COLLINS & LACY, P.C. - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- Collins & Lacy Attorney
- President and Chief Executive Officer of Collins & Lacy
- Senior Shareholder
Christian Stegmaier serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Collins & Lacy. He chairs both the Management Committee and the Firm's Retail & Hospitality Practice Group. With nearly 25 years of legal experience, Christian is a nationally recognized leader in retail and hospitality law. His extensive practice spans state and national levels, representing top-tier clients in retail, hospitality, live music and entertainment, amusement and specialty attractions, and private clubs. He is renowned for defending claims related to premises liability, loss prevention, food adulteration, and third-party torts, and is a leading authority in Dram Shop/Alcohol Liability litigation in South Carolina.
As a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Christian has a proven record of taking cases to trial and securing favorable outcomes. His litigation capability extends to appellate advocacy, building on his early experience as a law clerk to The Honorable Ralph King Anderson, Jr., of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. Christian has appeared over 45 times before various state and federal appellate courts, earning recognition for his meticulous research, compelling briefs, and engaging oral argument style.
Christopher Adams (Chris) is a Collins & Lacy Voting Shareholder, Circuit Court Mediator, and member of the Firm's Management Committee. His law practice focuses on construction litigation. He defends general contractors, developers, architects, engineers, manufacturers, and subcontractors in areas of construction defect litigation, mechanics liens, and design professional litigation, as well as cases involving catastrophic bodily injury that occurs on construction sites. Additionally, he defends designers, manufacturers, and sellers of consumer and construction products.
Chris attended the University of South Carolina for his undergraduate studies and law school. While at USC, Chris was a member of the baseball team from 1990-1992, and was an SEC Scholar Athlete. After law school, Chris clerked for the late Honorable James Johnson, Jr., Eighth Judicial Circuit, and worked as an Assistant Solicitor for the Eleventh Circuit Solicitor's Office in Lexington, South Carolina.
Chris's reputation has earned him an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, and he is a charter fellow of the Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA). CLSA is an invitation-only construction lawyer honorary society with membership limited to 1,200 practicing Fellows from the United States and internationally.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Trucking Defense
- Senior Shareholder
- Vice President at Collins & Lacy
Claude Prevost is a Voting Shareholder and Vice President at Collins & Lacy. He serves as Chair of the Trucking Defense Practice Group. Claude's focus is in the areas of: trucking defense; construction defect litigation; professional liability; premises liability; and catastrophic injury and death.
Claude is a cum laude graduate of Wofford College and received his Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law. During law school, Claude served as intern for The Honorable Sol Blatt, Jr. in Charleston. The following year, he served as an intern for The Honorable Bristow Marchant in Columbia. Claude performed 300 hours of pro bono work during law school prior to joining Collins & Lacy. He has been named a Rising Star by South Carolina Super Lawyers 2016-2022 for his work in construction litigation.
Claude is the Chair for the Trucking Defense group, representing clients including motor carriers, owner-operators, shippers, freight forwarders, and brokers in litigation matters arising from commercial vehicle accidents and cargo claims.
Law student Ethan Felkel has joined the Collins & Lacy law firm as a summer clerk. A student at the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, Felkel is a rising third year law student. He is...
Prior to joining Collins & Lacy, Evan served in a number of litigation roles in both state and federal trial and appellate courts. He has experience with claims involving alleged torts, breaches of contract, and civil rights violations without supervision.
Additionally, Evan worked for a several years as Assistant General Counsel at the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services where he performed all legal services related to the Managed Care Program and Program Integrity Division.
He has represented and advised governmental agencies and employees in all aspects of litigation in both state and federal trial and appellate courts.
Evan was raised in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2008. He was admitted before the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina in 2008, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in 2009.
Henry McMaster, Jr. is Special Counsel in the Retail & Hospitality and Governmental Affairs & Issue Advocacy practice groups.
