WJCB LAW - Key Persons
Abby Edwards Saunders is the Managing Attorney for the firm's Myrtle Beach, South Carolina office. Her practice primarily focuses on Construction Defect Litigation. Abby works closely with Architects and Engineers in her representation of Developers, General Contractors, and Subcontractors. Her portfolio also includes Complex Tort Litigation; Defamation; Aviation; Products Liability; Professional Liability; Catastrophic Parasailing Accidents; Boating Accidents; Coverage; Bad Faith; Real Estate Litigation; Transportation and Trucking; Mediation; Premises Liability; Subrogation; and Nursing Home Abuse. She is also certified as a SC Circuit Court Mediator.
Abby is a Summa Cum Laude and First Honor Graduate of the College of Charleston where her peers elected her Student Body President. She earned her law degree with Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the North Carolina Journal of International Law & Commercial Regulation. She was also inducted into the Davis Society at UNC, a prestigious honor afforded to a few that recognizes "integrity, leadership, dedication, and service." Abby has an Executive LLM in Taxation from New York University.
Abby was a Legal Educator for many years at the Charleston School of Law, where she was the Dean of Students, Director of Lawyering Skills & Professional Development and the Title IX Coordinator. In addition to her Deanship, she taught Advanced Civil Procedure; Aviation Law; Critical Practice Skills and Law Practice Management & Economics. She has made numerous presentations on legal education across the country. In 2019, Abby was appointed by the Supreme Court to the South Carolina Board of Bar Examiners. In 2022, the South Carolina Bar Board of Governors appointed her to serve as a Fifteenth Circuit Delegate in the House of Delegates. She was reappointed for a two year term as a Fifteenth Circuit Delegate in the House of Delegates to begin July 1, 2024. In 2023, she was named an Emeritus Member of the Petigru Inn of Court in Charleston, South Carolina. She serves as a Past President of the Horry County Bar Association; Immediate Past President of the Coastal American Inn of Court; and has served on the South Carolina Bar Judicial Qualifications Committee.
Abby and her husband, Mark, love living in Horry County, traveling, listening to live music, offshore fishing, and spending time at the beach and on the water with family and friends. Abby is a Yoga Alliance Certified Yoga Teacher and enjoys teaching Yoga at her Yoga Studio (Coastal Bliss Yoga and Wellness) in North Myrtle Beach. She also teaches Power Yoga on the Beach.
Amy C. Pagani practices in the firm's Raleigh, North Carolina office where she serves as the Managing Attorney. She received her B.S. in Business Economics from Miami University in 2009 and her J.D/MBA from Capital University in 2014 with a concentration in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Amy also served as a mediator in small claims court for two years while in law school. She practiced for two years as in-house counsel focusing on international compliance and contract law before focusing exclusively on workers' compensation. She was admitted to the bar in Ohio in 2014 and North Carolina in 2016. Amy is a member of both the North Carolina and Ohio Bar Associations.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Cincinnati, Amy is happy to call North Carolina home. Amy has two children, Ryleigh and Myles. Outside of her practice, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Andrew MacLeod practices in the firm's Columbia, South Carolina office. After receiving his B.A. degree in History from Furman University in 2002, Andrew earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2005. He is a former law clerk to the late Honorable Marc Westbrook in Lexington, South Carolina, as well as The Honorable Bruce Williams of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Andrew is admitted to practice in State and Federal Courts in South Carolina, and is also admitted to practice in the District of Columbia. Prior to joining Willson, Jones, Carter & Baxley, Andrew gained experience in securities litigation and regulation, corporate real estate and telecommunications law, and insurance defense.
Andrew was born in Columbia, South Carolina, raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, and resides again in Columbia, South Carolina with his wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters, Marjorie and Amelia. He is an active member of Downtown Church, and stays busy with his kids' activities as well as his own more than occasional tennis matches.
Andrew S. Raynal practices workers' compensation defense in the firm's Greenville, South Carolina office. He earned his B.A. degree in Spanish from Presbyterian College and his J.D. degree from the Charleston School of Law. He is a former law clerk to the late Honorable James W. Johnson, Jr. of the South Carolina Circuit Court.
Andrew was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in November 2007 and is a member of the South Carolina Bar and the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Association.
Andrew grew up in Clinton, SC and is a lifelong South Carolina resident. He is a proud uncle to a niece and two nephews. Out of the office, Andrew enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, cooking, listening to live music, and supporting local athletics.
Andrew T. Smith is a workers' compensation defense attorney in the firm's Charleston, South Carolina office. He earned his B.A. from the College of Charleston and his J.D., summa cum laude, from the Charleston School of Law. While in law school, Andrew served as the student works editor for the Charleston Law Review and competed on the Moot Court Board and Trial Advocacy Board.
