About Us - Bamberg Legal

Family redefined

The legal process is strenuous and for most, an uncharted new experience. We recognize that and are here to help. Becoming a client means you gain more than just a legal representative in Bamberg Legal. We welcome you into our extended family, and we will work for the right to be considered a part of yours.

Justin T. Bamberg, Esq., Principal Attorney
Affectionately known as “Bamberg from Bamberg,” Justin Bamberg is a native of Bamberg, South Carolina. Growing up in “Family Circle” with his parents and younger brother, he lived next door to his great-grandmother until he left for college. Surrounded by immediate and extended family, he learned quickly that hard work, discipline, integrity and doing things right the first time are mandatory qualities – not optional ones. Bamberg founded Bamberg Legal, LLC in 2016, with the goal of continuing to provide his clients with the dedication, discipline and determination required to get results.

After graduating from The University of South Carolina and finishing its three-year law school program in just two and a half years, Bamberg began his legal career with one of the premier insurance civil defense litigation firms in the State of South Carolina, where he litigated simple and complex cases on behalf of his clients in state and federal court.

In 2014, he left the insurance defense industry to represent injured and the families of wrongfully killed persons, where he advocated for clients throughout the State of South Carolina and the United States. He has since been invited to join the ranks of some of the nation’s most respected ranks:

The National Trial Lawyers Top 100

The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40

The National Trial Lawyers Mass Tort Trial Association Top 25

The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40

In 2014, Bamberg was first elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he presently serves the citizens of House District 90 in Bamberg, Barnwell & Colleton Counties. He currently sits on the House Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Operations & Management Committee.

In 2015, Bamberg was appointed by South Carolina Speaker of the House Jay Lucas to serve on the Human Services & Public Safety Committee of the 15-state Southern Legislative Conference (SLC). Founded in 1947 and located in Atlanta, the SLC is a member-driven organization and the largest of the four legislative groups operating under The Council of State Governments.

Bar Admissions: South Carolina; U.S. District Court, District of South Carolina (Pro Hac Vice Admission in other states on a case-by-case basis)
Darlene Smith, Office Manager

Darlene is a native of Norway, SC. After attending Hunter-Kinard-Tyler high, she furthered her education at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College and graduated with an associate’s degree in business and accounting with honors. Darlene is also a graduate from Claflin University with a degree in Organizational Management.

Darlene was previously an EMT-Intermediate and volunteer firefighter. During her tenure at OC-Tech she worked as a tutor and assistant. She also served as the treasurer of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. As a member of PTK, she and other society members initiated a campus -wide Food Bank for OC-Tech students. She enjoys helping others and has always had a heart for people. Darlene is very family oriented. She is a loving wife to her husband, Jacob and a mother of five beautiful children.

In her spare time, Darlene enjoys baking, fishing, and cruising. She is a volunteer with her daughters Girl Scout troop and an active member of Life Tabernacle Church in Barnwell, SC.
Ronda Bamberg, Case Manager

Ronda joined the Bamberg Legal family as Case Manager in July 2017, shortly after retiring from a 32-year career serving both her Country and her. She began her career in 1986 as a member of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps, where she received two Good Conduct Medals, an Army Accommodation Medal, an Overseas Ribbon, and a Humanitarian Ribbon.

After 8-years of military service, she began her civilian law enforcement career. Ronda served in various capacities, including as a Patrol Office early on and later achieving the rank of Commander of Investigation with the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office. She has vast knowledge in Narcotics, having served on a multi-jurisdictional semi-covert narcotics and violent crimes task force. As a criminal investigator, she investigated and/or supervised over 300 homicides. She was also a Nationally certified hostage negotiator and a member of the S.W.A.T. team.