Previously, Henry was an Assistant Solicitor in the 6th Judicial Circuit where he prosecuted crimes of all levels, including domestic violence, criminal sexual conduct, and murder. He also managed juvenile adjudication and was a member of the Veteran's Court Program.
Henry was active in the Young Lawyers Division of the South Carolina Bar, where he was a member of the Leadership Class of 2022, as well as a co-chair for the Make-A-Wish committee. He is also a member of the USC School of Law Young Alumni Council.
Henry attended the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he was nominated the Chief Magistrate of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society, as well as the John Belton O'Neall Inn of Court.
During his second and third years of law school, Henry clerked at the Office of the South Carolina Attorney General, both in criminal appeals and prosecution. After earning his Juris Doctor in 2016, he clerked for The Honorable Michael G. Nettles of the South Carolina Circuit Court in Florence, South Carolina. He was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2017.
When Henry isn't working on cases, he enjoys spending time with family and friends. He and his wife, Virginia, have a 1-year-old daughter, Margot, and they live in Columbia.
Job Titles:
- Special Counsel at Collins & Lacy
J. Lucas Richardson (Luke) serves as Special Counsel at Collins & Lacy, specializing in the Firm's Trucking Defense and Professional Liability practice groups. Luke earned his Bachelor of Arts in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, at the University of South Carolina School of Law. Before joining Collins & Lacy, he served as law clerk for The Honorable R. Scott Sprouse in Walhalla, South Carolina. Outside of work, Luke enjoys spending time outdoors, watching sports-usually University of North Carolina athletics teams or the Atlanta Braves, and having quality time with his wife and sons.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Privacy
- Special Counsel
Jake Flowers serves as chair of the Privacy, Data Management, and Cybersecurity practice group and practices in the Construction, Products Liability, and Trucking Defense groups at Collins & Lacy.
Jake Thompson is an Associate in the Retail & Hospitality practice group.
Job Titles:
- Special Counsel / Attorney Jacqueline Pavlicek Practices With the Trucking Defense, Professional Liability, and Construction Practice Groups As Special Counsel
A graduate of the University of South Carolina's Joseph F. Rice School of Law, Jacqueline has served clients for more than a decade for employment, information privacy, and data privacy law needs. Additionally, she has experience defending businesses. She has represented organizations, managers, individuals, and public officials with practical and timely legal advice. Her career has also included work in the areas of civil rights, constitutional law, consumer law, family law, and personal injury.
PRACTICE AREAS:
Construction
Jamie Wilson is and Associate who practices with the Retail & Hospitality Practice Group.
An experienced litigator, Jamie graduated from the University of South Carolina's Joseph F. Rice School of Law. She has served as defense attorney at a Columbia, South Carolina law firm; an attorney for the South Carolina 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 LSAT test, a requirement for law school application, she worked as a flight attendant.
PRACTICE AREAS:
Retail & Hospitality
EDUCATION
University of South Carolina School of Law, 2017, J.D.
Wofford College, 2009, B.A. in Intercultural Studies for Business
JeBria Wilson is and Associate who practices with the Retail & Hospitality Practice Group.
A prosecutor with experience in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitors Office, JeBria focused on both criminal and family law matters making decisions on charging, prosecution, diversion programs and disposition for misdemeanor and felony offenses.
JeBria graduated from the University of South Carolina's Joseph F. Rice School of Law. She developed educational programing for the Black Law Students Association and had an externship with the Honorable Judge Jocelyn Newman. She received her undergraduate degree from the same university where she was a Capstone Scholar.
PRACTICE AREAS:
Retail & Hospitality
EDUCATION
University of South Carolina School of Law, 2021, J.D.
