Solo and Small Firm Section

Mission

To promote the ethical and efficient practice of law by lawyers in small firms; to develop or otherwise provide educational and practice resources; to establish and maintain relationships with other Bar entities and other organizations; to monitor legislative, judicial, and other developments of interest to small firms; and to promote and advocate the interests of the Section within the Bar.

SECTION BYLAWS

Solo and Small Firm Section Award Nominations Annually

In order to increase awareness in the state and in the legal community of the value of lawyers in small firms, the Council of the Solo & Small Firm Section voted on May 30, 2013, to inaugurate an award to honor a sole practitioner or small law firm that has demonstrated service and leadership to the community or fellow lawyers.

  • The award will be called the “Solo and Small Firm Section Award.”
  • The award will be made annually, unless there are no exceptional nominees.
  • The award will be presented at the Section’s annual meeting or conference.
  • Nominations will be solicited from the membership of the South Carolina Bar.
  • An award recipient must display exemplary skill and conduct in his/her practice of law and have made significant contributions of time and talent to the South Carolina Bar, the lawyer's local bar, or the lawyer's local community or devoted substantial time and effort to the education and training of fellow solo or small firm lawyers in South Carolina.
  • Eligible recipients are any lawyer in a small firm who is a member of the South Carolina Bar in good standing, or, a small firm as defined by the Bylaws of the Solo & Small Firm Section at that time.
  • Those ineligible to receive the award include members of Council, until one year after the member has left the Council.
  • The award recipient will be selected by a majority vote of the Solo & Small Firm Council at a meeting at which at least two-thirds of the Council are in attendance (“attendance” as defined by the Section Bylaws).
  • The award will consist solely of recognition and an engraved trophy or plaque. No monetary award shall be given.

M. BROOKS DERRICK

CHAIR

THOMAS E. VANDERBLOEMEN

CHAIR ELECT

CHARLES TERRENI

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR/SECTION DELEGATE

CHERIE T. BARTON

COUNCIL MEMBER

MARK D. CHAPPELL

COUNCIL MEMBER

JONATHAN E.B. LEWIS

COUNCIL MEMBER

LARRY MARCHANT

COUNCIL MEMBER

S. MARIA SHILOH AVERILL

COUNCIL MEMBER

COLIN OKOYE

COUNCIL MEMBER

Award Recipients

Leslie McIntosh 
It is our pleasure to announce that Leslie McIntosh has been selected as the 2025 Solo & Small Firm Section Award recipient. Leslie was recognized during the Section’s annual CLE on January 30, 2026, for her exceptional service, leadership, and dedication to the solo and small firm community in South Carolina.
 
Leslie is the founder of McIntosh Law Firm, LLC, where she has built a practice centered on probate, estate planning, trusts, elder law, and business formation. She is known for pairing technical excellence with deep compassion, guiding clients through complex and often deeply personal legal matters with dignity, patience, and respect. In addition to her private practice, Leslie provides critical access-to-justice services by conducting low bono mental health hearings twice each month at Patrick B. Harris Hospital and AnMed Health. In these highly sensitive proceedings, she advocates for individuals facing involuntary commitment and other urgent mental health challenges—ensuring their constitutional rights are fully protected during moments of profound vulnerability.
 
Leslie’s commitment to her community and profession is equally remarkable. Her firm was recently honored as the Best Probate Law Firm in the 2025 Best of South Carolina Awards and Best Law Firm in the 2025 Best of Your Hometown Community Choice Awards in Anderson, reflecting both the quality of her work and the trust of those she serves. Within the South Carolina Bar, Leslie has demonstrated extraordinary leadership. She has served as the 10th Circuit Representative in the House of Delegates since 2019; Chair of the Conventions Committee; and Co‑Chair of the Probate, Estate Planning, and Trust CLE Subcommittee. She also serves on the Commission on Judicial Conduct, Nominating Committee, Wellness Committee, CLE Committee, Elder Law Committee, and Pro Bono Board. In each position, she works to elevate the voice and needs of solo and small firm practitioners while strengthening access, education, and professional support across the Bar.
 
