Name Organization Speaking At
Ashby Jones
In 2023, Ashby was named by Super Lawyers as one of the Top 25 Lawyers in South Carolina. She is a graduate of Presbyterian College and the University of South Carolina School of Law. Ashby's focus is domestic litigation, though she has practiced extensively in Circuit Court and is licensed to practice in the United States District Court and the United States Supreme Court. Ashby is one of few South Carolina domestic practitioners admitted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, generally recognized by judges and attorneys as preeminent family law practitioners with a high level of knowledge, skill and integrity. Ashby is Board Certified in the area of Family Law by the National Board of Trial Advocates and in 2022 was inducted into the charter chapter of the South Carolina Family Law Inn of Court as a Master.
She is the Family Law Section chair of the South Carolina Association for Justice and a member of the Board of Trustees for the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association.
Ashby holds an AV Preeminent peer-review rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She has contributed to the SCAJ journal, The Bulletin, and the national magazine Family Lawyer. She was appointed by the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Lawyer-Neutral Member of the Commission on Alternative Dispute Resolution in 2022 and sits on the Advisory Board for the Lexington District One Center for Law and Global Policy Development. She speaks regularly at continuing legal education seminars.
Ashby has been named a Super Lawyers Selectee on numerous occasions as well as one of the Best Lawyers in America on three occasions. She is a 2022 recipient of the University of South Carolina Compleat Lawyer Award, which recognizes alumni for their outstanding civic and professional accomplishments, significant contributions to the legal profession, and those who exemplify the highest standards of professional competence, ethics, and integrity.
Ashby Jones and Associates LLC
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Barbara Seymour
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Ernest Jarrett
The Honorable Ernest J. Jarrett was born in Kingstree, South Carolina to William “Billy” Jarrett and Mattie “Beezie” Jarrett.”
Judge Jarrett graduated from Williamsburg Academy in 1985,
going on to attend Wofford College, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree in
1989. In 1992, Judge Jarrett received his Juris Doctor degree from the
University of South Carolina School of Law.
Following law school graduation, Judge Jarrett returned to
his hometown of Kingstree, where he was the managing partner of Jenkinson,
Jarrett and Kellahan, P.A. Judge Jarrett spent his 28 years practicing
primarily family law and was selected by his peers as one of the Super Lawyers
by Super Lawyer magazine in 2020.
Judge Jarrett has served on the Williamsburg County Bar
Association, the Georgetown County Bar Association, the South Carolina
Association for Justice, the Family Law Section Council of the South Carolina
Bar, the Supreme Court Commission on Docketing – Family Court Committee, the
South Carolina Bench-Bar Committee, and the South Carolina Bar Resolution of
Fee Disputes Board. In 2018 – 2019, Judge Jarrett served as Chairperson of the
Family Law Section Council of the South Carolina Bar.
Judge Jarrett is actively involved in his community. He has
been President of Kingstree Rotary, served on the Williamsburg County First
Steps Board, and served on the Tri-County Regional Development Board. He is an
active member of Kingstree United Methodist Church.
He is married to Josette Jarrett and they have three
children, Kyle, Katie and Winston, and two granddaughters Scottie and Evie.
Judge Jarrett was elected by the South Carolina Legislature as a Family Court Judge, Third Judicial Circuit, to fill the term of the Honorable Gordon B. Jenkinson who retired.
S.C. Judicial Branch
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Harris Williams
Judge H. Bruce Williams was born in Columbia, South Carolina on March 13, 1956. His parents are the late Edna Richardson Harris and the late H. Lanier Williams.
He attended public schools in Columbia and received a bachelor's degree in English and Government in 1978 from Wofford College. While at Wofford, Judge Williams served as President of the Student Body and the student representative to the Board of Trustees. He was selected to the Blue Key Honor Society and the Senior Order of Gnomes. In 1982, he graduated from the University Of South Carolina School Of Law.
After graduation from law school, Judge Williams was in private practice until 1995. During that time, he served as a part-time Associate Town Judge in Irmo, South Carolina for four years (1991-1995). In addition, he served two terms on the Board of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association for the Family Law Section.
Judge Williams was elected to the Fifth Judicial District Family Court in 1995. During his tenure as a family court judge, Judge Williams served as president of the South Carolina Conference of Family Court Judges as well as secretary-treasurer. He has presided over the Richland County Juvenile Drug Court since its inception in January 1997. In 1998 at the Governor's Conference on Youth Crime, he was awarded the Program Achievement Award for Juvenile Drug Court.
