Molly Hughes, John Emerson Certified As Specialists in Employment and Labor Law

Columbia, SC - The South Carolina Supreme Court has certified Nexsen Pruet attorneys Mary ("Molly") L. Hughes and John F. Emerson as Specialists in Employment and Labor Law.

The designation, which required Hughes and Emerson to pass an interview and a written examination, brings to eight the number of Nexsen Pruet lawyers who are certified in employment and labor law - more than any other multi-practice firm in South Carolina.

"This not only underscores the value that Molly and John bring to our firm, but also reinforces the overall strength of our Employment and Labor Group," said Leighton Lord, chairman of the board of Nexsen Pruet. "Their experience and abilities provide considerable depth in an area that is critical to the businesses we serve."

Hughes, a Member (partner) of the firm in Charleston, represents management on a broad range of issues. A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and an adjunct professor at the Charleston School of Law, she also practices with the firm’s Business Litigation Group.

Before joining Nexsen Pruet, Hughes clerked for the Honorable David C. Norton of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division.

Emerson, Special Counsel in the Columbia office, practices in the firm’s Employment Group and in the Business Litigation Group. He has appeared before courts and administrative bodies at both the state and federal levels, and is a frequent speaker on employment issues.

In 2005, the Alumni Association of the USC School of Law presented him with its Silver Compleat Lawyer Award, which recognizes graduates for their skills, ethics, integrity, and contributions to the legal profession. From 2001 - 2004 Emerson served as Chairman of the South Carolina Educational Television Commission. He was appointed by Governor Jim Hodges to lead the Commission, which oversees South Carolina's public television and radio networks

Nexsen Pruet, LLC is one of the largest law firms in the Carolinas, with more than 170 attorneys and offices in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Hilton Head, and Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Charlotte and Greensboro, N.C. Founded in 1945, Nexsen Pruet provides a broad range of legal services to the business community and represents companies and other entities in local, state, national, and international venues.