COLUMBIA, S.C.

Eight Nexsen Pruet attorneys have been named among the top legal practitioners in their fields in the 2005-2006 edition of Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers.

Nexsen Pruet also received the most No. 1 practice area rankings of any South Carolina firm, receiving a No. 1 ranking for the areas of corporate/mergers and acquisition law, real estate law, and general commercial litigation. The firm received a No. 2 ranking for its employment and labor law practice.

The publication cited David Dubberly for his work in employment law; David Gossett for real estate; Mark Knight for corporate/mergers and acquisitions; Susi McWilliams for both employment and litigation; Ed Menzie for both corporate/mergers and acquisitions and real estate; Neil Robinson for real estate; and Tom Stephenson and Tom Tisdale for commercial litigation.

Chambers' legal directory - the "guide to the best practitioners in all the main areas of business law" - makes its selections based on thousands of interviews with clients and attorneys. "We are honored to have eight attorneys and four of our practice areas recognized," said Al Pollard, Managing Partner of Nexsen Pruet. "As a firm we are committed to providing high-quality, high-value services to our clients and communities."

David Dubberly, rated in the area of employment law, chairs the firm's employment and labor law group and practices in the Columbia office. He is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law and is a member of the court's Employment and Labor Specialization Advisory Board. Dubberly is also former chair of the South Carolina Bar's Employment and Labor Section.

David Gossett, rated in the area of real estate law, is based in the Greenville office and he concentrates his practice in economic development, real estate and lending areas. He is regularly involved in financing some of the larger agribusinesses in the country. Gossett is a board member of the Upstate Alliance, a regional economic development group.

Mark Knight, rated in the area of corporate/M&A, is based in the Columbia office and he concentrates his practice primarily on the areas of securities, mergers and acquisitions, corporate, and partnership law. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Corporate, Securities, and Mergers and Acquisitions Law, and is a former chair of the S.C. Bar's Corporation, Banking and Securities Section.

Susi McWilliams, rated in both commercial litigation and employment law, practices in the Columbia office. She is a trial lawyer with experience in products liability, employment, business litigation, malpractice defense, securities, and lender liability. She is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law and is a member of the prestigious America College of Trial Lawyers. Best Lawyers in America has recognized McWilliams for Labor and Employment Law.

Ed Menzie, rated in both corporate/M&A and real estate law, practices in Columbia. He combines extensive corporate, finance, real estate and securities experience in the representation of a variety of clients, including major real estate developers. He is listed in the Corporate Law and Real Estate Law sections of Best Lawyers in America, and he is a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. Since 1986, Mr. Menzie has served on the Board of Directors of Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc.

Neil Robinson, rated in the area of real estate law, practices in the firm's Charleston office. He has broad experience in complex real estate transactions; administrative law, including permitting, zoning and land sales registrations; community association and condominium law; and commercial and resort real estate development. He is recognized in Best Lawyers in America in Real Estate Law. Mr. Robinson currently serves as President of the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and President of the Hibernian Society. He is the former President of the Clemson Advancement Foundation.

Tom Stephenson, rated in the area of commercial litigation, is based in the Greenville office and concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, labor law, employment law, and employment-related litigation. He is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law and is a certified mediator. Mr. Stephenson currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Medical University of South Carolina.

Tom Tisdale, rated in the area of litigation, practices in the Charleston office. Mr. Tisdale is a former president of the South Carolina Bar, and he is listed in Best Lawyers in America as among the leading attorneys in first amendment law and business litigation.

For more information on the Chambers' ratings visit ChambersAndPartners.com.

NEXSEN PRUET, LLC is one of the largest law firms in the Carolinas, with more than 170 attorneys and offices in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C. Founded in 1945, Nexsen Pruet provides a broad range of legal services to the business community and represents companies and other entities in local, state, national, and international venues.