Judge Williams also served as President of the Columbia Kiwanis Club. While a member of the Kiwanis Club, he volunteered as the advisor for the Columbia High School Key Club (1983 -1995). In November 2011, the Columbia Urban League presented Judge Williams with the distinguished Ethel M. Bolden Community Service Award.
He received the Richland County Bar Association Matthew J. Perry Civility Award in November 2012. Since 2012, Judge Williams has been an adjunct professor at the USC School of Law. In addition, he has served as faculty for numerous judicial and bar sponsored continuing legal education seminars and programs
Judge Williams was elected to the South Carolina Court of Appeals in May 2004. He is a member of the South Carolina Bar and is admitted to practice in all South Carolina courts as well as the U.S. District Court for South Carolina. He and his wife reside in Columbia and have two daughters. He enjoys golfing, cooking, and experiencing great barbeque from around the country.
S.C. Court of Appeals
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James McLaren
James T. McLaren has been listed in The Best Lawyers
in America for nearly two decades. He is listed in the S.C.
Super Lawyers publication under the Family Law designation. He and his
firm have received the highest rating ("AV"), afforded lawyers for
legal ability and ethics, in the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory .
His statewide practice primarily involves complex
matrimonial litigation and trial work in addition to dispute resolution
including mediation and arbitration as an American Academy of Matrimonial
Lawyers - Certified Mediator and Arbitrator.
He has held numerous positions affiliated with Family Law
including admission as a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers,
where he is currently serving as National President and on various committees.
He is a Fellow in the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He
has served as President of the South Carolina Chapter of the International
Network of Boutique Law Firms since 2007. He has served as President of the
South Carolina Chapter and National Delegate. He is a Diplomate in the American
College of Family Trial Lawyers. He has served as chair of the Family Law
Sections of the South Carolina Bar, the South Carolina Trial Lawyer’s
Association (now the American Association for Justice), and the Richland County
Bar Association. He is a longstanding member of the Family Law Sections of the
American Bar Association, the American Association For Justice, the South
Carolina Bar, the South Carolina Association For Justice, and the Richland
County Bar Association. Mr. McLaren has authored numerous articles and has been
a speaker in over 95 Family Law Continuing Legal Education Seminars, including
state and national Judicial Conferences and New Family Court Judges Schools. He
also co-authored important Legislation that impacts Family Law in South
Carolina.
Private Practice:
Founding
Partner, McLaren & Lee, Attorneys-at-Law Statewide
practice limited to Family Law matters (private practice established 1976)
Offices Held:
American
Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, National (President, 2014-2015;
President-Elect 2013-2014; First Vice President, 2012- 2013; Vice
President, 2008-2012; Secretary 2007; Executive Committee, 2007-2014;
Board of Governors, 2005-2006; Board of Directors, AAML Foundation,
2007-2012; Special Advisor, AAML Foundation, 2013-2014). American
Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, National (Chair/Member, Law Office
Management Committee, 2005-2012; Member, Admissions Procedures Committee,
2004-2007; Co-Chair/Member, Website Committee, 2005-2012; CLE Chair,
2010-2011; Member, Continuing Legal Education Committee, 2006-2007;
Member, ALI Commission, 2006-2007; Member, Best Practices Committee,
2008-2011; AAML Sales and Marketing Committee, 2007-2008; Member,
Executive Committee Sponsorship, 2008; Chair/Member, Nominating Committee,
2008-2009, 2013/14; Chair/Member, Policies Committee, 2011-2013; Member,
Post-Nuptial and Cohabitation Agreements Committee, 2011-2013;
Chair/Member, Strategic Plan Implementation Committee, 2011-2014; Member,
Social Media Committee, 2011-2012; Member, Webinar Committee, 2011-2012;
Chair/Member, AAML/ABA FLS, 2012-2014; Co-Chair, Council of Committee
Chairs, 2012-2013; Chair/Member, Publications Review Committee, 2012-2014;
Chair/Member, Contracts Committee, 2012-2014; Policy Publication
Committee, 2013-2014; Website and Technology Committee Liaison, 2013-2014;
Chair, National Admissions Board of Examiners, 2013-2014). American
Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, South Carolina Chapter (President
