October 29, 2024 – Burr & Forman LLP is pleased to announce the arrival of Laura J. Evans, J. Bennett Crites, III, Nicholas C.C. Stewart, and Kevin R. Horton to the firm’s Charleston office. They join along with four professional staff members.

“We are incredibly pleased to welcome this group of attorneys to Burr & Forman. Each of their practices is distinguished by thoughtfulness, creativity, and a desire to provide leading counsel to clients within their respective industries,” said Ed Christian, CEO and Managing Partner. “This is a great addition to our health care practice, and we look forward to our continued growth in Charleston.”

Laura J. Evans joins as a Partner in the Health Care Practice Group. She is a veteran health care lawyer with experience providing counsel to a wide variety of health care providers. She has litigated complex health care, toxic tort, and product liability cases and will leverage her background as a former in-house counsel for Roper St. Francis Healthcare, a Charleston-based health care system. Beyond her litigation and in-house experience, Evans maintains a robust pro bono practice, having led the Charleston County Bar’s response to the Mother Emanuel tragedy. Evans received her J.D. from the University of South Carolina and her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“Burr & Forman’s reputation is rooted in strong client advocacy and expansive experience across industry sectors,” said Evans. “I’ve long admired the firm’s commitment to meeting the evolving needs of clients in South Carolina and beyond, and I’m excited to collaborate with such a talented group of attorneys.”

J. Bennett Crites, III joins as a Partner in the Commercial Litigation and Health Care Practice Groups and has over 20 years of experience advising businesses and individuals on complex legal issues. His diverse experience includes advising on matters related to health care, skilled nursing facilities, transportation and commercial trucking, products liability, professional liability, business, commercial and probate disputes, and retail and hospitality. Crites received his J.D. from the University of South Carolina and his undergraduate degree from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.

“Burr & Forman’s impressive network and comprehensive litigation resources stand out in the legal market and are invaluable for delivering results for clients. I look forward to this next chapter of my career and adding to the growth and success of the Charleston office,” said Crites.

Nicholas C.C. Stewart joins as a Partner in the Commercial Litigation and Health Care Practice Groups and has a decade of experience representing individuals and businesses within the South Carolina business community. His practice focuses on health care, real estate, construction and development, and transportation and logistics. Known for his detail-oriented approach and attentiveness to clients’ needs, Stewart has a track record of successes in circuit court, magistrate court, and professional licensure court. Stewart received his J.D. from Wake Forest University and his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kevin R. Horton joins as Counsel in the Health Care Practice Group, where he focuses his practice on advising and defending medical professionals and institutions. He represents hospitals, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, physicians and their practices, and other health care professionals. Horton’s practice is characterized by his results-oriented approach and diligence in handling disputes across a wide spectrum of subject-matter areas within the health care space. Horton received his J.D. from the University of South Carolina and his master’s and undergraduate degrees from the University of Alabama.

 About Burr & Forman

For more than a century, Burr & Forman’s experienced legal team has served clients at the intersection of business and government. With 350 attorneys and 20 offices across Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, Burr & Forman draws from a diverse range of industry experience and practice knowledge to help clients address their legal needs and achieve their goals. For more information, visit the firm’s website at burr.com.