Ranny Stephens 

 Born and raised in Manning, SC, Ranny Stephens comes from deep southern roots. Brought up helping his father, the Coroner of Clarendon County for 20 years, and working within the family-run funeral business, he found a passion for public service early. 

Ranny graduated from Manning High School and then attended Newberry College on a football scholarship. He wasn’t there long before transferring to the University of South Carolina to dedicate his full attention to academics pursuing a major in Philosophy while minoring in Criminal Justice. 

Although accepted to law school immediately, Ranny elected to take some time to support the family business and also worked in construction. During this time, he married his high school sweetheart, and the new family found their way to Georgetown, SC. 

When his first daughter was born, Ranny decided to return to his legal calling by enrolling in the Charleston School of Law, where he received the CALI Award for Legal Research and Writing and Pro Bono Award along with serving on the Editorial Board for the Journal of Alternative Dispute Resolution. 

Ranny went on to work for the late John Hilliard in private practice before accepting a clerkship with the Honorable Benjamin H. Culbertson. He then served as a prosecutor for the 15th Circuit Solicitor exposing him to every manner of crime from shoplifting to homicide. 

Ranny left his role as an Assistant Solicitor to join The Law Office of Erin E. Bailey where he put his trial experience to work practicing mainly in criminal defense. 

In 2023, Ranny partnered with Robert H. O’Donnell to form O’Donnell and Stephens Law Firm, a comprehensive law firm that focuses on helping the people of Georgetown in many areas of law. 

Ranked among the Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyers in South Carolina by the National Trial Lawyers, Ranny leads with de-escalation first and prides himself on finding resolutions to complex matters using solid relationships established across the justice system and establishing steady ground between his clients and those deciding their fates. 

Results driven, Ranny is committed to the best outcome for his clients. Though focused on calming waters and steadying the ship first, he won’t hesitate to rock the boat if pushed to fiercely advocating for his client’s brighter futures. 

When it comes to his clients, Ranny genuinely and deeply cares what happens to them. For him, practicing law is a calling that will continue a longstanding family legacy of purpose and public service.