Press Releases

Chambers and Partners Ranks GWB as a Leading Law Firm in South Carolina 2026; Five attorneys also ranked

[Greenville S.C. – June 4, 2026] Gallivan White Boyd (GWB) is honored to announce its inclusion as a ranked law firm in Chambers USA 2026, recognized as a leading firm in both Insurance and Litigation: General Commercial in South Carolina. GWB was selected based on an independent and in-depth market analysis, coupled with an assessment of the firm’s experience, expertise and caliber of talent. This recognition underscores the firm’s position as a key player in the legal landscape, offering clients access to high-quality legal representation from a team of dedicated attorneys with a commitment to excellence and superior performance. In addition, five GWB Partners were recognized with individual honors.

John T. Lay, Jr. (Insurance and Litigation: General Commercial)
With 34 years of experience managing complex, high-stakes litigation, John T. has tried more than 100 cases to verdict. He served as President of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) from 2016-2017, President of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates from 2015-2016 and was also President of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association from 2008-2009. John T. has been recognized extensively by his peers, including being listed in Lexology Index Product Liability and Healthcare and Life Sciences as a Global Thought Leader since 2016. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2008, selected “Lawyer of the Year” in Best Lawyers for Insurance (2016, 2017); Mass Torts and Class Actions (2018, 2020); Personal Injury – Defendants (2019, 2025); Product Liability – Defendants (2022); and Bet the Company Litigation (2024). Since 2008, John T. has been recognized by Super Lawyers and was named to the South Carolina Top 25 list in 2014 and 2018-2026, and to the South Carolina Top 10 list in 2019 and 2024-2026. He was also recently selected in the inaugural Forbes Listing as one of eight lawyers who are “Best in State”. John T. has been ranked by Chambers since 2013 and attained tier Band 1 for 2025 and 2026.

A. Johnston Cox (Insurance)
For the past 30 years, Johnston’s practice has focused on insurance litigation, business litigation and complex personal injury matters. Johnston has tried over 50 cases to verdict. He has obtained an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America since 2013 including Lawyer of the Year honors for Insurance in 2024. He has also been acknowledged by South Carolina Super Lawyers for business litigation since 2018. Dedicated to the advancement of the legal profession, Johnston received the ADTA President’s Award for Outstanding Service in 2021 and the South Carolina Leadership in Law Award from the South Carolina Lawyer’s Weekly in 2017. A member of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC), Johnston is currently serving as President of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA).

Gray T. Culbreath (Litigation: General Commercial)
Gray represents corporations, individuals and insurers in trials and appeals. For over 35 years he has handled complex trials and appeals in federal and state courts across South Carolina and as a trial attorney, he has tried over 100 cases to jury verdict. Gray has been recognized by numerous legal publications including Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star since 2015. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America since 2009 and was named Lawyer of the Year in multiple practice areas including Appellate Practice, Bet the Company Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Action-Defendants and Product Liability Litigation-Defendants. Gray has been honored by South Carolina Super Lawyers every year since 2008, and most recently recognized in the inaugural Legal 500 US Elite Southeast for 2026. In addition, he is a past president of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association. Gray also served as President of the Southeastern American Board of Trial Advocates (SEABOTA) for 2025-2026. Gray has been ranked by Chambers since 2014.

Jennifer E. Johnsen (Insurance)
Jennifer focuses her practice on insurance coverage, ERISA/non-ERISA benefits and business and commercial litigation. With more than 30 years of trial and litigation experience representing insurers in insurance coverage litigation, including extra-contractual and bad faith claims, Jennifer was named a Fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel in 2019. She has been recognized since 2012 by Best Lawyers in America and was named Lawyer of the Year for Insurance Law in 2022. She has been distinguished by South Carolina Super Lawyers in the area of insurance coverage since 2020. Jennifer was named Leadership in Law Honoree in 2023 and Influential Women of Law in 2024 by South Carolina Lawyers Weekly and was most recently recognized in the inaugural Legal 500 US Elite Southeast for 2026. Jennifer also holds numerous leadership positions in the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) where she received the Appleman Award in 2014 and currently serves as President-Elect.

Lindsay A. Joyner (Litigation: General Commercial)
Lindsay has been a part of GWB since 2012 and focuses her practice on business and commercial litigation, lender liability, professional negligence and high net-worth trusts and estates litigation. She has been a leader within the South Carolina Bar since 2013, serving in multiple positions and was recently sworn in as President-Elect. Lindsay is a member of the IR Global, International Association of Defense Counsel, South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association and South Carolina Women Lawyers Association. Among her honors include South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Leadership in Law Honoree, South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Excellence in Law Honoree, South Carolina Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Law Honoree, and South Carolina Super Lawyers. Lindsay was most recently recognized in the inaugural Legal 500 US Elite Southeast for 2026. She has consistently been ranked by Best Lawyers in America since 2020, achieving Lawyer of the Year for Litigation, Trusts and Estates, in 2026. Lindsay has been ranked by Chambers since 2022.

About Chambers and Partners
Chambers is the leading legal data and intelligence partner for lawyers, firms and in-house teams. Their independent, rigorous and trusted research identifies the exceptional talent and crucial insights on which success is built. Beyond rankings, Chambers delivers proprietary data, market analysis and competitive insights that help firms and in-house teams see with clarity, decide with confidence and plan with ambition.