Nekki Shutt honored with SC Bar Labor and Employment Law Practitioner of the Year Award

Burnette Shutt & McDaniel co-founder Nekki Shutt added to her lengthy and illustrious list of honors recently when she received the SC Bar Labor and Employment Law Practitioner of the Year Award.

The Distinguished Employment Law Practitioner of the Year Award recognizes meritorious service to employment and labor law practice in South Carolina. Fellow attorneys Hagood Tighe and Frank Shuler nominated her. Shelia Abron, a member of the Labor and Employment Law Section Council, officially presented the honor.

Nekki has received numerous honors over the decades for her work as an employment lawyer, including six Best Lawyers in America Lawyer of the Year awards for Columbia in several employment law practice areas. The Labor and Employment Law Section recognition is remarkable because Tighe and Schuler both are defense attorneys. Nekki often finds herself as their opposing counsel in cases.

In her remarks as she presented the award, Shelia Abron praised Nekki, not only as legally brilliant, but also for her generosity with her voice, her leadership, and her impact. “In a profession that can sometimes reward ego, Nekki has consistently chosen impact,” Shelia said.

“While building an elite litigation practice, Nekki also found time to mentor young lawyers, teach law students, write extensively, lead Bar initiatives, organize countless CLE programs, advocate for civil rights, and help shape some of the most important legal conversations in our state.” Shelia said. She went on to list Nekki’s accomplishments such as founding the SC Bar Civil Rights Section after the killing of George Floyd and her role in litigation that brought marriage equality to South Carolina.

A long-time South Carolina Supreme Court-certified specialist in employment law, Nekki also was recently sworn in as president of the SC Bar.

In a poetic instance of history rhyming, the first Distinguished Employment Law Practitioner of the Year Award was bestowed 15 years ago. It was awarded to Burnette Shutt & McDaniel co-founder M. Malissa Burnette. Nekki was section chair at the time.