President Grady L. Beard, Esq., Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC, Columbia, SC
Vice President Dewana F. Looper, Esq., Atkins Law Firm, Columbia, SC
Secretary Stephanie L. Pugh, Esq., McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLC, Greenville, SC
Treasurer Michael S. Swindell, Esq., Harris & Graves, PA, Greenville, SC
Grady L. Beard, Esq. is a Founding Member with Robinson Gray Stepp & Laffitte, LLC, in Columbia, SC. He focuses his practice on Workers’ Compensation Defense, Workers’ Compensation Mediation, Alternative Dispute Resolution and also practices in the Firm’s Appellate Practice Group. He attended Louisiana State University and received his BS degree from Northwestern State University, Summa Cum Laude. He received his JD degree from Emory University School of Law. Grady is a Fellow in the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, and is an Advisory Board Member for Larson’s National Workers’ Compensation Group. Grady has previously served as co-chair for the Workers’ Compensation Section of the SC Defense Trial Attorneys Association, and is a former Board member of Palmetto Place Children’s Emergency Shelter.
Dewana F. Looper, Esq., Dewana Looper practices at the Atkins Law Firm in Columbia. She focuses her practice on helping injured workers. Dewana earned her BA from the University of South Carolina Honors College, magna cum laude, and earned her J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where she graduated cum laude in 2008. Dewana spent the first nine years of her legal career practicing workers’ compensation on the defense side before joining the Atkins Law Firm in 2017. She is dually licensed in both NC and SC. Dewana regularly speaks at seminars on workers’ compensation topics and has been an active member of the SCWCEA. When she isn’t practicing law, Dewana enjoys spending time with her husband of 14 years, her two rotten children, friends, and family. She also loves Gamecocks sports—even when the Gamecocks stink.
Stephanie Pugh, Esq., focuses her practice on workers’ compensation defense in the Greenville, SC office of McAngus, Goudelock & Courie, LLC. She regularly speaks and presents in the area of workers’ compensation at state-wide seminars. Stephanie is a cum laude graduate from the University of South Carolina where she received a BA degree, a magna cum laude graduate from the University of North Carolina Pembroke receiving a BS degree and received her JD degree, cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Outside of her practice, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and cheering on the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Michael S. Swindell, Esq. focuses his practice on Workers’ Compensation and Social Security cases at Harris & Graves, PA’s Greenville, SC office. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and his JD degree from the University of South Carolina School of law. Michael served in the South Carolina Army National Guard for a decade and reached the rank of Captain. He is a current member of the South Carolina Bar, South Carolina Injured Workers’ Advocates, and serves as the Legislative Designee for the Richland County Transportation Committee. Michael is married and has three boys. His hobbies center around sports, including football, wrestling and fishing. He is currently a member of Chapin United Methodist Church and enjoys singing in the church choir.
Two Board of Directors were also elected and they are Regan A. Cobb, Esq., Holder Padgett Littlejohn + Prickett, LLC, Mt. Pleasant, SC; Linda McCallister, Planned Administrators, Inc. (PAI), Columbia, SC.
“All of our board members bring a wide range of professional experience and diversity of perspective to the SCWCEA. I look forward to working with each of them to advance the mission of this association”, says Grady L. Beard, Esq., President Elect. “The SCWCEA continues to attract some of the best and brightest in the industry.”
Regan A. Cobb, Esq. practices in the Charleston office of Holder Padgett Littlejohn + Prickett, LLC (HPLP) and she has worked exclusively in the field of Workers’ Compensation Defense since 2001. Prior to joining HPLP, Regan was an equity member of a large insurance defense firm located throughout the Southeast. Regan has extensive knowledge in all aspects of worker’s compensation litigation including subrogation and appeals. She represents employers, insurance carriers, self-insureds, government entities, and third party administrators in multiple industries including healthcare, construction, hospitality, staff services, retail and manufacturing. She is also a Certified Circuit Court Mediator. With her vast knowledge and experience, Regan often provides lectures, seminars, and training on current issues that impact those in the field of Workers’ Compensation. Regan has been a member of the Worker’s Compensation Defense Insurance Multi-State Group for over 12 years presenting annually at the WCI annual Worker’s Compensation Conference in Florida. Before joining a firm, Regan was a Solicitor for the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Regan resides in the Charleston area and enjoys spending her time with her family, with her 2 dogs, and rooting for her Gamecocks.
Linda McCallister is a Manager for the Property and Casualty Claims division of PAI. Prior to joining PAI, Linda was a supervisor with Companion TPA and worked in workers’ compensation insurance as a senior adjuster with PHT Services and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. She had previously worked in commercial claims with Seibels Bruce Group and Colonial Life Insurance Company. She has been handling claims since 1983. As a Manager, Linda is responsible for five adjusters that handle workers’ compensation and liability claims in multiple states. Linda was born and raised in Peru, South America and is a graduate of Columbia International University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She has also earned designations in Associate of Claims, Associate of Insurance Services and is a Certified Workers Compensation Professional. She has completed the Mid Management Certificate Course offered by the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina
“We are pleased to welcome these two new members to the SCWCEA Board”, says Grady L. Beard, Esq., SCWCEA President Elect, “The additions of these professionals shows the broad scope of workers’ compensation community with all segments of the industry well represented. We look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead to advance the programs of the SCWCEA.”
About the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association
The SCWCEA is a non-profit organization of over 800 workers' compensation professionals from throughout the United States. It conducts educational programs and provides educational resources for its members and the general public pertaining to the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Act and its administration by the South Carolina Workers' Compensation Commission. These programs and resources keep our members up-to-date on the very latest on medical and legal issues related to workers' comp. For information, visit http://www.scwcea.org.
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