2001-2002; President-Elect, 1999-2000; Vice President 1997-98; National
Delegate to Board of Governors, 2005-2007) International
Network of Boutique Law Firms, SC Chapter President, 2007-2014 South
Carolina Bar, Family Law Section (Chair, 1991-92; Chair-Elect,1990-91;
Secretary, 1989-90; Section Delegate, 1995-96; Council, 1988-95) South
Carolina Bar, Practice and Procedure Committee (Chair, Family Law
Sub-Committee, 1989-1995; Chair, Sub- Committee on Jurisdiction in the
Family Courts, 1979-80) South
Carolina Bar, Lawyer-Accountant Relationship Committee (Chair, 1998-99) South
Carolina Association for Justice (formerly SC Trial Lawyers Association),
Family Law Section (Co-Chair, Family Court Judicial Liaison, 1983-1986;
Chair, 1983-84; Vice-Chair, 1982-83; Secretary, 1981-82;
Treasurer,1980-81)
Distinctions:
Certified
Matrimonial Mediation Trained, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers,
1995. Certified
Family Court Mediator, SC Bar and Dispute Resolution Services, 1995. Certified
Matrimonial Arbitrator Trained, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers,
2000. Named,
2007 Fellow of the Year, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers of
Matrimonial Lawyers. Named, The
Best Lawyers in America , Family Law designation, 1993 through 2015
Editions. Named, South
Carolina Super Lawyers , 2008-2014 Named,
Legal Elite of the Midlands, Columbia Business Monthly, 2013-2014. Named,
Legal Elite, Greater Columbia Business Monthly, 2011-2012. Supreme
Court Appointee, South Carolina Symposium - Families In Court, sponsored
by National Association of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 1991. Lecturer,
New Family Court Judges Orientation School, 2004-2005 Received
"AV" designation from Martindale Hubbell , 1996-2014. McLaren
& Lee, 2009-2014 Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers . Medical
University of South Carolina , Board of Visitors, 2000-2004
Contributing Author:
South
Carolina Equitable Apportionment Act, §20-7-471, et. seq., S.C. Code of
Laws South
Carolina Alimony Statute, §20-3-130, S.C. Code of Laws South
Carolina Family Court Handbook, 1992, 1993 and 1996 Editions
Speaker:
Various
Family Law topics, South Carolina Bar, South Carolina Trial Lawyers
Association, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and Mandatory
Judicial and Continuing Legal Education Seminars.
Preparatory and Legal Education:
University
of South Carolina, B.A., 1973 University
of South Carolina School of Law, J.D., 1976
Bar Admissions:
South
Carolina Bar, 1976 U.S.
Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit, 1976 U.S.
District Court, South Carolina District, 1976 U.S.
Supreme Court, 2005
Bar and Professional Memberships:
American
Bar Association, Family Law Section The
American Association for Justice, Family Law Section South
Carolina Bar Association, Family Law Section South
Carolina Association for Justice, Family Law Section Richland
County Bar Association, Family Law Section American
Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Certified Fellow American
College of Family Trial Lawyers, Diplomate International
Network of Boutique Law Firms, SC Chapter President
McLaren & Lee
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Jamie Szarek
A native of northeastern Kansas, Francie Szarek holds a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Georgia Southern University. Prior to Law School, Francie worked as a paralegal with Quindlen Law Firm, having assisted in Criminal Defense, Military Criminal Defense, and Family Court matters. Francie attended Law School at the Charleston School of Law in Charleston, South Carolina, graduating Cum Laude with Presidential Honors.
Francie focuses her practice on Family Law including custody, visitation, and divorce. She is an active member of the South Carolina bar and is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division, Family Law Section, and the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association.
Francie is married and has an adult step-daughter, a son, and a boxer pit bull mix named Keyser Söze. She enjoys cooking and entertaining a crowd, live music, and growing her vintage vinyl record collection.
Quindlen Law Firm, P.A.
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Jonathan Lounsberry
Jonathan W. Lounsberry joined KD Trial Lawyers in 2021 and is a member of the firm’s family law team. As a Fellow in the International Academy of Family Lawyers and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, his has extensive experience in complex family court litigation and international family law issues, with a particular focus on international child abduction and cross-border custody issues pursuant to the 1980 Hague Convention.