University of South Carolina, 2015, B.S. in Public Health
Job Titles:
- Trial Lawyer of the Year Award, South Carolina Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates ( ABOTA ) ( 2002 )
Joel Collins co-founded Collins & Lacy, P.C. in 1984. He has devoted his practice to professional liability law, white-collar criminal defense, and complex civil litigation. Joel defends a variety of licensed professionals including healthcare providers, pharmacists, financial advisors, attorneys, and insurance brokers and agents in claims against their job performance. He also has extensive experience with white-collar criminal defense cases involving alleged abuse of federally funded programs, income tax evasion, securities fraud, and racketeering. Joel is skilled in defending complex civil litigation suits involving a variety of civil disputes including professional malpractice, breach of contract, breach of non-compete agreements, and tortious interference with contractual rights.
Upon graduation from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1968, Joel served four years in the Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAGC) of the United States Army and served one year in Viet Nam with the Americal Division, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medals. Joel also served as an assistant professor of law at the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. He then spent two years with the Frankfurt, Germany law firm of O'Haire and Fiore, after which he was appointed Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, focusing on the investigation and prosecution of white-collar criminal cases.
In 1982, after three years with a large national firm, Joel established his own South Carolina practice, which later became Collins & Lacy. He has held numerous leadership positions in civic organizations including Rotary, National Safety Council and the ABOTA Foundation, including his past role as National President of ABOTA. Joel also enjoys a variety of volunteer activities in the community. Joel's professional standing and his reputation in the courtroom have led his peers to consider him one of South Carolina's preeminent attorneys, according to Martindale-Hubbell. He is also honored by South Carolina Super Lawyers© and Best Lawyers in America©, two of the oldest and most respected peer-reviews in the legal profession. In 2012, Primerus honored Joel with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his longtime support and service to Primerus.
In 2018, Joel received the Governor's Order of the Palmetto award, the state's highest civilian honor. Since 1971, the Order of the Palmetto has been awarded to citizens for remarkable service and contribution to South Carolina and her people. Also in 2018, Joel was inducted into the SC Lawyers Weekly Hall of Fame (inaugural class), honoring attorneys age 60 and older who have had significant impacts on the legal profession in the Palmetto State.
Justin 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, Justin has proved to be an excellent legal researcher and writer, authoring some of the Firm's most accessed blog content.
PRACTICE AREAS:
Retail & Hospitality
EDUCATION
University of South Carolina School of Law, J.D.
University of South Carolina, Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Committee at Collins & Lacy
- Senior Shareholder
Kelsey Brudvig is a Voting Shareholder and member of the Management Committee at Collins & Lacy, P.C.
Kelsey's practice focuses on Retail & Hospitality and Professional Liability. She defends national and regional leaders in the retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors doing business in South Carolina in claims involving premises liability, loss prevention, food adulteration, third-party torts, and alcohol liability. She also defends professionals in claims arising from alleged professional negligence resulting in personal injury and death.
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, Kelsey served as a Staff Attorney at the South Carolina Supreme Court.
Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and son, attending sporting events, and cheering on her beloved Kentucky Wildcats.
Before joining Collins & Lacy, Molly worked for several years representing school districts and their boards in the areas of school and employment law. Her work included defense and litigation, as well as the development of policies and procedures. She brings significant experience in both state agency defense and litigation. Molly is experienced with employment law, personnel concerns, contractual matters, financial matters, and all types of litigation.
Molly served for six years as an Assistant Solicitor for the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office where she managed prosecution focusing on domestic violence, successfully obtaining harsher penalties for abusers on behalf of victims. She also prosecuted sexual assaults, burglaries, murders, and other violent crimes.
Robert M. Peele, III (Rob), is a Collins & Lacy Shareholder who has been practicing law in South Carolina for fifteen years. He has more than ten years of experience defending civil litigation claims and has tried cases in state court involving premises liability, construction defects, and negligence claims. Before entering private practice, Rob served the State of South Carolina as Deputy General Counsel for the Department of Corrections. Before law school, Rob worked in the banking industry.
