Jay Babb is a partner at Cromer Babb & Porter, LLC and has been practicing employment law for over 13 years. He is a well-known member of the employment law bar and has successfully represented public and private employees, including federal government employees, in employment law cases throughout  South Carolina. Jay has tried federal, state, and EEO cases to a jury or bench verdict. Jay has also argued appeals before the South Carolina Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and South Carolina Supreme Court.

Elizabeth M. Bowen “Beth” has a passion for representing the underrepresented. She represents workers in employment suits, plaintiffs in general civil litigation, and children in education and family law matters. Beth has been around the law her whole life and started working for Cromer Babb & Porter, LLC (then J. Lewis Cromer & Associates, LLC) when she was 19. She comes from a long line of successful Plaintiff’s lawyers. Her father and grandfather (Benjamin “Ben” Bowen Sr. and Benjamin “Chuck” Bowen Jr.) are both known for their successful worker’s compensation and civil litigation practice in Greenville, South Carolina.

Lewis Cromer retired from the active practice of law in 2021, but he remains a retired member of Cromer Babb & Porter. Lewis served the legal community with dedication and distinction for more than 60 years. Widely recognized as one of the best trial lawyers in the Southeast, Lewis has handled hundreds of jury trials and held state and national leadership positions in many of the distinguished associations and organizations of his profession during his 60-year career. 

Bryan Hall is an associate attorney at Cromer Babb & Porter with a background in government practice and appellate advocacy. Before joining the firm, he served as a Judicial Law Clerk in the Second Judicial Circuit and as an Assistant Attorney General with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, where he argued cases before South Carolina’s appellate and circuit courts. Bryan is committed to fairness, equal treatment under the law, and advocating for those who have been wronged in the workplace.

Harper Hutson, an associate attorney at Cromer Babb & Porter and is dedicated to South Carolina labor and employment law. Her practice centers on Title VII discrimination, harassment, breach of contract, wrongful termination, and more. With a background in business and political science, Harper has pursued her legal passion since age 17, gaining diverse experiences in the field. She earned her law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law and excelled in mock trial competitions. Harper now represents employees in state and federal court, as well as before key agencies.

Jill Lesley is an advocate for employee rights and workplace fairness. Before joining Cromer Babb Porter, she worked in federal criminal defense, successfully arguing cases before the South Carolina Court of Appeals and the Fourth Circuit. Drawing on her diverse legal background in representing individuals through complex legal challenges, Jill now focuses on representing employees in workplace disputes, bringing dedication and compassion to every case.

Jake Modla has been practicing law in North Carolina and South Carolina since 1990 and joined Cromer Babb & Porter, LLC in May 2023 as Senior Counsel. Jake primarily practices at the firm’s Rock Hill location in the heart of downtown. Jake has been practicing employment and labor law since 1990, first as an employer-side lawyer and corporate general counsel, and more recently as an attorney on behalf of working people across the Carolinas. Jake brings a ton of experience to bear and is also full-tilt aligned with CB&P’s mission to fight for those who have been wronged in the workplace and create equality for all working people, from store clerk to CEO.

Shannon Polvi is senior counsel at Cromer Babb & Porter, LLC and has been with the firm since March 2014. Shannon’s legal career has focused on advocating for employees in South Carolina. Shannon’s practice focuses on the employee/ plaintiff side of employment and labor law with various employment cases brought before federal, state, administrative, and appellate courts. Shannon represents individuals in discharge, wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, medical leave, whistleblower, and denial of benefits litigation (ERISA).

James Paul Porter (Paul) is a partner attorney at Cromer Babb & Porter, LLC. Paul is certified by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Specialist in Employment and Labor Law. The specialty designation was obtained after Paul was approved to sit for and passed a rigorous exam covering the comprehensive body of Employment and Labor law as it effects South Carolina’s workers. Paul practices in the areas of employment law, business litigation, sexual harassment and assault, governmental law, and general litigation.

Chance Sturup is an associate attorney with Cromer Babb & Porter, LLC and has been with the firm since 2019.  Practicing law at CB&P gives Chance an opportunity to do three of his favorite things every day: compete, win, and help others. Chance’s practice focuses on representing workers and employees across the State in issues related to their employment. Chance regularly handles cases including civil rights, wrongful termination, discrimination retaliation, breach of contract, failure to pay proper wages, whistleblowing, family and medical leave, and various other matters.