CHARLESTON, S.C., August 20, 2026 — Saxton & Stump is pleased to announce that eight attorneys in its Charleston, SC office have earned recognition in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, one of the legal industry’s longest-standing and most respected peer-review publications.
For over four decades, Best Lawyers has compiled its annual rankings through a rigorous, confidential peer-review process involving top attorneys nationwide, with the goal of spotlighting exceptional legal talent across practice areas.
The eight Saxton & Stump attorneys honored on the 2027 Best Lawyers in America® list from the firm’s Charleston office are:
Cherie W. Blackburn has been named to the list in five categories each year since 2005: Copyright Law; Employment Law – Management; Labor Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment; and Trademark Law. She received the prestigious honor of being named “Lawyer of the Year” in two different practice categories — Litigation – Labor and Employment and Employment Law – Management — in the 2026 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Blackburn is a shareholder and a member of the Labor and Employment, Business Litigation and Strategic Solutions, and Intellectual Property Litigation groups.
Bijan K. Ghom made the Best Lawyers list for the first time this year, earning recognition in the Litigation – Trusts and Estates category. He was previously named to the Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch” list, which honors attorneys who have been in practice for five to nine years and have demonstrated outstanding professional excellence early in their careers. Ghom practices in the firm’s Business and Corporate, Business Litigation and Strategic Solutions, Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Litigation, Trusts and Estates, Labor and Employment, and Litigation groups.
D. Michael Henthorne has earned recognition in the Litigation – Labor and Employment and Employment Law – Management categories every year since 2013. In 2024, Best Lawyers named him “Lawyer of the Year” for Employment Law – Management in the Columbia, SC region. Henthorne is a shareholder in the Labor and Employment and Business Litigation and Strategic Solutions groups.
Elizabeth “Beth” J. Palmer was named to the list for the seventh straight year in Commercial Litigation and was also recognized for a second year in Litigation – Trusts and Estates. Palmer is a shareholder in the firm’s Trusts and Estates, Labor and Employment, Litigation, and Business Litigation and Strategic Solutions groups.
Alice F. Paylor was recognized in six categories: Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Employment Law – Individuals; Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment; and Litigation – Trusts and Estates. She has been named to the Best Lawyers list for 18 consecutive years. Paylor earned the Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year” honor in the Charleston, SC region for Litigation – Labor and Employment in 2017, and was named again for Bet-the-Company Litigation in 2019 and 2025. Paylor is a shareholder at Saxton & Stump and a member of the Labor and Employment, Litigation, Education, and Business Litigation and Strategic Solutions groups.
Christy L. Rogers made the list in the Litigation – Labor and Employment category for the third consecutive year. She is a shareholder at Saxton & Stump and is a member of the Labor and Employment and Business Litigation and Strategic Solutions groups.
Rene Stuhr Dukes made her debut on the Best Lawyers list in the Family Law category. She is a shareholder at Saxton & Stump, where she serves as co-chair of the Family Law group and is a member of the Education and Labor and Employment groups.
Senior counsel Isabelle S. Young was named to the list for the second year in the Commercial Litigation category. Young is a member of the firm’s Investigations, White Collar and Criminal Defense, Litigation, Title IX, Education, and Appellate Advocacy groups.
“This recognition reflects the depth of talent we’ve built in Charleston and the trust our clients place in this team every day,” said James W. Saxton, chairman of Saxton & Stump. “As we continue to grow our presence across South Carolina, having this caliber of attorneys recognized by their peers is a strong signal of where this office is headed.”
Saxton & Stump’s strategic growth outlook
Saxton & Stump continues to expand its Charleston office, offering a full range of legal and consulting services across South Carolina. The firm is a dynamic, full-service organization of nearly 300 professionals, including more than 150 attorneys and more than 40 paralegals across 11 offices. This expanding platform enhances the firm’s ability to serve clients and includes seven growing affiliated companies that extend its business advisory reach nationwide.
Saxton & Stump provides solutions to complex legal and business challenges with five-star service and results-focused advice, offering a refreshingly different experience for clients, attorneys, and business professionals alike.