Prior to joining the firm, Andrew practiced in the areas of workers' compensation, employment law, and general tort liability. Andrew is admitted to practice in state and federal court in South Carolina and before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Andrew is also a member of the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Association.
Andrew grew up in Easley, South Carolina. Prior to law school, Andrew served as an infantryman in the United States Marine Corps from 2008 to 2012. Outside of his practice, he enjoys spending time with his family, going to the beach, and watching college football.
Angela (Angie) D. Zachary is a workers' compensation defense attorney in the firm's Charlotte, North Carolina office. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in Political Science from Elon University in 2007 and her Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law in 2010.
Anne Veatch Noonan practices in the firm's Charleston, South Carolina office. Anne earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina where she also earned a Minor in Spanish and a Cognate in Education in 1996. She received her J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1999 where she was a member of the Student Bar Association and an officer in the Environmental Law Society.
Anne was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1999 and is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association and the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Association. She was named to US News Best Lawyers® for Workers' Compensation Law in 2018 - 2022 and Charleston Lawyer of the Year for Workers' Compensation Law (Employers) in 2020. Anne is a past Chairman of the Workers' Compensation Section of the South Carolina Bar. She is also a Certified SC Civil Court Mediator.
Anne lives in Mt. Pleasant with her husband, Jimmy. They have four grown children Mairin, Ashlin, Kellan, and Ryann along with three dogs (Daisy, Freya, and Dublin). In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, sports, and long distance hiking. She is deathly afraid of sharks.
Ashley E. Earnhart practices in the firm's Raleigh, North Carolina office. She received her B.A. degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science, with a minor in Psychology, from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2006 and her J.D. degree from Charlotte School of Law in 2011, where she was a member of the Trial Advocacy Team. Ashley was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 2011 and is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association. She practices exclusively in the area of workers' compensation defense.
Ashley is a Charlotte native who lives in Raleigh with her husband, Lee, who is also an attorney. They have two children, Gabriel and Gwyneth. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys live music, yoga, and spending time outdoors.
Benjamin M. Renfrow is a workers' compensation defense attorney in the firm's Greenville, South Carolina office. He received his B.A. degree from Wofford College, where he lettered in baseball for four years. He received his J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law where he was a member of the Moot Court Bar.
Ben was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2004 and is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association and the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Education Association. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Education Association, a member of the Greenville Little League Board of Directors and a former member of the Wofford College Terrier Club Board of Directors. Ben holds an AV Preeminent rating from LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell indicating the highest level of ethical and professional excellence. Ben was named to Greenville Business Magazine Legal Elite for Workers' Compensation in 2017, 2020 and 2021. He was also named to US News Best Lawyers® for Workers' Compensation Law in 2019-2022.
Ben was born and raised in Dillon, South Carolina and moved to Greenville in 2006 with his wife Dr. Jocelyn Renfrow and son Brayden. Since being in Greenville he has added two beautiful children, Ella Wallace and Hampton. He is a member of Grace Community Church and enjoys time with his family and coaching baseball. Ben is one of eleven kids and also enjoys spending time with his siblings and sixty to seventy nieces and nephews. He also co-owns The Landon Powell Hit House and Landon Powell Baseball Academy.
Callie Ivey is a workers' compensation defense attorney in the firm's Greenville, South Carolina office. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Wofford College and her J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. While in law school, Callie was a member of the South Carolina Association for Criminal Defense Lawyers, a Peer Mentor to incoming law students, and made the Dean's List.
Callie was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2022, and she is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association and the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Association.
Callie is originally from Gaffney and now lives in Greenville. Outside of the office, Callie enjoys spending time with her rescue dog, Jack, and her husband. She also enjoys hiking, cooking, and going to CycleBar for spin classes.
Casey R. Simmons is a workers' compensation defense attorney in the firm's Charlotte, North Carolina office. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia Wesleyan University and her Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law.
Casey was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 2020 and is a member of the North Carolina State Bar, North Carolina Bar Association, and the Mecklenburg County Bar Association.
Casey lives in Charlotte with her golden retriever, Lilly, and her cats Binx, Winnie, Karma, & Ivy. Outside of her practice, she enjoys reading, traveling, time with loved ones, listening to Taylor Swift, and attending Panthers games.
Charles (Chuck) F. Turner, Jr. practices in the firm's Greenville, SC office. He graduated from Wofford College, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business/Economics in 1989. He earned his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1992.