She believes her greatest accomplishments are her two sons, her youngest serving the public in his position with the S.C. Department of Public Safety and her eldest, attorney Justin Bamberg. Ronda has been married to her loving husband, who has also served over 30 years in military and civilian law enforcement, for over 30 years. She is also the proud grandmother of one.
Eugenia Stanfield, Associate Attorney

Attorney Eugenia “Geni” Stanfield is an Associate Attorney with Bamberg Legal, where she brings disciplined advocacy, compassion, and a deep respect for the people she serves. She was born and raised in New York, spent her high school years in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, and later came to South Carolina for her undergraduate and legal education, where she built her legal career.

Attorney Stanfield credits her upbringing for instilling in her a strong sense of humility, empathy, and respect for others—values that guide both her personal life and professional practice. She approaches her work with the understanding that effective advocacy requires seeing clients as people first, not just cases, and ensuring that every individual feels heard, respected, and treated with dignity.

Prior to joining Bamberg Legal, Attorney Stanfield served as an Assistant Public Defender in Orangeburg, South Carolina, where she represented clients in high-stakes criminal proceedings. That experience sharpened her trial skills, strengthened her judgment under pressure, and reinforced her commitment to thorough preparation and principled advocacy.

Attorney Stanfield earned her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law and her Bachelor of Science in Political Science from South Carolina State University, graduating with honors. She is admitted to practice in the State of South Carolina and is an active member of the Young Democrats of South Carolina. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she remains engaged in service and leadership initiatives.

Outside of the courtroom, Attorney Stanfield is a devoted mother and a creatively driven individual. She is a professionally trained dancer and a writer of music, and she enjoys staying active through dance, tennis, and basketball. She is also a lifelong New York Giants fan. She draws inspiration from Frederick Douglass’s “No Progress Without Struggle,” a philosophy that shapes her work ethic, her willingness to do hard work, and her commitment to speaking truth to power in service of others.

Attorney Stanfield’s practice is grounded in integrity, preparation, and compassion—values that align closely with the mission of Bamberg Legal and the communities it serves.
Melissa J. Matthews, Paralegal

Melissa joined Bamberg Legal as a Paralegal shortly after its inception in 2016. A Native of Bamberg, SC, Melissa attended Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College where she graduated with an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies. She began her Paralegal career in Charleston, SC where she worked as part of a large real estate firm before returning to her home town in order to gain experience in other areas of law including family law, criminal defense, and personal injury. Since joining the firm, Melissa has been instrumental in assisting the firm secure some of its largest recoveries for personal injury clients.
LaTrell Mendoza, Paralegal

LaTrell is a native of Bamberg, South Carolina and was raised in Orangeburg. Since she was a teenager, she was been very involved in the local Hispanic community as a Spanish interpreter. She often interprets for the South Carolina Department of Social Services, law enforcement agencies, courts, schools, hospitals, and other entities. After attending Edisto High School, she further her education at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College where she received her Paralegal degree and Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.

She took Basic Law Enforcement training in 2009 and the Basic Jail training in 2011 at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Most recently, LaTrell served as a paralegal at the SCDSS in the Neglect and Abuse Unit. She has experience in the insurance industry having been a licensed insurance agent for 12 years in addition to being a licensed insurance adjuster. LaTrell is the Vice President and Policy Council Representative of the Parent Committee at OCAB-Neeses and also serves as the Secretary of the Policy Council at OCAB and Personnel Representative of OCAB in Orangeburg, Bamberg, and Calhoun Counties. She attends Cornerstone Community Church and enjoys traveling, going to the gun range, photography, and spending time with her family.
Amanda Dempsey, Paralegal
Sierra Ryant, Legal Assistant

Sierra is a native of Norway, SC. After graduating from Hunter-Kinard Tyler High School in 2017, she attended Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. She graduated with honors, earning her Associate’s degree in Business and Small Business Management.

While attending Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Sierra worked as a tutor and Librarian Assistant. She also served on the Leadership Team for Phi Theta Kappa’s Honor Society. While serving on the Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Team, she and the other members researched and started a program that encouraged their fellow college students to take part in voting. Sierra also served as an intern under the Business Program Coordinator, where she helped create study guides and course materials for an upcoming program offered to a range of middle school students.

