The Legal Bench

Lawyers Helping Lawyers is a professional resource available to all lawyers, judges, and law students experiencing challenges with substance use disorders, mental health illnesses, and/or stress-related issues that affect their professional and personal lives. Collins & Lacy President/CEO, Christian Stegmaier, interviews two of the leaders of the program, Beth Padgett and Frances Brown Anderso...

Recorded live from Hilton Head Island at the SCRLA meeting, Collins & Lacy President and CEO Christian Stegmaier sits down with Chad Patterson of Raldex Hospitality for an insightful conversation about growth, leadership, and people. Chad shares how he’s maximizing Raldex Hospitality's footprint in Florence, South Carolina, his approach to delivering exceptional guest experiences, and the...

Second in a series of podcasts recorded at the recent South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association meeting in Hilton Head Island, Collins & Lacy President & CEO, Christian Stegmaier, interviews Paul Garcia, SCRLA Board Member and General Manager of the Dayton House Resort at Myrtle Beach. Mr. Garcia discussed the greatest challenges to his business and the company culture he has devel...

Collins & Lacy President/CEO and Retail & Hospitality Practice Group Leader, Christian Stegmaier , hosts a conversation with Kirk Watkins , SCRLA Board Chair and leader with Sizzling Steak Concepts , exploring the challenges and opportunities facing today’s hospitality industry. From risk management and compliance to leadership strategies, this episode offers valuable insights for restaura...

In the first episode of a new series on The Legal Bench Podcast, Collins & Lacy President/CEO Christian Stegmaier interviews attorney Ty Zeigler, one of the firm's newer lawyers.

In an insurance defense model, it’s easy to think of the carrier as the client. They are, after all, the ones paying the bills. They set guidelines, dictate reporting requirements, and ultimately decide whether to settle or proceed to trial. But the reality is more nuanced. The insured—the business or individual being defended—is the true client. For the insured, a lawsuit isn’t just another case....

“In Conversation With” is a continuing series on the Legal Bench Podcast hosted by Christian Stegmaier, Collins & Lacy President and Chief Executive Officer, where he engages with influential South Carolinians who are making significant impacts across our state. In this episode, Christian sits down with Kenny Berger, a distinguished plaintiff's lawyer based in Columbia, South Carolina, kn...

“In Conversation With:” is a new series on the Legal Bench Podcast hosted by Christian Stegmaier, Collins & Lacy President and Chief Executive Officer wherein he interviews influential South Carolinians who dominate the conversation in our state. Christian’s first guest is David Yarborough, renowned plaintiff’s attorney and a founding partner of Yarborough Applegate Law Firm, LLC, which is hea...

What is the difference between a Service and an emotional support animal? Do both command the same rights in retail and hospitality settings? Collins & Lacy law clerk Abigail Johanson explores the topic with her guest, Rebecca Fulmer of Disability Rights South Carolina.

In a follow-up to his podcast episode on third-party lawsuit funding, Collins & Lacy attorney Andy Smith now turns his attention to consumer legal funding, often another component of supporting plaintiffs who are filing lawsuits.  With Andy is Eric Schuller, President of the Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding.

Third-party funding of litigation is a trend on the rise. In this episode, Collins & Lacy attorney Andy Smith talks with Natalie Ford, an Honors College student at the University of South Carolina who is writing her thesis on this topic. 

How do employee benefits contribute toward recruiting and retaining employees, as well as their mental and physical wellbeing? Collins & Lacy's Christian Stegmaier, leader of the firm's retail and hospitality practice group, has a special guest recorded live at the 2023 South Carolina Restaurant and Hospitality conference in Greenville, SC.

What follows is the second episode in a series recorded at the 2023 South Carolina Restaurant and Hospitality Association Conference in Greenville, South Carolina. Collins & Lacy's Retail & Hospitality chair, and firm president, Christian Stegmaier, speaks with Professor Scott Smith of the University of South Carolina’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

What are the top goals for South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association for 2024? Collins & Lacy president and chair of the firm's Retail & Hospitality practice group, Christian Stegmaier, speaks with association President and CEO, Susan Cohen. This interview took place at the 2023 South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association's Marketing and Operations Conference in...

Collins & Lacy Shareholder, and Chair of the Retail & Hospitality practice group, Christian Stegmaier, shares new insights on mediation. Have lawyers have become increasingly lazier at mediation? Whether it’s preparing for it, preparing clients and carriers for it, or what attorneys are supposed to be doing while at mediation, Stegmaier says, "We're not doing enough. Instead, we’...

What’s can be helpful in painting a more accurate picture of trucking companies when they are involved in litigation. Collins and Lacy trucking attorney, Rob Peele, spoke with the CEO of BlueWire, Steven Bryan, and SC Trucking Association CEO, Rick Todd, at the 2023 SC Trucking Association’s Annual Meeting. Here’s their discussion…

There’s a new trend called “Third Space” in the retail and hospitality industry. Learn more now with Collins & Lacy Retail and Hospitality practice group leader, Christian Stegmaier and his guest, Matt Kennell, President and CEO for Columbia’s Main Street District about the transformation of our downtown.

In a popular, recent blog article, Collins & Lacy retail and hospitality attorney, Evan Gessner, outlined the legal aspects associated with DELTA 8 product sales and usage. Visit collinsandlacy.com to read the article. Today, Gessner welcomes University of South Carolina researcher, former Vice President of Research for the University, and current Senior Research Advisor to the University Pres...

How can "Leading With Need" combat a reptilian approach by some plaintiff attorneys? Recorded live at the South Carolina Captive Insurance Association annual conference, Collins & Lacy defense attorney Robert Peele talks to Rick Farlow of Healthcare Providers Insurance Company.

Did you know that it is illegal for minors to play pinball in South Carolina? How did this law come into existence and what measures are underway for its repeal? Collins & Lacy defense attorney, and member of the retail and hospitality practice group, Andrew Smith, discusses with his special guest, Josh Rainwater, owner of Transmission Bar in Columbia, SC.

Recorded LIVE at the 2022 South Carolina Trucking Association Annual Meeting, Michael Burney, Director of Business Development for Collins & Lacy defense attorneys, talks with Vernon Rutland of Swafford Trucking and Thad Wharton of the Knights Companies. 

Learn about the "Knew or Should Have Known" standard created by case law which necessitates extra vigilance by on premises alcohol permit holders. Collins & Lacy Retail & Hospitality Practice Leader, Christian Stegmaier, has this first in a three-part series on the topic.

How do "Human Factors" attribute to accidents and what is the science behind this field of study? Chair of Collins & Lacy Trucking and Transportation practice group, Claude Prevost, interviews Nancy Grugle, Ph. D. of the Exigent Group.

South Carolina's new "Move Over" highway law goes into effect on August 15, 2021. Collins and Lacy attorney, and leader of the firm's transportation practice group, Claude Prevost, interviews SC Master Trooper, David Jones, to learn more about how the new law will be enforced.