He was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1992. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court, District of South Carolina, United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Judicial Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Chuck is a member of South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, South Carolina Bar Association, Greenville County Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, American Trucking Association and Transportation Lawyers' Association. He has been named to Greenville Business Magazine Legal Elite for Liability Litigation in 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2021. Chuck was selected by South Carolina Super Lawyers in 2014, and US News Best Lawyers® for Business Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants in 2012-2022. Chuck was also named US News Best Lawyers® Greenville Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" in 2018. Chuck holds an AV Preeminent rating from LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell indicating the highest level of ethical and professional excellence. He has defended clients against personal injury, construction, governmental liability/civil rights, professional and product liability and has tried a high volume of cases in courts of all jurisdictions in South Carolina.
Chuck is a native of Travelers Rest, S.C. where he still resides with his wife, Angela, and their 2 daughters, Ashley and Meredith. Chuck attends Trinity Presbyterian Church in Travelers Rest where he is a former deacon and elder. He serves as counsel for the North Greenville Food Crisis Ministry. He is a former president of Green Valley Country Club. When he is not working, Chuck enjoys playing golf as well as hunting and fishing. He is also an avid country music fan. Chuck closely follows Wofford College athletics where he was a 2 sport letterman and a former Terrier Club Board member. He is also a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan.
Christopher I. Martineau practices litigation liability and commercial litigation in the firm's Charlotte, North Carolina office. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University in 2018. In 2020, he received his Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law. Christopher was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 2021 and is a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Association.
Prior to joining the firm, Christopher practiced commercial litigation and construction litigation in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, golfing, and spending time with friends, family, and dog.
Christopher T. Hourihan is a workers' compensation defense attorney in the firm's Charleston, South Carolina office. He earned his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law. While in law school, he completed an externship with the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission and also served as the Production Editor on the ABA's Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Journal. He is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association and the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Association.
Christopher grew up in Huntersville, North Carolina, and is an avid fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Carolina Panthers. Outside of his practice, he volunteers at Charleston Habitat for Humanity, working on new home construction sites. Christopher spends his free time staying active, seeing live music, and reading about American history.
Alan Westerlund practices in the firm's Charleston, South Carolina office. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, cum laude, from Clemson University in 2003 and his Juris Doctorate from the Charleston School of Law in 2008, where he was an articles editor of the Federal Courts Law Review.
Alan was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2008 and United States District Court for the District of South Carolina in 2010. He is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, the Charleston County Bar Association, and the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Association. Alan serves on the Board of Directors of Kids' Chance of SC and is a Certified SC Civil Court Mediator. He was named to US News Best Lawyers® for Workers' Compensation Law in 2020-2022. He practices exclusively in the area of workers' compensation defense.
Alan lives in Charleston with his wife, Anna, and their two daughters, Taylor and Sela. He is a co-founder of the Young Ambassador Council of The First Tee of Greater Charleston. Outside of the office, Alan enjoys supporting the Clemson Tigers, playing golf, and spending time with his family.
Dana Moody Leonard is a workers' compensation defense attorney in the firm's Raleigh, North Carolina office. She received her B.A. degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law. While in college, Dana studied abroad in Cambridge, England and Accra, Ghana.
Dana was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 2001 and is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association. After graduating from law school, Dana served as a Clerk to Judge John C. Martin and Judge Robert C. Hunter at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Dana was named to US News Best Lawyers® for Workers' Compensation Law in 2020-2022.
A lifelong resident of North Carolina, Dana lives in Holly Springs, North Carolina with her husband, Jeff, and daughter Mackenzie. Outside of her practice, Dana enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, hiking and fishing.
David D. DuRant practices workers' compensation defense in the firm's Greenville, South Carolina office. He earned his B.S. degree in Finance from the University of South Carolina and his J.D. degree from the Charleston School of Law. He is a former law clerk to the Honorable W. Jeffrey Young of the South Carolina Circuit Court. David is also a former staff attorney at the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission.
David was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2014 and is a member of the South Carolina Bar and the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Association.
David grew up in Sumter, SC, and he currently lives in Greenville with his wife, Jennifer, and their daughter, Emily. When David is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, and he is an avid fan of the Gamecocks and Atlanta Braves.
Job Titles:
- Information Technology Manager
- I.T. Manager
Deanne B. Ramirez has been the Information Technology Manager at WJCB since the Firm first opened its doors in 2002. She is responsible for coordinating, planning, and leading network, computer, telephone, and other information technology systems-related activities, processes, and projects for WJCB. Deanne works alongside information technology vendors, the Operations Director and Department, and other WJCB personnel to fulfill the firm's information systems' needs. She oversees the Information Technology Department, which provides information technology support and systems training to WJCB's attorneys and staff.
