What It TakesThe Golden Rolodex: Stagnation and Succession in Defense Law Firms The world of defense law firms can be a gilded cage. Senior partners, armed with years of experience and a rolodex overflowing with client contacts, reign supreme. But what happens when this system creates a logjam, preventing the transfer of both knowledge and firm business to the next generation? Senior partners, often the rainmakers of the firm, become entrenched, holding onto clients with an iron grip. This creates a barrier for junior lawyers. While some juniors possess the rare talent for independent client d ..read more

Attorney Justin C. Lawlor has joined the Retail & Hospitality Practice Group of lawyers at Collins & Lacy, PC. Lawlor graduated from the University of South Carolina’s School of Law. He served as an intern, law clerk and paralegal at Collins & Lacy prior to being admitted to practice. Receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in mechanical engineering, Lawlor has proved to be an excellent legal researcher and writer, authoring some of the firm’s most accessed blog content. In the firm’s Retail & Hospitality practice group, he will join forces wit ..read more

Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix and current executive chairman, has become synonymous with innovation and disruption. But beyond revolutionizing entertainment streaming, Hastings has built a company admired for its unique culture and relentless pursuit of excellence. At the heart of this success lies a core philosophy that challenges traditional thinking: attracting and retaining incredible people and fostering a high-performing team environment – not a familial one. Hastings elaborated on his hiring, retention, and employee development philosophies in a recent interview with the author a ..read more

It isn’t often that South Carolina is featured at the forefront of data privacy legislation news, but online child safety has taken center stage at the South Carolina Statehouse with the introduction of House Bill 4842, the “South Carolina Age-Appropriate Design Code Act.” This legislation draws inspiration from California and other states’ ongoing efforts to establish similar protections, and it’s crucial for South Carolina business and consumers to understand both the potential impact and the historical context surrounding this bill.   California’s Pioneering Efforts: California’s ..read more

In the aftermath of an alcohol-related incident, when questions of liability arise, the stakes are high for both the claimant and the subject establishment accused of wrongdoing. South Carolina’s “dram shop” framework allows injured parties to hold permit holders accountable for serving alcohol to intoxicated individuals or minors. Successfully navigating these complex cases requires meticulous attention to detail and a solid grasp of three key elements, as established in the landmark 2010 South Carolina Supreme Court case, Hartfield v. Getaway Lounge, 388 S.C. 407, 697 S.E.2d 558 (2010). &nbs ..read more

Attorney Jamie E. Wilson has joined the Retail & Hospitality Practice Group of lawyers at Collins & Lacy, PC. An experienced litigator, Wilson graduated from the University of South Carolina’s Joseph F. Rice School of Law. She has served as defense attorney at a Columbia, SC law firm; an attorney for the SC Supreme Court’s Office of Disciplinary Counsel; and an attorney in the Richland County’s Public Defender’s Office. Receiving her undergraduate degree from Wofford College, she pursued a career in Elementary teaching through the Teach Across America program. While studying for her LS ..read more

In civil litigation, a defense lawyer’s most crucial task in case handling is to develop a comprehensive “risk portrait” for their clients as they address their response to a litigated claim. Far from being a mere collection of legal details, the risk portrait is a meticulously crafted roadmap that is not only written, but also spoken through clear, concise language. The risk portrait guides strategic decision-making and navigates the complexities of each case.   Demystifying the Risk Portrait: What It Really IsAt its core, the risk portrait serves as a holistic assessment of the client’s ..read more

Attorney Michael C. Bunda has joined the Retail & Hospitality Practice Group of lawyers at Collins & Lacy, PC. An experienced litigator, Bunda graduated from the University of South Carolina’s Joseph F. Rice School of Law. He has served as an Assistant Public Defender for Richland Country and as a Principal Attorney for another Columbia law firm. Bunda’s experience brings significant depth to Collins & Lacy’s courtroom bench strength. “Mike is a talented trial advocate who has lived in the courtroom during his career and will be a strong asset for our clients who elect to take thei ..read more

Collins & Lacy, P.C. attorney Jacob A. Flowers has earned recognition as a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) from The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). Earning this certification in privacy laws and regulations, and how to apply them, prepares attorneys to best serve the information economy. A CIPP/US credential arms legal professionals with a foundational understanding of broad global concepts of privacy and data protection law and practice, including jurisdictional laws, regulations and enforcement models; essential privacy concepts and princip ..read more

Collins & Lacy, P.C. is pleased to announce the elevation of attorney Kelsey Brudvig to Voting Shareholder status. Joining Collins & Lacy in 2016, Kelsey received her undergraduate degree at the University of Kentucky and earned her Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, at the Charleston School of Law. Prior to joining Collins & Lacy, she served as a staff attorney at the South Carolina Supreme Court. At Collins & Lacy, she has distinguished herself defending national and regional leaders in the retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors. Firm President Christian Stegmai ..read more