Karen Shelton
803.254.4190

• Workers’ Compensation

• University of South Carolina, 1976, B.A.
• University of South Carolina School of Law, 1979, J.D.

• Member, South Carolina Bar
• Member, Richland County Bar Association
• Selected, 2008 Best Lawyers in America

Workers’ Compensation Practice Group

Ernie Lawhorne is a founding shareholder of the firm and continues to be an influential force. His legal background includes comprehensive experience in civil litigation, including insurance defense, premises and product liability litigation. He now concentrates his practice largely on workers’ compensation matters and involves:

• Representation of both self-insured employers and insurance carriers
• Working with law firms throughout South Carolina as a certified mediator for workers’ compensation and other civil matters
• Speaking to legal and insurance industry groups on workers’ compensation issues

Ernie is a member of the Richland County and South Carolina Bar Associations and is active in the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association. He has authored materials for continuing legal education seminars and leads courses on workers’ compensation. Ernie is included among The Best Lawyers in America® and holds an AV Rating, the highest rating awarded by the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory.

A Columbia native, Ernie is active in the community and has a particular interest in the welfare of children. He has worked with the Richland County Guardian Ad Litem Project and with several foster parents in conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Social Services. Ernie has coached numerous youth sports teams, and has served on boards and support groups for high schools as well as the University of South Carolina Alumni Association and Kappa Alpha Order, of which he serves as alumni advisor.