Stan Lacy co-founded Collins & Lacy, P.C. in 1984. He has devoted his practice to workers' compensation defense and is also a certified South Carolina Circuit Court Mediator. Stan practiced law for over 40 years and practiced exclusively in Workers' Compensation law for more than 35 years. His legal career includes arguing many landmark cases to the Supreme Court, managing appeals to all appellate court levels, and working on industry-changing legislation on behalf of South Carolina. In 1991, former Governor Carroll Campbell appointed Stan to the Advisory Committee for the Improvement of Workers' Compensation Laws in South Carolina where he worked with the legislature to review and revise legislation affecting the state's workers' compensation system. Stan "retired" in 2017 but he still comes to the office to mentor associates and to administer his vigorous mediation practice.
Stan graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1967. While at the University of Virginia, he served as President of the Engineering School, President of Sigma Pi Fraternity, and was a member of the Trigon Society. He then served four years in the United States Air Force, became a captain, and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his work on the Vietnamization of the war in Southeast Asia. He also received the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Ribbon. In 1974, Stan earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He began teaching workers' compensation as an adjunct instructor at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1981 and has continued to teach ever since. He also frequently conducts workshops on compensation laws for clients and businesses. Stan also contributes timely and relevant posts to the Collins & Lacy Workers' Compensation Lawl Blog and the national Workers' Compensation Law Prof Blog.
Stan is considered by his peers to be one of South Carolina's pre-eminent attorneys according to Martindale-Hubbell and is consistently selected to be included in South Carolina Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America, two of the oldest and most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession. In 2012, Best Lawyers named Stan as the "Columbia, SC Best Lawyers Workers' Compensation Law - Employers Lawyer of the Year". The "Lawyer of the Year" is a designation awarded within high-profile legal specialties in large legal communities. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is honored as the "Lawyer of the Year." Stan was also the Platinum recipient of the 2016 Compleat Lawyer Award, given by the University of South Carolina School of Law. Recently, an Inn of Court was established by the workers' compensation bar who honored him by naming the chapter "The Stanford E. Lacy Workers' Compensation Inn of Court."
Stan Lacy co-founded Collins & Lacy, P.C. in 1984. He has devoted his practice to workers' compensation defense and is also a certified South Carolina Circuit Court Mediator. Stan practiced law for over 40 years and practiced exclusively in Workers' Compensation law for more than 35 years. His legal career includes arguing many landmark cases to the Supreme Court, managing appeals to all appellate court levels, and working on industry-changing legislation on behalf of South Carolina. In 1991, former Governor Carroll Campbell appointed Stan to the Advisory Committee for the Improvement of Workers' Compensation Laws in South Carolina where he worked with the legislature to review and revise legislation affecting the state's workers' compensation system. Stan "retired" in 2017 but he still comes to the office to mentor associates and to administer his vigorous mediation practice.
Stan graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1967. While at the University of Virginia, he served as President of the Engineering School, President of Sigma Pi Fraternity, and was a member of the Trigon Society. He then served four years in the United States Air Force, became a captain, and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for his work on the Vietnamization of the war in Southeast Asia. He also received the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Ribbon. In 1974, Stan earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He began teaching workers' compensation as an adjunct instructor at the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1981 and has continued to teach ever since. He also frequently conducts workshops on compensation laws for clients and businesses. Stan also contributes timely and relevant posts to the Collins & Lacy Workers' Compensation Lawl Blog and the national Workers' Compensation Law Prof Blog.
Stan is considered by his peers to be one of South Carolina's pre-eminent attorneys according to Martindale-Hubbell and is consistently selected to be included in South Carolina Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America, two of the oldest and most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession. In 2012, Best Lawyers named Stan as the "Columbia, SC Best Lawyers Workers' Compensation Law - Employers Lawyer of the Year". The "Lawyer of the Year" is a designation awarded within high-profile legal specialties in large legal communities. Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is honored as the "Lawyer of the Year." Stan was also the Platinum recipient of the 2016 Compleat Lawyer Award, given by the University of South Carolina School of Law. Recently, an Inn of Court was established by the workers' compensation bar who honored him by naming the chapter "The Stanford E. Lacy Workers' Compensation Inn of Court."