Please join us in congratulating Leslie McIntosh on this well‑deserved recognition.

Megan Goodwin Burke

Congratulations to Solo & Small Firm Section Award winner Megan Goodwin Burke for her outstanding service and leadership as a solo/small firm practitioner during their annual CLE on January 31, 2025.

Megan is a distinguished family law attorney based in Greenville, where she serves as the owner and lead attorney of the Law Office of Megan Goodwin Burke. Since earning her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law and her admission to the South Carolina Bar in 2011, Megan has dedicated her career to advocating for families navigating complex legal challenges.

Her practice focuses on family law, with a particular emphasis on serving as a guardian ad litem, ensuring the best interests of children are represented in court proceedings. Megan's commitment to excellence in her field has been recognized by her peers; she was honored as one of Greenville Business Magazine's Legal Elite in 2019 and selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2020 and 2021.

Kathryn E. Goodyear

Congratulations to Solo and Small Firm Section Award Winner Kathryn E. Goodyear! Goodyear is the owner of Goodyear Law, LLC in Goose Creek, South Carolina, with a practice focusing on Estate Planning and Probate. She additionally serves as a Guardian ad Litem.
A graduate of Winthrop University in 2006 and Charleston School of Law in 2014, Goodyear has received many awards for her service to the community. Goodyear’s relatives who have served in the military influence her initiative to use her freedom to serve those who have served, with Pro Bono Estate Planning for disabled veterans, Discounted Estate Planning for Active-Duty Military and Military veterans, Probate assistance for Widows of Disabled Veterans, as well as physical service to disabled veterans.

Law Office of Sean M. Wilson, LLC - Small Firm

The Solo and Small Firm Section named the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson, LLC the recipient of the Solo and Small Firm Section Award. The award, which recognizes small firm lawyers for outstanding leadership or service to the public or legal community, was presented to the firm in honor of its service to the community. “It is truly an honor to win this prestigious award," said Sean Wilson. "I would like to give an honor to God, my family, friends, and entire Law Office of Sean Wilson Team. Our team works tirelessly every day to serve our community and practice the right way. We remain committed to service and helping those in need.”The firm engages in several volunteer endeavors throughout the year, for organizations such as My Sister's House, The Alzheimer's Association and One80Place. It was honored at the section CLE and luncheon on December 9, 2022.

Michael J. Polk


The Council of the Solo and Small Firm Section is proud to announce that Michael J. Polk of Columbia, South Carolina has been named the winner of the 2020 Solo and Small Firm Section Award for outstanding community service. Read more about this achievement here.

Tiffany Provence

The Council of the Solo and Small Firm Section is proud to announce that Tiffany Provence of Charleston, South Carolina has been named the winner of the 2019 Solo and Small Firm Section Award for outstanding community service. Read more about this achievement here.
Meagan T. Gentry

The Council of the Solo and Small Firm Section is proud to announce that Meagan T. Gentry of Charleston, South Carolina has been named the winner of the 2018 Solo and Small Firm Section Award for outstanding community service. Read more about this achievement here.
Jenkinson, Jarrett, & Kellahan, P.A.

The Council of the Solo and Small Firm Section is proud to announce that Jenkinson, Jarrett & Kellahan, P.A. of Kingstree, South Carolina has been named the winner of the 2016 Solo and Small Firm Section Award for outstanding community service. Read more about this achievement here.

Bluestein, Nichols, Thompson, and Delgado, LLC

Bluestein, Nichols, Thompson and Delgado, LLC of Columbia, South Carolina was named the winner of the 2015 Solo and Small Firm Section Award for outstanding community service. Read more about this achievement here.
Ken Lester

Ken Lester of Columbia, South Carolina was named the winner of the first Solo and Small Firm Section Award for outstanding community service. Read more about this achievement here.

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"The (Solo & Small Firm Section) listserv is invaluable since so many of us can't "walk down the hall" and ask a colleague. A great place to get advice on any subject!"  

Charles Terreni

2024 Chair, Columbia, South Carolina