John A. Sowards

John Sowards is chairman of the board for Nexsen Pruet.  In this leadership position Mr. Sowards is responsible for shaping the firm's vision and strategy.

His practice is focused on the areas of real estate, corporate and finance law.

He represents commercial lenders, real estate developers and closely held businesses on a variety of matters. His practice includes extensive experience with all aspects of shopping center and hotel development, as well as all aspects of commercial lending including troubled debt restructuring and workouts. His corporate practice consists of general representation of businesses on all matters related thereto including finance, acquisitions, mergers, employment, contracts and business negotiations.

Mr. Sowards grew up in Texas, received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Tennessee and his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was commissioned as a 2Lt in the US Army 1975 and served 4 years on active duty before heading to law school.  He is active in his community and served as a leader in a Boy Scout troop for nearly 12 years and as a youth sports coach for nearly 14 years.

Mr. Sowards has been married to his high school sweetheart for more than 35 years and has two grown sons.

MILITARY SERVICE 

• 4 years active duty
• 10 years active reservist

• Fifty-nine Attorneys Selected for Best Lawyers in America®; Five Practice Areas Listed Among Top in the Carolinas
  Nexsen Pruet is proud to announce that 59 of its attorneys have been named to the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers®.
• "Lawyer count at South Carolina's biggest firms falls again"
  Nexsen Pruet Board Chairman John Sowards tells South Carolina Lawyers Weekly that hiring is "focused on need" in an article entitled "Lawyer count at South Carolina's biggest firms falls again."
• "Lawyers lead Columbia firms in changed times"
  Nexsen Pruet board chairman John Sowards talks to The State newspaper about how the recession is changing the legal industry in an article entitled "Lawyers lead Columbia firms in changed times."
• John Sowards Elected Board Chairman
  Nexsen Pruet attorneys have elected John Sowards as the law firm’s Chairman of the Board.
• Nexsen Pruet Earns Designation as 'Midlands Green Business'
  Nexsen Pruet has earned designation as a Midlands Green Business, joining other Columbia-area organizations that are committed to environmentally responsible practices in the workplace.
• Fifty-eight Attorneys Selected for Best Lawyers in America®
  Fifty-eight Nexsen Pruet attorneys will be included in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
• Nexsen Pruet Creates Distressed Property and Workout Practice Group
  The new group will provide clients the necessary resources, skills, and expertise needed to navigate issues that emerge during periods of economic and financial uncertainty.