Compleat Lawyer Awards presented to 9 USC alumni.

Nine alumni from the University of South Carolina's School of Law have received 2019 Compleat Lawyer Awards.

The annual awards are given in three categories based on years in practice: platinum (31 years or more); gold (16-30 years) and silver (15 or less). The recipients were recognized at the School of Law's 27th Annual Compleat Lawyer Awards ceremony on Thursday.

"This year's recipients are servant leaders, champions of diversity and inclusion, and advocates for the disadvantaged," Robert M. Wilcox, dean of the School of Law, said on the university's website. "Each one leads with a true collegial spirit, embodying all aspects of what it means to be a Compleat Lawyer."

The 2019 Compleat Lawyer Award recipients are:

Platinum Awards:

M. Malissa Burnette, Burnette, co-founder of Columbia law firm Burnette Shutt & McDaniel PA and a 1977 alumna

Karl A Folkens of Folkens Law Firm PA in Florence and a 1981 alumnus

C. Ben Garren of The Coca-Cola Co. in Atlanta and a 1987 alumnus

Gold Awards:

John T. Lay Jr. of Gallivan White & Boyd PA in Charleston and a 1991 alumnus

Boyd B. Nicholson of Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd PA in Greenville and a 1992 alumnus

Matthew T. Richardson of Wyche PA in Columbia and a 1998 alumnus

Silver Awards:

Miles E. Coleman of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Greenville and a 2009 alumnus

Allison P. Sullivan of Bluestein Thompson Sullivan LLC in Columbia and a 2005 alumna

Sheila Willis of Fisher & Phillips LLP in Columbia and a 2011 alumna

The Compleat Lawyer Award, established in 1992, is the law school's highest recognition of professional achievement and civic leadership. Recipients are nominated by members of the S.C. Bar or the public and are selected by a...