SCLW Power List Medical Malpractice 2024

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MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

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JENNIFER SPRAGINS BURNETT MANAGING PARTNER HARBIN & BURNETT ANDERSON, S.C.

PERSONAL INJURY

When Jennifer Burnett started her career, she focused on defending nursing homes charged with abuse and neglect. Now, as managing partner at Harbin & Burnett in Anderson, she practices on the plaintiff’s side.

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“I was interested in medicine and enjoyed this type of litigation,” she says. “When I decided to switch sides to become a plaintiff’s lawyer, I knew I wanted to represent families of loved ones who had been neglected or abused at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.”

In 2023, Burnett completed a term as president of the South Carolina Association for Justice, a role she describes as the highlight of her career. She also is secretary of the Tucker W. Hipps Foundation, an organization that works to prevent hazing.

R. GERALD CHAMBERS JR.

Gerald Chambers did not set out to practice medical malpractice law; instead, he believes that area of law chose him. For one thing, it was a natural fit.

“My father was a dentist, and the practice of medicine was important to our family,” Chambers says.

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HEALTHCARE

Over the years, Burnett has learned valuable lessons in leadership, particularly when it comes to leading other lawyers.

“I have found that the most successful leaders support and encourage others to excel in their contributions, and that leadership is often about enabling others to shine,” she said

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Chambers started his career at a small defense firm in Beaufort, working for a partner who exclusively practiced medical malpractice law.

“I gravitated toward him and learned as much as possible,” he says, adding that the learning never stops.

“I learn something new from each case and have always liked digging into the medical aspects of a matter,” he says.

Chambers’ personal north star guides him toward client service. He spent 28 years in the Army and credits his military background with giving him a sense of resolve, integrity and commitment to results.

“And I try to treat each client as if they are my only one,” he says.

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LEE D. COPE PARTNER PARKER LAW GROUP HAMPTON, S.C.

Lee Cope’s extensive background in litigation has developed into a statewide practice, focusing primarily on nursing home litigation, medical malpractice, defective highways and defective products.

He also litigates cases on behalf of special needs children who have been abused and neglected at group homes or other similar facilities.

He is a partner at the Hampton offices of the Parker Law Group, a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a member of the South Carolina Bar House of Delegates.

A Lowcountry native, Cope was born in Fairfax, and grew up in Hampton. After graduating from Wade Hampton High School, he joined the Army and served as a military policeman in Germany and stateside.

After an honorable discharge from the military, he earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina.

FRANCIS M. “BRINK” HINSON IV CO-FOUNDER HINSON HILLER & PADGET COLUMBIA, S.C.

Growing up on a farm in Bennettsville, Brink Hinson set his sights on law school at an early age.

He thought he wanted to practice corporate law, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, and he started forging his career interests through clerkships.

“I was exposed to a little bit of transaction law and personal injury work,” he says. “I discovered that the business topics put me to sleep, but I found the personal injury cases fascinating.”

Today, Henson is co-founder of Hinson Hiller & Padget in Columbia, where he concentrates his practice on catastrophic injury and medical negligence. At the heart of his work is his desire to help people.

“Even as a child, I recall seeing that lawyers are who people look to when they have a problem, whether it’s tax problems, a wrongdoing by a business associate or criminal accusations, I knew when people are in trouble, they usually look to a lawyer,” he says.

ALISSA FLEMING SHAREHOLDER BAKER DONELSON CHARLESTON, S.C.

As an attorney and a registered nurse, Alissa Fleming uses her first-hand experience to understand her clients’ more significant challenges.

She is a shareholder at Baker Donelson in Charleston, where she represents large hospital systems, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospice providers, behavioral health providers, assisted living facilities, physicians and health care professionals.

Fleming was one of four shareholders who launched Baker Donelson’s office in Charleston in 2022. She is active in many state, local and national organizations and serves on the South Carolina Bar’s Health Care Law Section Council.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Virginia and her law degree from the University of Miami.

When clients need assistance with litigation, Fleming offers counsel at the trial and appellate levels, including jury and nonjury trials and hearings.

TOM A. KILLOREN JR. PARTNER

KD TRIAL LAWYERS SPARTANBURG, S.C.

