Murrells Inlet, SC

Jeff Morris

I believe in representing good people who were wrongfully injured and feel they do not have a voice to speak for them. I am a dedicated and passionate voice for the injured. I am not afraid to take on big insurance companies, corporations, or employers. I understand that every single one of my clients is going through a challenging time and suffering from serious injuries due to no fault of their own, whether those serious injuries are caused by a negligent traffic pattern design, drunk driver, distracted truck operator, or a negligent motorist. I focus my practice on car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, pedestrian accidents, cases involving injured workers, and negligent death. I am especially passionate to help individuals fight for the medical treatment they deserve and fair treatment from the insurance companies.

Mark A. Nappier

Mark Nappier has been practicing in the field of civil litigation since 1991. He is licensed to practice law in South Carolina and North Carolina and has concentrated his practice in the area of personal injury, to include automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, and wrongful death. In addition to his personal injury work, Mr. Nappier also does significant trial work in the areas of contract law, real estate litigation, and collections. Mr. Nappier also represents numerous Homeowners Associations in South and North Carolina. In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Nappier is also licensed by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Mediator.

Ranny Stephens

Born and raised in Manning, SC, Ranny Stephens comes from deep southern roots. Brought up helping his father, the Coroner of Clarendon County for 20 years, and working within the family-run funeral business, he found a passion for public service early. Ranny graduated from Manning High School and then attended Newberry College on a football scholarship. He wasn’t there long before transferring to the University of South Carolina to dedicate his full attention to academics pursuing a major in Philosophy while minoring in Criminal Justice. Although accepted to law school immediately, Ranny elected to take some time to support the family business and also worked in construction. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart, and the new family found their way to Georgetown, SC. When his first daughter was born, Ranny decided to return to his legal calling by enrolling in the Charleston School of Law, where he received the CALI Award for Legal Research and Writing and Pro Bono Award along with serving on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Ranny went on to work for the late John Hilliard in private practice before accepting a clerkship with the Honorable Benjamin H. Culbertson. He then served as a prosecutor for the 15th Circuit Solicitor exposing him to every manner of crime from shoplifting to homicide. Ranny left his role as an Assistant Solicitor to join The Law Office of Erin E. Bailey where he put his trial experience to work practicing mainly in criminal defense. In 2023, Ranny partnered with Robert H. O’Donnell to form O’Donnell and Stephens Law Firm, a comprehensive law firm that focuses on helping the people of Georgetown in many areas of law. Ranked among the Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in South Carolina by the National Trial Lawyers, Ranny leads with de-escalation first and prides himself on finding resolutions to complex matters using solid relationships established across the justice system and establishing steady ground between his clients and those deciding their fates. Results driven, Ranny is committed to the best outcome for his clients. Though focused on calming waters and steadying the ship first, he won’t hesitate to rock the boat if pushed to fiercely advocating for his client’s brighter futures. When it comes to his clients, Ranny genuinely and deeply cares what happens to them. For him, practicing law is a calling that will continue a longstanding family legacy of purpose and public service.

Caroline Lawson

Caroline Lawson was born in Savannah and raised in Easley, South Carolina. She attended Pickens County public schools, where she was active in sports, student government and worked at the famous Joe’s Ice Cream Parlor. She graduated from Clemson University cum laude in three years followed immediately by law school at the University of South Carolina. During law school, she served as head law clerk at the Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Immediately after graduation, she served a year-long judicial clerkship with the Honorable George C. James, Jr., who is currently seated on the Supreme Court of South Carolina. Prior to joining the Swilley Law Firm, Caroline primarily practiced as a public defender in several counties, where she handled matters ranging from misdemeanors to murder charges. Her practice with the Swilley Law Firm focuses on criminal defense and personal injury matters, where she strives to provide zealous and compassionate representation for all of her clients. She is admitted to practice in state and federal court, and has successfully represented hundreds of individuals over the years of her practice. Caroline is an active member of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Florence County Bar. In 2018, she received the President’s Award from the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for her service to her clients, and in 2023 the Young Lawyers Division gave her a Star of the Quarter Award. She has served as an instructor through the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy as well as the South Carolina Bar Law Talks and Law School for Non-Lawyers programs. She serves on the State Board of Directors as Risk Management Chair for Salkehatchie Summer Service, a charity organization that repairs homes for the needy in every county in South Carolina. Through that program, she has helped gut and repair countless homes in Marlboro County, South Carolina during her service of over 20 years to the mission. In her spare time, Caroline likes to bake, fish (not always catch), exercise, read, bird hunt, see live music, travel, and spend time with her boyfriend Newman, rambunctious lab puppy Scout (named for the character in to Kill a Mockingbird) and well-fed cat Cheeseburger.

Matthew Sherrod Swilley

I dedicate my practice almost exclusively to criminal law, client defense and personal injury. Having represented hundreds of clients in all levels of state court, I know how scary it can be to be hurt in an accident or accused of a crime. Whether you are defending yourself against criminal charges or pursuing a personal injury claim to gain compensation for your injury, there’s a lot at stake. It’s important to seek help early on, so that your rights are protected if you’re accused of a crime and you don’t get taken advantage of by an insurance company if you’re injured. An experienced lawyer can help alleviate your stress. I try to do this for my clients by providing the skill and personal attention that each individual deserves for their case.

Danny Lee Willard Jr.

Danny Lee Willard, Jr., was born and raised in a small, milltown in the Upstate of South Carolina. Lee attended the University of South Carolina - Upstate where he received a Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, in Secondary Education. Lee then taught high school social studies in the South Carolina public school system. After ending his teaching career, Lee found his true passion in the law. He attended the Charleston School of Law where he received his Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, in 2015. During his time in law school, Lee served on the Charleston School of Law’s Moot Court Board, winning awards in multiple national competitions, and served on the Charleston Law Review. After graduating from law school, Lee and his wife, Ashley, moved to Columbia, South Carolina where he began his legal practice with a large, personal injury law firm. During his career, Lee has aggressively represented thousands of clients who were injured through the carelessness of others. In 2020, Lee and his wife moved to Aiken where they now reside with their daughter and dog. Lee has a deep understanding of insurance claims and civil litigation. Lee is eager to continue helping both the people of South Carolina and the CSRA.

Thomas D. “Val” Guest Jr.

Thomas D. “Val” Guest, Jr. is a partner of Ouverson & Guest, PA, in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. He has been actively litigating cases since 1990, and possesses extensive experience in counseling clients on criminal, domestic, and civil issues. A certified civil court and domestic relations mediator, Mr. Guest practices in the areas of business law, criminal defense, family law, auto accidents, real estate law, and general litigation. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Citadel in 1982 and a Juris Doctor from the University Of South Carolina School Of Law in 1989. A member of the South Carolina Bar, Val was admitted to practice before the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court of South Carolina. Mr. Guest is a former law clerk for the Honorable John H. Waller, Jr. and former prosecutor for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of S.C., which includes Horry and Georgetown counties. He is also a member of the American Bar Association and the Horry County Bar Association, of which he is a past president.