Jonathan received a B.A. in Philosophy and Political
Science from the University of South Carolina (2006) and his J.D. from the
Charleston School of Law (2009). He is admitted to practice in South Carolina,
the District of South Carolina, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth
Circuit. He has authored and co-authored articles regarding the practice of
family law and the use of technology in litigation for the South Carolina
Lawyer, the ABA Section of Family Law’s Family Advocate, the ABA Section of
Litigation’s Family Law Litigation Newsletter, and the International Academy of
Family Lawyers’ Online News. Jonathan is
also the Principal Editor of the South Carolina Children’s Law Resource Manual
(2014) and Co-Author of Family Law Essentials: A Primer for Private Practice Before
the Family Court in South Carolina (2018), both publications of the SC Bar CLE
Division.
Killoren, Kissinger, Dantin, Denton & Dunham, P.C.
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Krystal Watson
Krystal is the President and CEO of Project R.E.S.T. a 501(c)(3) domestic violence and sexual assault agency providing shelter, personal and legal advocacy as well as therapy services to victims in Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union counties.
Krystal previously worked as a Staff Attorney at Project R.E.S.T. while operating her law practice, K. LAWS, LLC, a Real Estate, Family Law, and Estate Planning law firm she founded in 2020.
Krystal obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Norfolk State University and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Krystal is licensed to practice law in both South Carolina and Michigan.
Prior to opening her law practice, K.
LAWS, LLC, Krystal served as the Managing Attorney at South Carolina Legal
Services, Inc. in Spartanburg, and Rock Hill.
As a civil legal aid attorney, Krystal devoted her legal career to representing low-income families, victims of domestic violence and senior citizens in civil matters such as divorces, custody disputes, adoptions, as well as defending evictions, foreclosures, and other property disputes.
Over the years, Krystal has volunteered as a speaker for the SC Bar’s Law School for Non-Lawyer’s program as well as other legal clinics and educational series offered to the public by the South Carolina Bar. Krystal is very passionate about ensuring equal access to civil legal assistance for all South Carolinians.
Krystal currently serves on the SC Bar
Board of Governors, At-Large Member, and has served on the SC Bar House of
Delegates, for the 7th Circuit, since 2020.
Project R.E.S.T.
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Marie-Louise Ramsdale
Marie-Louise
is the principal lawyer of Ramsdale Family Law in Mount Pleasant, South
Carolina, and practices solely in the area of family law. A cum laude graduate
of Harvard Law School, she has served as President of the South Carolina Bar
Foundation, as Chair of the South Carolina Bar Family Law Section Council, and
as a member of numerous committees of the South Carolina Bar. Marie-Louise
holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She is a frequent speaker at legal
education programs on family law issues. She is also working to address
wellness issues for members of the legal profession through the Charleston
County Bar.
Ramsdale Law Firm
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Mary Fran Quindlen
Mary Fran Quindlen holds two bachelor's degrees in History and English from Rutgers University. She received her law degree from the University of South Carolina in 1998, where she was a member of Women in Law and the Phi Alpha Delta Fraternity. Following her admission to the South Carolina Bar, Mary Fran practiced as a Marine Corps Judge Advocate serving as a Legal Assistance Attorney and Defense Counsel. She continued to serve in the United States Marine Corps Reserve until May of 2006 when she resigned her commission as a Major. After her release from active duty in 2002, Mary Fran became an Associate at Harvey & Battey, P.A. in Beaufort, South Carolina. She worked as their family law practitioner until 2005 when she opened her own practice in Beaufort. Mary Fran's practice is concentrated in the areas of Military and Family Law, to include custody, visitation and divorce. Mary Fran is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, the International Academy of Family Lawyers, is a Member of the South Carolina Family Law Council, and serves on the South Carolina Bar's Fee Dispute Resolution Board. Mary Fran has been qualified as an expert in South Carolina Family Courts regarding military matters related to divorce and she teaches military family law CLE's around the country
Quindlen Law Firm, P.A.
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Patricia Dimsdale
Patricia joined the Kidd law firm as an associate attorney with an interest in family law. Patricia received her undergraduate degree from West Virginia State University and from there, pursued a master's degree from Marshall University. After receiving her Master's, she spent four years teaching where she cultivated a deep desire to advocate for children and the flourishing of families. This passion continued to grow, leading her to attend Charleston School of Law and graduating in 2022.
