- Child Custody and VisitationAnthony H. v. Matthew G., 397 S.C. 447, 725 S.E.2d 132 (Ct. App. 2012) (reversal of family court’s termination of biological father’s parental rights where family court lacked jurisdiction under the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act to terminate father’s parental rights and grant stepfather’s petition to adopt the child)
- Criminal DefenseMs. Engels earned her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina (UofSC) School of Law in May 2021. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clemson University in 2018. During law school, Ms. Engels was a Peer Mentor for the Student Bar Association, was a member of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, was Associate Justice for Mock Trial, was a member of the Women in the Law Association, served as a student attorney in the Domestic Violence Clinical program, and served as a research assistant.
- Wrongful DeathObtained a directed verdict in the defense of a wrongful death case filed by the parents of a sixteen-year old who allegedly became intoxicated at work.
- Drug CrimesState v. Hewins, 409 S.C. 93, 760 S.E.2d 814 (2014) (reversal of defendant’s drug possession conviction where evidence was discovered during unlawful search in violation of the Fourth Amendment)
- Murder
- Kidnapping
- Corporate LawKatherine E. “Katie” Engels joined Richardson Plowden in the Columbia office as an associate attorney in 2021. Ms. Engels focuses her practice in Corporate Law.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsDuring law school, Mr. Berthelsen received the CALI Award in Mergers & Acquisitions. He was also a Moot Court Intraschool competition finalist. Mr. Berthelsen is a member of the South Carolina Bar and the Louisiana Bar.
- Business DisputesCum laude, in 2014 from the College of Charleston Honors College. During law school, Mr. Adams served as a Dean’s Fellow to the Chair of the Business Law Program. He was also a student attorney, where he represented clients related to unemployment benefits appeals before the Washington, D.C. Office of Administrative Hearings. Mr. Adams is a member of the South Carolina Bar, North Carolina Bar, and Richland County Bar Association.
- Business TransactionsFor 25 years, Rated AV Preeminent® for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability, Martindale-Hubbell American Jurisprudence Award in Commercial transactions and Domestic Relations
- Construction Contracts
- Trade Secrets
- Workers Compensation
- Employment Discrimination
- Employment ContractLitigating Title VII and other federal and state employment claims (discrimination, harassment, retaliation); "restrictive covenant" issues such as trade secret, non-competition and non-solicitation claims; wage and hour claims; FMLA and benefits claims; employee handbook claims; teacher and state employee grievances and employment contract claims; civil rights issues, such as fair housing, First Amendment retaliation and 42 USC § 1983 claims.
- Employment Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Premises LiabilityR. Wilder Harte is a shareholder of Richardson Plowden. He joined the Firm in the Columbia office in 2017. He is a member of the General Litigation Team, and his practice includes civil litigation defense, including automobile negligence and commercial transportation claims, premises liability cliams, products liability, dram shop, and electric and gas utility claims.
- Construction LitigationJames E. Haarsgaard joined Richardson Plowden as an associate attorney in the Charleston office in 2020. He is a member of the Richardson Plowden General Litigation Practice Group and Construction Law Practice Group. He earned his Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law. During law school, Mr. Haarsgaard attended the University of South Carolina School of Law for the 2014-15 academic school year.
- Real Estate Transactions410 S.C. 319, 764 S.E.2d 701 (2014) (in real estate transaction dispute, obtained affirmance of trial court’s grant of summary judgment to purchaser on developer’s counterclaims for slander of title, unfair trade practices, abuse of process, malicious prosecution, breach of contract accompanied by a fraudulent act, and tortious interference with prospective contractual relations)
- Easement
- Personal InjuryLeslie A. Cotter, Jr., is a shareholder of Richardson Plowden in the Columbia office. He focuses his practice on professional (legal, accounting, medical) malpractice defense, insurance defense litigation, mediation/arbitration, employment and civil rights litigation, products liability and personal injury defense, and governmental liability defense.
- Medical MalpracticeChristopher R. McKeown joined Richardson Plowden in the Columbia office as an associate attorney in 2021. Mr. McKeown focuses his practice in Medical Malpractice Defense.
- Estate PlanningMr. McKeown earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina (UofSC) School of Law in May 2018. During law school, Mr. McKeown was the Associate Editor-in-Chief of the ABA Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Journal. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business and Enterprise Management from Wake Forest University in May 2012.
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureSuccessfully tried and subsequently argued the appeal in the South Carolina Supreme Court of a multi-million dollar commercial foreclosure case.
- Tax LawSouth Carolina Super Lawyers. In addition to being selected in multiple years as one of the Midlands Legal Elite for Tax Law by