Job Titles:
- Member of the South Carolina Bar Association
Dequan Miller is a workers' compensation defense attorney in the firm's Columbia, South Carolina office. He graduated from Wofford College with a major in Business Economics in 2016. While at Wofford, he was a three year starter for the football team and was named to both the All Southern Conference Football Team and the All Southern Conference Academic Team.
Dequan earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2021, where he received the CALI Award for Excellence in the Criminal Practice Clinic. While at USC, he served as the Director of Community Service and the Director of Educational Programming for the Black Law Students Association, where he spearheaded the AVID Tutoring Program and the USC Pre-law Mentorship Program.
Dequan is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association and the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Association. He is from Columbia, South Carolina and currently lives in Columbia. Outside of his practice, he enjoys spending time with his family, and he is an avid fan of the Wofford Terriers and the New England Patriots.
Kenny is a lifelong resident of North Carolina and lives in Charlotte with his wife, Jaime, and his three children, Jackson, Caroline, and Brody. Kenny is a member of Carmel Baptist Church and if he is not there or at work, he is on a field somewhere coaching his children in one of the sports they participate in.
Franklin D. Guerrero is a workers' compensation defense attorney in the firm's Greenville, South Carolina office. Franklin received his B.A. degree from Wofford College and his J.D. degree from Mercer University where he served as the Senior Managing Editor of the Mercer Law Review and was a member of the Moot Court Board.
Franklin was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2001 and is a member of the South Carolina Bar Association and the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Educational Association. He was named to US News Best Lawyers® 2022 Lawyer of the Year in Workers' Compensation for Greenville, SC. He was named US News Best Lawyers® for Workers' Compensation Law in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 and Greenville Business Magazine Legal Elite in 2020. Franklin holds an AV Preeminent rating from LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell indicating the highest level of ethical and professional excellence.
Franklin lives in Greenville with his wife, Tiffany, and two children, Lilly and Thomas. He is an active member of Grace Church and enjoys spending time with his family and visiting Edisto Island, SC.
Troy Thames practices in the firm's Charleston, South Carolina office. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1993 and the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2000. Troy is an experienced trial lawyer with a diverse civil practice representing large corporations, small businesses, and individuals. He has represented clients in matters involving trucking and transportation, construction, and personal injury throughout the state. He is also experienced in maritime law, insurance coverage matters, government contract and fiscal law, and general business counseling.
Troy was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2001, the United States District Court, District of South Carolina in 2001 and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Judicial Circuit in 2002. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association, the South Carolina Bar Association (Construction Law Section) and the Federalist Society. He is a South Carolina Certified Civil Court Mediator and holds an AV Preeminent rating from LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell, indicating the highest level of ethical and professional excellence. He was named to US News Best Lawyers® for Insurance Law in 2020-2022.
Troy began his professional career as a soldier, serving in the U.S. Army as a field artillery officer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, until deciding to return to school to obtain his law degree. He continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves and deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning home and to private practice, Troy continued to serve as a Reserve JAG officer with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (Airborne), until retiring in July of 2018 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Job Titles:
- Legal Assistant
- Paralegal
bio
Harold (Hal) J. Willson, Jr. practices in the firm's Greenville, South Carolina office and serves as the firm's managing shareholder. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Wofford College and his J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law where he was a member of the Environmental Law Journal. He practices in the area of Workers' Compensation Defense and is a Certified SC Civil Court Mediator.
Helen Ann Thrower received her J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of law where she was president of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. She was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1999. She is a former law clerk to the Honorable Diane S. Goodstein of the South Carolina Circuit Court. Helen Ann worked twelve years at the South Carolina Statehouse and in legislative affairs with state agencies. She gained valuable courtroom experience as the founder of her own private practice before taking on the role as Attorney Advisor for the United States Small Business Administration.
Originally from Charleston, Helen Ann now lives in Columbia with her daughter. In her free time, she enjoys being on the water, exercising and spending time with her friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal / Legal Assistant
Job Titles:
- People and Culture Manager
Marsha Fisher is the People and Culture Manager at WJCB. Marsha received her Bachelor's Degree from Clemson University. She has over 25 years of Human Resources experience and 7+ years of Purchasing experience. Prior to joining WJCB, Marsha worked with TRIGO Quality Solutions US where she was Regional HR Manager for 9 years and NA Procurement Manager for 2 years.
Marsha lives in Greenville with her husband, Jackie. They have two adult children and four grand-dogs. Marsha and Jackie attend Seacoast Church where they serve in the NEXTGEN youth ministry. Marsha enjoys travel, vegetable gardening, supporting local theater, crafting, and searching for vintage treasures. Although she is a Clemson grad and fan, she also has a soft spot in her heart for Furman, where her dad taught ROTC for several years.