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

Michael Brooks Derrick

Section Chair

Thomas Edward Vanderbloemen

Chair-Elect

Cherie T. Barton

Council Representative

Jonathan E.B. Lewis

Council Representative

Solo and Small Firm Section Award

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.

Award Recipients

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
Goodyear Law, LLC
Goose Creek, South Carolina

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
Charleston, South Carolina

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.Pictured above from left to right: Catherine Etchells, Sean Wilson and Ben Pogue of the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson, LLC

Michael J. Polk
Columbia, South Carolina

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
Charleston, South Carolina
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
Charleston, South Carolina

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.
Kingstree, South Carolina

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
Columbia, South Carolina

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
Columbia, South Carolina

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