She is now continuing to help others and serve the community through her position at Kidd Law Firm where she focuses her attention on Personal Injury and Criminal Defense. Whether it is communicating directly with a client, writing memorandums, or advocating in court, Patricia gives everything she has to provide each client with the best possible experience and outcome. You can feel confident that with Patricia as your attorney, you will receive compassionate and competent representation from start to finish.
Outside of the office, Patricia enjoys spending time with her daughter Charlotte, while also making time for softball and volleyball.
Kidd Law Firm, LLC
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Reid Sherard
Reid Sherard leads Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd’s Family Law practice group. He concentrates his time in complex divorce-related litigation, particularly involving significant assets, income, valuation, or other challenging financial issues as well as contested custody matters, interstate and international jurisdiction disputes, and premarital and postnuptial agreements. He enjoys helping individuals find solutions to difficult personal problems, whether through negotiated settlement or in trial. Reid is sensitive to the private nature of the matters he handles and recognizes the importance of each case.
Reid is based in Greenville, his hometown, but practices across
the state. He is frequently requested to speak on family law issues at
statewide seminars.
Reid is listed in The Best Lawyers in America® and South Carolina
Super Lawyers (top 25 in the state for 2017, 2018, and 2020, and 2021,
regardless of practice area), and enjoys the AV Preeminent® Rating by
Martindale-Hubbell. Reid’s peers have
recognized him as the top attorney vote getter for Greenville Business Magazine
Legal Elite for six consecutive years.
Reid is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and is
a certified family court mediator. Reid
received both the Distinguished Honors Alumni Award from the USC Honors College
and the USC School of Law’s Compleat Lawyer Award (Silver).
Reid also maintains a litigation and appellate practice. He has tried cases in the family court, federal district and magistrate court, and various state and local courts. He has argued ten appeals, including in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, the South Carolina Supreme Court, and the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
Before joining Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, Reid practiced for 15
years at an AmLaw 100 firm. He is a
graduate of the nationally recognized Family Law Trial Institute in Houston,
Texas. Reid commenced his career as a law clerk to the late Hon. G. Ross
Anderson, Jr., U.S. District Judge for the District of South Carolina.
Reid currently serves as President-Elect of the Greenville County
Bar Association, as the Chair of the 2022 American Heart Association Upstate
Heart Walk, and Member of both the SC Bar Family Law Section Council and House
of Delegates. He previously served as
President of the Board of Directors of A Child’s Haven.
Education:
University of South Carolina School of Law, JD (2004)
University of Aberdeen, Scotland, MLitt, with distinction (2001)
University of South Carolina, Honors College, BA, magna cum laude (2000)
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA
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Rosalyn Frierson-Smith
The Honorable Rosalyn Frierson-Smith
SC Family Court
Columbia, SC
Rosalyn Woodson Frierson-Smith, a native of Columbia, S.C., is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. She was appointed Director of South Carolina Court Administration by the South Carolina Supreme Court, serving from 1998 until June, 2017, having previously served as a S.C. Supreme Court Staff Attorney, Law Clerk to former Chief Justice Ernest A. Finney, Jr. and Research/Budget Analyst for the Ways and Means Committee of the S.C. House of Representatives. She also served as a substitute Municipal Court Judge for the City of Columbia. On February 1, 2017, she was elected by the S. C. General Assembly to the Family Court Bench.
She is a member of the S.C. Bar Association, American Bar Association, Richland County Bar Association, S.C. Black Lawyers Association and S. C. Women Lawyers Association, having served as President of SCWLA in 2007. She formerly served on the House of Delegates for both the S.C. Bar Association and American Bar Association. She served as President of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) and Vice-Chair of the National Center for State Courts in 2011.
Judge Frierson-Smith received the Richland County Bar Association Civic Star Award in 2002. In 2014 she was inducted into the National Center for State Courts Warren E. Burger Society and in 2015 was selected as a South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leadership in Law Honoree. She was selected as a recipient of the 2016 Gold Compleat Lawyer Award given by the USC School of Law Alumni Council. She was the 2017 COSCA Kenneth R. Palmer Distinguished Service Award recipient.
Judge Frierson Smith currently is a member of the Commission on Judicial Conduct, Family Court Bench Bar Committee, S.C. Children's Justice Act Task Force, and Supreme Court Committee on Private Guardian ad Litem Issues.
S.C. Judicial Branch
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