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.
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 formerly sat on the House Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Operations & Management Committee. He currently sits as the Second Vice Chair for The Operations and Management Committee and sits on The Judiciary 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)
Practice Areas: Car Accidents, Tractor Trailer Accidents, Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents, Drunk Driving Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Wrongful Death/Survivorship, Premises Liability, Products Liability, Electrocution, Slip and Fall, Insurance Claims, Insurance Bad Faith, Misplacement of Insurance Coverage, Workers Compensation/On-the-Job Injuries, Nightclub Shootings/Bar Shootings, Sexual Assault/Rape, Civil Rights Litigation, Unconstitutional Use of Force, Prescription Drug Mistakes, Nursing Home Neglect, Class Action Litigation.
Education: University of South Carolina School of Law; Law Clerk, 5th Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office; Research Assistant, Prof. Kenneth Gaines, Dept. of Clinical Studies; Judicial Intern, The Honorable Clifton Newman, Fifth Judicial Circuit; USC Law Student Ambassador; USC Mock Trial Bar; Thurgood Marshall Mock Trial Co-director; B.A., University of South Carolina; Bamberg County Public Schools K-12; Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School.
Distinctions: Million Dollar Advocates Forum (Lifetime Member); Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum (Lifetime Member); National Academy of Trial Attorneys SC Top 10 Under 40; National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40; National Trial Lawyers Top 100; National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40; National Trial Lawyers Mass Tort Trial Lawyers Association Top 25.
Professional Memberships: South Carolina Association of Justice South Carolina Bar; Healing Species, Inc. Board of Directors, Fmr. Chairman of the Board; Bamberg County Democratic Party
Fraternities/Sororities: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
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 has 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 furthered 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 Basic Jail training in 2011 at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. Most recently, LaTrell served as a paralegal at 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 she 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.
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 Community. 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. She is also the proud grandmother of one.
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 Associates Degree in Business and Accounting with honors. Darlene is a recent graduate from Claflin University with a B.A. 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.
Paulette McDonald, Assistant

Paulette H. McDonald joined Bamberg Legal after retiring from the Bamberg County Sheriff’s Office where she served her community for 28 faithful years. She began her law enforcement career with the City of Bamberg Police Department as a Dispatcher from 1976 until 1992, when she became the Sheriff’s Office’s first Victim’s Advocate. In 1995, Paulette accepted the position of Deputy Sheriff, where she remained until her retirement in 2017. She brings extensive knowledge in the law enforcement field as well as a compassionate understanding to victims of injustice. Paulette is the widow of the late James McDonald and has three sons and two daughters.
Anthony Hallmon, Deputy 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.
Adam C. Ness, Esq., Attorney

A native of Bamberg, South Carolina, Adam graduated Valedictorian from Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School in 2003. In 2007, he graduated from Furman University with a B.S. in Information Technology and in 2009, Mr. Ness enrolled in the Charleston School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctor.
In 2012, Mr. Ness began clerking for the Honorable D. A. Early, III of South Carolina’s Second Judicial Circuit in Bamberg, Barnwell and Aiken Counties where he gained invaluable courtroom experience. In 2016, Mr. Ness was elected to serve as one of two Delegates for the 2nd Circuit on the South Carolina Bar’s House of Delegates, and he currently serves in that capacity. Also in 2016, Mr. Ness was appointed to serve as the 2nd Circuit representative on the South Carolina Bar’s Pro Bono Board. Prior to his joining Bamberg Legal, LLC, Mr. Ness practiced law at Ness & Jett, LLC from 2013-2021.

In 2018, Mr. Ness was selected and participated in the American Board of Trial Advocate’s (ABOTA) National Trial College held at Yale Law School. He is now recognized as a Trial College Fellow with the American Board of Trial Advocates.

He is engaged in general practice with an emphasis on civil litigation. Adam has successfully obtained more than $50,000,000 in judgments for his clients, thanks to his background in computers and technology, which gives Adam a unique perspective and methodology in his practice.
Mr. Ness and his family reside in Bamberg. Mr. Ness’s background also includes work in law enforcement, database administration, information technology, land surveying, drone operation, and more. In his free time he enjoys gardening, antique cars, hunting, and fishing.
Amanda Dempsey