April 18, 2024
Allison Sullivan, a partner with Bluestein Attorneys, has been named to the 2024 South Carolina Power List for Personal Injury Attorneys, which was published in South Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s Feb. 21 edition. She was named to the list in 2023 as well. Power List honorees are selected by looking at a range of criteria, including whether an attorney is considered to be a subject matter authority in his or her field, well-versed in relevant case law, statutes and regulations; experienced, with a record of success in cases and/or transactions; a lawyer whom other attorneys respect and make referrals to; and a leader in the community, with a record of bar involvement and leadership. Allison fits all those criteria. Her career has been all about leveling the playing field for those who have been injured across the state of South Carolina, whether hurt at work or injured by the negligence of […]
April 18, 2024
Attorney W. Christopher Schwartz has joined Bluestein Attorneys. He practices in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, and construction litigation. He earned his Juris Doctor in 2023 from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he ranked in the top third of his class. He received the Konduros Public Service Fellowship and the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Criminal Law. He was chair of the Honor Council in his final year of law school. Before law school, he received a bachelor’s degree in political science, with a minor in philosophy, from Clemson University in 2020. He clerked for Bluestein Attorneys throughout his law school career. He drafted civil litigation motions, memoranda and proposed orders, and assisted in drafting appellate briefs. He is a member of Phi Delta Phi, Legal Honor Society, and the Humanist Law Society. “We’re very pleased to have Chris continuing with us […]
April 18, 2024
Attorney William Koontz has joined Bluestein Attorneys. His practice will be focused on family law, and he will also handle appellate and trial support matters.. He received his Juris Doctor in 2023 from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He attended law school after working for several years in Columbia as a paralegal. Before that, William earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Davidson College in 2012. While in law school, he clerked for Bluestein Attorneys, focusing on plaintiff’s litigation on the federal and state levels as well as appellate advocacy. He also helped with qui tam suits, COVID-19 liability actions, products liability, and workers’ compensation matters. He is a past vice president of Carolina Equality Alliance, and a member of Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society and the S.C. Association for Justice. “We’re proud to have William joining us,” said Bluestein Attorneys founding partner Margaret “Marti” Miles […]
April 9, 2024
Every year, thousands of South Carolinians face the unexpected challenge of a workplace injury. From the bustling floors of manufacturing plants to the quiet desks of office spaces, no one is immune to the risk. In 2022 alone, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a significant uptick in non-fatal workplace injuries, underscoring a concerning trend across all sectors. This rise in incidents highlights the critical importance of understanding your rights and the benefits available under South Carolina’s Workers’ Compensation Act. In recognition of World Health Day and echoing this year’s theme, “My Health, My Right,” we delve into the essential knowledge every worker in SC should have if they find themselves injured at work. Whether it’s a slip on a wet floor, a strain from heavy lifting, or the psychological toll of work-related stress, knowing what steps to take can make all the difference in securing your health, rights, and […]
March 19, 2024
In divorce cases falling under the broad “family law” umbrella, courts consistently prioritize the child’s well-being in their rulings. Therefore, as part of the divorce settlement, the family law court often includes a child support order. With money flowing into or out of the parents’ bank accounts, many often inquire about taxation. This article addresses the three most common questions about child support taxation. Have you ever wondered about any of these questions as well?
February 22, 2024
Overall, vaccines benefit human society. They help eradicate diseases, curb the spread of infectious illnesses, and prevent death. Most vaccine administrations don’t trigger significant complications, allowing individuals and society to function smoothly. And although rare, adverse reactions do occur, sparking debates and opposition regarding vaccine safety. Those voices don’t go unheard. The government provides various platforms for the public to report post-vaccination health issues, contributing to ongoing analyses and investigations to refine vaccines. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) is one such vaccine safety monitoring system. In this post, we explain what vaccine injuries and the VAERS are, and what your next steps should be.
February 22, 2024
Family law courts handle some of the most emotional and complex legal matters. Across the spectrum of family law cases, judges oversee life-altering decisions regarding marriage, parenthood, support obligations, and protecting vulnerable parties. This article explores five common types of cases handled in family law courts and provides an overview of the legal processes involved with each matter.
November 28, 2023
For the 14th year in a row, Bluestein Attorneys has been listed in the top tier of Best Law Firms for the Columbia area. Here are the practice areas in which the firm is honored in the Best Lawyers in America® annual list of top firms for 2024: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants A firm is not considered for this recognition unless it has at least one lawyer included in The Best Lawyers in America® in the same year. Bluestein Attorneys easily met that standard, since in August, three firm attorneys were honored with that distinction: Margaret Miles “Marti” Bluestein for her work in the area of Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants; Clarke Newton for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs; and Allison Sullivan in the areas of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Workers’ […]
August 17, 2023
Clients have learned from experience that Bluestein Attorneys will give them the representation they need to put their lives back together. Our community knows this, too. As such, it’s particularly gratifying when a respected national publication such as Best Lawyers in America acknowledges the quality of our work. Best Lawyers in America has named three of our partners to its Best Lawyers list for Columbia, and another of us to its 2024 “Ones to Watch” list. The attorneys and their practice areas are as follows: Margaret Miles “Marti” Bluestein: Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants Clarke Newton: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs Allison Sullivan: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs and Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants All three were on the 2023 list in connection with the same practice areas. Both Marti and Allison have made the list 10 times, and Clarke has done so for […]