SwampFox

Five Greenville Smith Moore Leatherwood Attorneys Earn Top Rankings in 2010 Chambers USA Guide

Greenville, SC (June 15, 2010) – Five attorneys in Smith Moore Leatherwood’s Greenville office were recognized as top attorneys in the state in the 2010 Chambers USA Guide, an annual publication that ranks the leading U.S. lawyers and law firms. The attorneys recognized for their respective practice areas are Michael J. Giese, General Commercial Litigation; Steven E. Farrar, General Commercial Litigation; Richard L. Few, Jr., Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions; Mark E. Holmes, Real Estate; and A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Real Estate.

In total, Chambers USA recognized 21 Smith Moore Leatherwood attorneys as leading practitioners in the nation, which is a 31 percent increase from 2009. The firm also earned recognition in nine different practice areas in the states of South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.

“We are proud of the continued achievements of our attorneys as well as the recognition given to a number of our core practice areas. This not only reflects the talent of our lawyers, but also our results-oriented commitment to client service,” said Tod Hyche, managing partner of Smith Moore Leatherwood’s South Carolina office.

In its eleventh year of publication, the Chambers USA results are gathered through thousands of confidential interviews conducted with clients and lawyers, with greater weight given to the views of the clients. The publication ranks both law firms and individual lawyers by practice areas. The qualities on which rankings are assessed include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment and other qualities most valued by the client.

The Greenville attorneys identified as top practitioners are:

Michael J. Giese, Litigation: General Commercial
Mike Giese has served as a member of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline, South Carolina Supreme Court (1990-93), served as a Member of its Executive Committee (1993-97), and is presently a Member of the South Carolina Commission on Lawyer Conduct. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an Advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a permanent Member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. This is his second consecutive year being recognized as a top attorney by the Chambers USA Guide.

Steven E. Farrar, Litigation: General Commercial
Steve Farrar is an experienced trial lawyer and his practice focuses on complex cases. He routinely works on cases involving complicated business litigation, professional liability defense and major products liability issues. He has tried numerous cases including, among others, fighting charges of securities fraud and improper corporate activity, defending accountants and lawyers in malpractice actions and defending automobile manufacturers from product liability exposure. In addition, he has served as counsel for a federally appointed Receiver in a criminal action, and in that role he helped recover millions of dollars for defrauded investors. Mr. Farrar is a certified civil mediator by the South Carolina Bar Association.

Richard L. Few, Jr., Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions
Richard Few is a member of the firm’s Corporate group and his practice includes mergers and acquisitions, strategic and tax planning in structuring business ventures, and commercial and public/private financings. In addition, he represents businesses seeking economic development and tax incentives for relocations or expansions in South Carolina and serves on the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Tax Committee which promotes pro-business laws in the state. This is his second consecutive year being recognized as a top attorney by the Chambers USA Guide.

A. Marvin Quattlebaum, Real Estate
Marvin Quattlebaum, a member of the firm’s Commercial Real Estate group, represents purchasers, sellers and developers of residential, commercial and industrial real estate, as well as local and national lending institutions financing real estate transactions. He also has experience in representation of landlords, tenants and lenders in leading transactions involving real property for commercial and industrial development and use. Mr. Quattlebaum is an approved attorney and agent for the Chicago Trust Insurance Company, Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation, and First American Title Insurance Company. This is his second consecutive year being recognized as a top attorney by the Chambers USA Guide.

Mark E. Holmes, Real Estate
Mark Holmes, a member of the firm’s Commercial Real Estate group, represents both developers and lenders in all types of real estate transactions, with a particular emphasis on zoning and land use issues. He is an approved attorney and agent for Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation, Chicago Title Insurance Company and First American Title Insurance Company.

For more information about Chambers and Partners research and ranking methodology, visit www.smithmoorelaw.com/rankings.

About Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP
Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP serves clients in the Southeast and across the nation through attorneys who are personally invested in solving clients' complex legal issues. With more than 180 attorneys who concentrate in a wide range of substantive areas, Smith Moore Leatherwood has offices in Atlanta, Georgia; Greenville, South Carolina; and in Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh and Wilmington, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.smithmoorelaw.com.

###