Burnette, Rhodes, Shutt honored in Best Lawyers in America

COLUMBIA, SC – Malissa Burnette, Janet Rhodes and Nekki Shutt are recognized with 12 honors in the latest edition of Best Lawyers in America. The list includes Columbia “Lawyer of the Year” awards for Burnette and Shutt.

Burnette is Columbia “Lawyer of the Year” in Employment Law – Individuals, an honor she’s won twice previously. Shutt is Columbia “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation – ERISA. It’s her fourth straight “Lawyer of the Year” award. They, along with partner Janet Rhodes, also were recognized Litigation – Labor and Employment and Employment Law – Individuals.

“When we created Burnette Shutt & McDaniel, one of our guiding principles was a commitment to fight for others,” firm co-founder Kathleen McDaniel said. “It’s great to see all three of my partners honored for their litigation skills and to know that peers recognize that tenacity.”

All three were recognized for their work in employment law, and the firm also earned honors in other areas. The complete list:

  • Burnette: Civil Rights Law, Employment Law – Individuals, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Mediation.
  • Rhodes: Employment Law – Individuals, Litigation – Labor and Employment.
  • Nekki Shutt: Commercial Litigation, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Employment Law – Individuals, Employment Law – Management, Litigation – ERISA, Litigation – Labor and Employment.

About Best Lawyers

Published annually since 1983, Best Lawyers in America is one of the oldest peer-reviewed guides to the legal profession. The selection process begins with a nomination from another attorney. Next, attorneys included in previous editions are asked to evaluate lawyers in their cities and practice areas. Those assessments, along with independent research, determine Top 10 lists across a wide array of practice areas.

A Lawyer of the Year goes to the attorney in each city and each practice area who receives the highest overall peer feedback.

A companion piece, Best Law Firms in America, is released in November. Burnette Shutt & McDaniel has been ranked in Tier 1 in that guide consistently since the firm’s founding.