March 4, 2025
As published by Savannah CEO
HunterMaclean, a business law firm with offices in Savannah and St. Simons Island, is pleased to announce that Justin Guthrie and Brian Sopp were recently elected as partners by the voting shareholders of the firm.
“Justin and Brian are well-respected colleagues who are dedicated to both their clients and community,” said Managing Partner Shawn Kachmar. “We are excited to share that they have been elected as partners and look forward to seeing their continued success.”
Brian is a partner in the firm’s Employment Law Group where he focuses on advising clients regarding employment, benefits, and contract negotiations and disputes. His defense litigation background includes representing medical providers and institutions related to medical malpractice, employment, and licensing matters in state and federal court and before state agencies. Brian graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Political Science. He earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2010. While in law school, Brian was a member of the South Carolina Law Review and participated in the J. Woodrow Lewis Moot Court Competition. Brian is licensed to practice in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. He serves on the board of directors for EmployAbility, is a graduate of the Leadership Carolina Class of 2014, and an active member of the Defense Research Institute. Brian is in the current Leadership Savannah class.
Justin is a partner in the firm’s Admiralty and Maritime Group. He has experience litigating marine insurance coverage and defense matters across the United States, representing both insurers and insureds. He advises individuals and businesses in connection with maritime personal injury and property damage, vessel finance, logistics, commercial fishing and aquaculture related disputes. Justin also assists clients in the navigation of certain regulatory concerns involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Vessel Documentation Center, the Federal Maritime Commission, and Customs and Border Protection. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in Foreign Affairs & International Relations and received his J.D. and Certificate of Specialization in Maritime Law from Tulane University. During law school, he was a notes and comments editor on the Tulane Maritime Law Journal, and he clerked for both the U.S. Department of Justice – Aviation & Admiralty litigation division and the Federal Maritime Commission in Washington, D.C. He is an active member of several professional organizations including the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section and the Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee for the American Bar Association. Justin serves on the board of the UVA Club of Savannah and is a member of the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, the Defense Research Institute, the Maritime Law Association, and the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute. In addition, he serves as an alumni mentor for the Tulane Maritime Law Journal.
