The Finklea Law Firm, LLC announces it will change its name to Finklea, Hendrick and Blake, LLC effective July 1, 2020 signifying a change in structure and ownership. Gary I. Finklea opened the firm in January 2004. Charlie Blake joined in 2006 and Greg Hendrick in 2007. Finklea announces the change in recognition of the dedication, service, and commitment his colleagues have made to the firm, to its clients, and to the community.

It was always Finklea’s vision to operate a business where he could serve the community where he was born and raised and make contributions both legal and benevolent. This partnership is not only a culmination of Finklea’s vision, but it also allows his colleagues to achieve their professional goals and for the firm to continue its mission through other attorneys for decades to come.

Other than the new name, the firm does not expect any noticeable changes to be seen from the outside. However, the firm has recently hired three new staff members and anticipates a large building expansion at its Florence office. The firm has grown from one attorney and one staff member to six attorneys and sixteen staff members. The firm’s first office was at 814 West Evans and has expanded into buildings at 816 and 820 West Evans. It opened an office at 2554 E. Hwy 76 Marion in 2017 and 101 South Main Street, Hemingway in 2020.

The firm is committed to exemplary representation of its clients through hiring experienced staff members that excel in their practice areas. Additionally, the firm utilizes what most in the industry consider the best legal software available. This technology combined with a competent staff allows the firm to deliver legal services in a timely manner and at an affordable price.

Finklea, Hendrick & Blake, LLC is a local firm. All lawyers work and live in the Pee Dee area. Attorneys are always available to meet with clients unlike other firms with no real presence in the area. The firm has rich history of supporting local charities and events, such as: The School Foundation, Palmetto Project, The Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, House of Hope, Lighthouse Ministry, Florence Area Literacy Council, Salvation Army, Cooks for Christ, Florence Humane Society, The Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, South Carolina BBQ Shag Festival, Carolina Classic Sporting Clays, McLeod Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, A Choice to Make, Tenacious Grace, Pee Dee Realtors Association, Home Builders Association of the Pee Dee, Florence County Economic Development Partnership, local Chambers of Commerce, and many more. Finklea Law Firm also is a vast supporter of local law enforcement agencies, public and private schools, and countless church ministries, along with serving families in need.

Gary I. Finklea was raised in Pamplico, South Carolina. Finklea is the son of an engineer who also farmed, which helped him develop a good work ethic. Finklea’s experiences on the farm helped him gain a love of the Pee Dee– his experiences in farming and particularly in tobacco convinced him to go to college! He graduated from Francis Marion University and earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina. Finklea graduated with honors from both institutions. He then served as law clerk for one of the most esteemed trial judges, Ralph King Anderson, Jr. Finklea primarily handles personal injury and other litigation matters.

Charlie J. Blake Jr. received his law degree from the University of South Carolina and worked at a state-wide collection firm and as a staff attorney at the Department to Social Services before serving three years as Florence County attorney and interim administrator. Although Blake grew up in Georgia, he graduated from the prestigious Davidson College in North Carolina. Blake primarily handles personal injury and other litigation matters.

Greg Hendrick graduated from the University of South Carolina and works almost exclusively in transactional type matters, primarily with residential and commercial real estate. Hendrick is also a licensed title insurance agent which facilitates real estate closings. Hendrick was born and raised in Florence and worked his way through college and law school at different law firms learning operations from the ground up.

In addition to Finklea, Hendrick and Blake, the firm’s other attorneys are Patrick Ford, O’Neil Edwards and Susan McGill.

Patrick Buel Ford received his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2014, where he graduated with honors. Ford was admitted to practice law in Wisconsin in 2014 and was admitted to practice law in South Carolina in 2016. He joined the Finklea Law Firm in May of 2015. He practices in a variety of areas including civil litigation, transactional and business matters, and real estate litigation.

J. O’Neill Edwards attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia and obtained here Bachelor of Arts in History. She received her Juris Doctorate from Charlotte School of Law. Edwards was admitted to practice law in South Carolina in 2015 and the Federal District Court of South Carolina in 2017. She joined Finklea Law Firm in 2019. Her practice areas are Consumer, Probate, Estate Planning, Landlord/Tenant Issues, and Family Law.

Susan C. McGill attended the University of South Carolina for undergraduate studies. McGill received her Juris Doctor from Charlotte School of Law. She was admitted to practice law in North Carolina in 2013 and South Carolina in 2014. After law school, McGill served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Thomas A. Russo. McGill has been employed for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office as an Assistant Solicitor for several years. She joined Finklea Law Firm in 2019. Her practice areas are Personal Injury, Criminal Law, and Family Law.

Finklea Law Firm Practices in a wide array of legal areas. Those areas include: Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Workers Compensation, Medical Malpractice, Estate Planning, Social Security Disability, Residential and Commercial Real Estate Closings, Real Estate related Litigation, Business Formation and Transactions, Family Law, and Criminal Law.