Tom Killoren says his father is the best lawyer he’s ever known, and that’s what led him to practice law, too. He’s a partner at KD Trial Lawyers in Spartanburg and enjoys helping people who have been hurt or traumatized.

“My mission is to ensure that victims of medical malpractice or any other type of injury matter get the result they deserve in the court system,” he says. “Courts provide a critical vehicle allowing victims to explain their claims to 12 jurors in a public forum.”

Creating order out of chaos is Killoren’s secret to success as a leader.

“A well-organized plan can make all the difference in moving a case or a project forward,” he said.

Killoren says if he could give advice to novice attorneys, he would tell them to avoid letting defeat get in the way of the pursuit of justice.

“Not every case turns out the way we want, but it’s the continued effort to help those who need justice that makes this profession worthwhile,” he says.

CHAD A. Mc GOWAN

FOUNDING PARTNER

M c GOWAN, HOOD, FELDER AND PHILLIPS ROCK HILL, S.C.

Chad McGowan is on a mission to improve health care through his law practice. He says medical malpractice combines his interest in law and medicine with his desire to help families in need.

“There are so many avoidable mistakes, from bad systems to medical incompetence,” he says. “When bad things happen, rarely do I see any effort to ensure the same mistakes don’t happen again.”

McGowan is the founding partner at McGowan, Hood, Felder and Phillips in Rock Hill. He believes holding medical systems accountable will effectively bring about positive changes. He has had three $10-plus million jury verdicts in medical malpractice cases.

His advice to young attorneys is to have no fear of going to trial.

“You will lose, and you will win, but don’t be afraid of having a jury decide,” he said. “You will never be perfect but do your level best to be honest in intent, clear in your words and diligent in your preparation.”

SARAH M. “SALLY” PURNELL SHAREHOLDER

HAYNSWORTH SINKLER BOYD GREENVILLE, S.C.

Sally Purnell, a shareholder and trial attorney at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, focuses on defending health care professionals.

With more than 30 years experience, she defends and litigates medical malpractice claims. She has successfully tried many cases to verdict, including the most severe types of damages, including birth injuries, profound neurological impairment, and wrongful death cases.

Purnell also advises hospitals and physicians on risk management, informed consent, patient confidentiality and peer review.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in 1987 and went on to earn her law degree from the University of Alabama.

Today, she represents hospitals, physicians and other health care providers in a wide range of legal matters. She is a former board member of the Piedmont Health Foundation and Greenville Free Medical Clinic.

H. PATTERSON McWHIRTER PRESIDENT AND FOUNDING SHAREHOLDER McWHIRTER BELLINGER & ASSOCIATES COLUMBIA, S.C.

Pat McWhirter has dedicated his career to protecting the rights of injured people and has obtained tens of millions of dollars for his clients.

For over 45 years, he has been recognized as one of the leading injury lawyers in the country. He is the president and founding shareholder of McWhirter Bellinger & Associates.

Born and reared in Walterboro, McWhirter is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he earned his bachelor’s and law degrees.

After law school, McWhirter formed Hunter & McWhirter with James Earl Hunter, a general practice firm with an emphasis on personal injury law.

In 1977, McWhirter was elected by the Lexington County Bar Association as the public defender for Lexington County, a position he held for 14 years.

During his tenure as a public defender, he continued to build his law practice, and in 1986, formed the firm that became McWhirter & Associates. The firm has continued to grow ever since.

FRED W. “TREY” SUGGS III PARTNER

CASSIDY COATES PRICE GREENVILLE, S.C.

With over 20 years of experience defending health care professionals, corporations and individuals in high-stakes litigation, Trey Suggs has built a reputation as a passionate litigator in the Upstate.

He is a partner at Cassidy Coates Prices in Greenville, where he defends companies in medical malpractice and professional malpractice matters and represents professionals before licensing boards and in commercial and personal injury litigation cases.

For Suggs, this is his dream job.

“I have always been interested in being a balanced litigator, equipped to defend businesses and also seek justice on their behalf,” he says.

Suggs says he aspires to be regarded as the go-to, bet-the-company litigator, and having opportunities to help his clients through hardships and challenging times keeps him motivated.

“Whether we are actively litigating a dispute or providing counsel regarding complex decision-making, being able to provide legal and practical advice and support is extraordinarily rewarding,” he says.