The Legal Bench

“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 headquartered in Charleston. 

What ensued was an engaging discussion about the zealous practice of law, building a business that is meant to last, effectively managing and leading teams, mentoring lawyers new to the profession, and working hard to realize your potential as a professional. 

David has a history of achieving record-breaking jury verdicts and settlements for his clients, including a landmark $44.6 million jury verdict against Amazon in December 2023, and a $35.9 million verdict against PEPCO. He focuses on personal injury cases involving bad faith against insurance companies, industrial injuries, product liability, toxic spills, drownings, accidents, and negligence by various entities, collecting hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients. 

David is also deeply involved in his community, providing free legal work, mentoring individuals suffering from addiction, and contributing to local charities, alongside his membership in several legal and advocacy organizations. 

David enjoys a reputation in the Bar as a relentless advocate who is unapologetically candid and direct in his communications. It was a pleasure hosting David on our inaugural show of this series.

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 Greenville, SC.

Captive Insurance companies are becoming a bigger part of the insurance landscape in South Carolina as businesses look for alternative strategies to insure their risks.

As a leading state to domicile a captive, South Carolina continues to market the state for new captives.

To better understand captives, Collins & Lacy attorney Robert Peele sat down with Joe McDonald, Director of Captives for the South Carolina Department of Insurance. This interview was recorded at the 2023 South Carolina Captive Insurance Association Conference in Charleston. 

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’re asking way too much from our mediators."

Get his full take on this episode of The Legal Bench.  

While marijuana is not legal in South Carolina, many truckers drive through state where the substance has been legalized. In additional, there are DELTA 8 and CBD products available most everywhere. 

Collins & Lacy trucking attorney, Rob Peele, talked about the challenges of marijuana, DELTA 8 and CBD with Jereme Roehl of TCW in an interview recorded at the 2023 South Carolina Trucking Association's Annual Meeting.