ABOTA officers attending the Annual Black Tie Dinner were (l–r, seated) Luther Battiste, president–elect of SEABOTA; Susan McWilliams, past president of S.C. ABOTA; Reece Williams, past S.C. ABOTA and national ABOTA president; Sam Mabry, president of S.C. ABOTA; Lewis Cromer, National ABOTA Board member; (standing) Mike Kelly, past president of S.C. ABOTA; Mark Buyck, past president of S.C. ABOTA and national ABOTA Board member; Ron Stanley, president–elect of S.C. ABOTA; Samuel Outten, secretary-treasurer of S.C. ABOTA; and Joel Collins, past president of national ABOTA. The South Carolina Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) held its Annual Black Tie Dinner February 11, 2010, at the Summit Club in Columbia. Chapter President Sam Mabry III recognized Luther J. Battiste III, a member of the ABOTA National Board, as the president– elect of SEABOTA (the regional association). Ronald Stanley was introduced as president–elect of the South Carolina Chapter of ABOTA.

The Honorable Henry M. Herlong Jr. and his wife Fran. Judge Herlong was honored by ABOTA at Jurist of the Year. The Honorable Karen J. Williams was honored for her service on the Court of Appeals, and Thomas O. Traxler was presented with the Trial Lawyer of the Year Award. Special recognition was given to Mike Kelly, past president of the Columbia Chapter of ABOTA; and Joel Collins, past president of National ABOTA.

The Honorable Henry M. Herlong Jr., U.S. District Judge, was recognized for his long service to justice and civility. Ben C. Harrison, Reece Williams, and Joel Collins gave testimonials to Herlong and presented him with awards.
New ABOTA members installed were (l–r, seated) Dennis Cannon Jr., V. Clark Price, William Brown, (standing) Ruskin Foster, and James Fayssoux Jr.
(Right) Attending the ABOTA Annual Black Tie Dinner were (l–r, sitting) Sam Mabry, president of S.C. ABOTA; Jan Gunderson, speaker at Masters in Trial; John Phelps, past president of National ABOTA; (standing) Walter Pratt, dean of USC Law School; and Ron Stanley, president–elect of S.C. ABOTA.