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Nekki Shutt wins seventh Lawyer of the Year award from Best Lawyers in America

September 3, 2026   •   Featured, News

COLUMBIA, SC – Congratulations to Nekki Shutt, who has earned her seventh Lawyer of the Year award in Best Lawyers in America®.

This latest honor is for her work in Employment Law – Individuals in the Columbia area. Her previous Lawyer of the Year awards for the Columbia area have recognized her work in that practice area and in Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law.

“This is another well-deserved honor for our partner, leader, and dear friend,” firm co-founder M. Malissa Burnette said. “It’s truly been a privilege to work with Nekki for more than a decade and to see the knowledge, determination, and commitment she brings to every case.”

Nekki has been a state Supreme Court-certified specialist in employment law for more than 15 years. Her practice includes a full range of employment-law matters, including discrimination, equal pay, wrongful termination, and more.

Through her employee benefits practice, she fights for employees wrongfully denied benefits they’re entitled to under federal ERISA and similar South Carolina state laws. This includes short- and long-term disability claims, life-insurance claims, and group health-insurance claims.

Her practice also includes civil rights law, personal injury litigation, and qui tam whistleblower cases.

Currently president of the South Carolina Bar, Nekki has litigated cases that have changed lives. This includes the landmark case that paved the way for marriage equality in South Carolina.

Across the firm, the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers in America and its companion piece, Best Lawyers®: Ones to Watch, were another strong showing for Burnette Shutt & McDaniel. All told, 10 Burnette Shutt & McDaniel attorneys are included in the national directories across a diverse array of more than a dozen practice areas. Nekki led the way with honors in nine practice areas.

About Best Lawyers

 Best Lawyers in America selects honorees based on evaluations from other attorneys in the same cities and practice areas and independent research. The attorney with the highest overall peer feedback is designated as the Lawyer of the Year.