Will Johnson, Frank Davis Named 2025 Best Lawyers® ‘Lawyer of the Year’ for Economic Development Law for Columbia, Greenville

COLUMBIA and GREENVILLE, SC (Feb. 20, 2025) – The 2025 edition of Best Lawyers® has named two Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd P.A. shareholders “Lawyer of the Year” for Economic Development Law in their respective regions.
 
HSB’s Economic Development practice group leader Will Johnson was recognized for his work in Columbia, South Carolina, while Frank Davis received a nod for his contributions in Greenville, South Carolina.
 
This year marks the second time Will has been named Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" for Economic Development Law in Columbia — having previously been recognized with the award in 2019. He was also named 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Business Organizations in Columbia. Frank was previously named Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" for Economic Development Law in Greenville in 2021 and 2023.
 
The Lawyer of the Year accolade is one of Best Lawyers’ highest distinctions, awarded to one lawyer per practice area in each jurisdiction to recognize only the most exceptional legal talent. For 2025, just over 5,000 attorneys nationwide received this honor, selected through Best Lawyers’ rigorous peer-review process.
 
Will has helped facilitate over $10 billion in domestic and foreign investment in South Carolina. His economic development work includes negotiating and drafting fee in lieu of tax (FILOT) agreements, structuring special source revenue credit (SSRC) arrangements and advising on incentives such as tax, job and economic development grants. Will also guides companies through state and local tax planning and property tax appeals, and represents local governments on FILOT and SSRC administration and GASB 77 compliance.
 
Frank represents both publicly and privately held companies in acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, strategic alliances, economic development transactions and general contract negotiations. He works with foreign and domestic companies in connection with U.S. transactions and operations and has extensive experience in legal matters related to business acquisition, location and expansion.
 
Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd is a leader in negotiating economic development and incentive transactions for clients relocating or expanding in South Carolina. In the past 10 years, the Economic Development group has negotiated and closed fee-in-lieu of tax transactions on projects representing billions of dollars of investment in the state. In addition, firm attorneys assist clients on structuring their investment, financing, real estate matters, permitting and available economic development incentives and in the implementation of such incentives.