Nexsen Pruet

Nexsen Pruet is a prominent full-service law firm headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina, with a significant presence across the Southeastern United States. Founded in the mid-20th century, the firm has grown through strategic mergers and organic expansion to become one of the largest in the Carolinas. It provides a comprehensive range of legal services to a diverse client base, including major corporations, financial institutions, and public entities, and is consistently recognized in industry rankings such as those published by Chambers and Partners and U.S. News & World Report.

History

The firm traces its origins to 1945 with the founding of a practice in Columbia, South Carolina. A pivotal moment in its growth occurred in 2002 with the merger of Nexsen Pruet Jacobs & Pollard and the established Greenville, South Carolina firm Gable & Gotwals, which significantly expanded its footprint in the Upstate South Carolina region. Subsequent expansions included opening an office in Charlotte, North Carolina in 2007, marking its entry into the North Carolina market, and later establishing a presence in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. The firm has also deepened its capabilities through combinations with specialized boutiques, such as the 2018 merger with the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina litigation firm Rogers Townsend & Thomas.

Practice areas

The firm maintains a broad full-service platform, with notable strength in complex litigation handled across various divisions including its Business Litigation and Product Liability groups. Its Corporate & Tax practice advises on matters such as mergers and acquisitions, securities law, and venture capital, while a dedicated Financial Services team represents regional and national banks. Other core areas include a robust Labor & Employment practice, a Real Estate group handling significant commercial developments, and specialized teams in Environmental Law, Intellectual Property, and Government Relations. The firm also houses a substantial Health Care practice navigating regulations from agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services.

Notable attorneys and alumni

The firm's leadership has included figures like former Chairman James G. Carpenter, who was also a past president of the South Carolina Bar. Notable practitioners have comprised Leighton Lord, who has held leadership roles in the American Bar Association, and veteran litigator Burnet R. Maybank III, a former director of the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Alumni of the firm have ascended to prominent positions in the judiciary, such as Judge Alison Renee Lee of the South Carolina Court of Appeals, and in public service, including former South Carolina House of Representatives member James H. Harrison. Several attorneys have also received distinctions like inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and recognition from Super Lawyers.

Offices

The firm operates nine offices across three states, with its headquarters remaining in Columbia, South Carolina. In South Carolina, it maintains additional offices in Greenville, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and Hilton Head Island. Its North Carolina presence includes offices in Charlotte and Raleigh, strategically located in key business centers. The firm expanded into Georgia with an office in Savannah and also maintains a location in Washington, D.C., focusing on federal regulatory and governmental affairs.

Recognition and rankings

The firm is regularly ranked in national and regional guides, including the U.S. News – Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" list, where it has garnered numerous metropolitan tier-one rankings. Its attorneys are frequently listed in peer-reviewed publications such as Chambers USA, which highlights individuals and practices in areas like General Commercial Litigation and Labor & Employment Law. The firm has also been recognized for its corporate and litigation work by Benchmark Litigation and for its community service through awards like the Pro Bono Publico Award from the American Bar Association. Many of its lawyers hold distinctions from Super Lawyers and are members of prestigious organizations like the American College of Trial Lawyers.