In her spare time, Sierra loves volunteering and helping those in need. She also enjoys cooking, baking, fishing, and traveling. Sierra loves all things Disney and can often be found listening to one of the classic Disney soundtracks or musicals.
Shannon Gilliard, Legal Assistant

Shannon Gilliard is a native of Bamberg, SC, but has spent most of her time in Denmark, SC. She graduated with honors with her high school diploma from Denmark-Olar High School. She furthered her education by earning her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Healthcare Management. She joined Bamberg Legal, LLC in July of 2024 as an assistant. She was previously employed at MUSC in Orangeburg where she served as a Patient Counselor in the emergency department.
Shannon enjoys meeting new people and getting to know them. She’s truly the friendliest person you will ever meet and she loves to smile. Shannon is a mother of four beautiful children, two boys and two girls. In her spare time, she enjoys supporting her children and attends all their sports activities. She also enjoys taking trips with her family, cooking, and decorating.
Anthony Hallmon, Director of Community Outreach

Anthony is a native of Orangeburg, S.C. He is a 2008 graduate of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. He earned his Associates Degree in Mortuary Science from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Services. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Claflin University. For the last three years Anthony has served the citizens of Orangeburg County as an Estate Clerk for the Orangeburg County Probate Court. He also has over 10 years of experience in Funeral Service where he is currently working for Glovers Funeral Home serving the citizens of Orangeburg, S.C. during their most difficult times of losing a loved one.

As Deputy Director of Community Outreach, Anthony extends the firm’s grassroot support of community-oriented initiatives, including monitoring of community events on behalf of the firm in support of those hosting them and working on strategic youth development strategies.

Anthony is an active member of Good Shepherd Community Ministries where he serves as the Director of Ushers. He is also an active member of the Delta Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha where he serves as the Recording Secretary. Anthony is also an active member of the Olive Masonic Lodge #477, and he is an Advisory Board member for the Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five Technology Center Business Department. He serves as an Advisory Board member for the 1890 Grant entitled “Financial Literate Entrepreneurship for Rural Youth and Families” at South Carolina State University. Lastly, Anthony is very active with the Orangeburg County Democratic Party where is serves as the Chair Person for the Yung Democrats.
Johnnie Felder, Community Outreach Liaison

Jonnie Felder was born in Santee, SC to Mary Felder Cantey and the late Frazier Gilmore Jr. He is the oldest of four children. He is a high school graduate of Elloree High School and Claflin University with a degree in Criminal Justice/ Sociology. He has served over 30 years in the military. He has over 12 years of experience in law enforcement. He was served as a School Resource Officer and Community Outreach Coordinator. He has a passion for helping others and giving back to those in need. His mother and grandparents exemplify the values and principles of helping others and giving to those who need help.

He reminds himself what his grandfather told him “you can do anything in life if you try, the only person that can fail you is yourself”
Jimmy Sutton, Community Outreach Liaison

Jimmy Sutton is the community outreach liaison with Bamberg Legal, LLC. His main areas of focus are Bamberg, Colleton, and Dorchester counties. Jimmys job consist of interacting with individuals and groups to tackle issues and solve problems to better serve the needs of our communities.

In his spare time he serves as a high school baseball coach and radio play by play broadcaster for football at Bamberg Ehrhardt High School.

He is married to Angie and they have five children, Lindsay, Mari, Gracie, Dalton, and Trot. His greatest joy is spending time with his grandchildren, Ellis, Sutton, and Freddie. They reside in Smoaks SC.
Brittani Polite, Receptionist

Brittani S. Polite was born and raised in Orangeburg, SC and is a graduate of Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. She is a dedicated professional with experience in customer service and administrative support, having previously worked as a teller at Wells Fargo where she developed strong skills in accuracy, communication, and client service. She balances her professional career with life as a proud mother of two and enjoy traveling and spending qualitytime with family and friends.
James McMillan, Barber