Overview
Jennifer Hollingsworth is a litigator in the Health Care Practice Group. Jennifer has represented individuals and businesses in numerous courts and forums, including South Carolina’s appellate courts, circuit court, probate court, family court, administrative law court, magistrate’s court, and federal district court, as well as agency appeal forums. In addition to her litigation work, Jennifer devotes a substantial amount of her time to regulatory advice, government investigations and compliance work, including Title IX matters and representing individuals and businesses subject to various government inquiries. As a trained social worker, Jennifer’s passion for advocacy is matched with her commitment to superior service and professionalism.
A selection of Jennifer’s practice experience includes:
- Administrative dispute work including contested case appeals of state agency decisions
- Certificate of need advice and litigation for hospitals and physician groups
- Health care reimbursement issues such as payment and penalty determination disputes, as well as challenges to adverse adjudications
- Representation of hospitals and long term care facilities in physician and patient disputes, including defense of medical malpractice and wrongful death/survival actions
- Representation in response to Freedom of Information Act requests
- Responses to government investigations as well as defense of FCA/qui tam actions
- Title IX advice and investigations for institutions of higher education
- Probate and trust disputes including litigating will contests
- Complex domestic disputes involving separation and divorce, child custody, financial support, division of assets, and matters of contempt
- Lawsuits involving breach of trust/fiduciary duties and claims of professional negligence
- Litigating defamation and privacy torts
Jennifer received her law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law, cum laude. She also received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from USC and was the first person to complete the JD/MSW joint degree program as a full-time student. During law school, Jennifer served on the Editorial Board for the ABA’s Real Property Probate and Trust Journal.
Jennifer also takes her responsibility to give back to her community seriously and devotes her time to a number of causes and numerous pro bono matters. Her pro bono experiences include serving as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem investigating child abuse and neglect allegations and providing pro bono counsel to veterans of our Armed Forces. Jennifer served two terms on the Richland County CASA Foundation’s Board of Directors, including serving as Board Chair. She also regularly volunteers with the firm’s Women’s Leadership Initiative’s Next Steps Program, speaking to area middle school girls about the dangers of social media and its impact on their education, employment, and safety. In service to the South Carolina Bar, Jennifer serves on the Judicial Qualifications Committee, the Children’s Law Committee, and the Wellness Initiative. Jennifer is a 2015 graduate of the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leadership Initiative.
Community & Professional
- Trained Guardian ad Litem actively investigating and reporting on the best interests of the child in abuse and neglect proceedings
- Former Chairman of the Richland County CASA Foundation Board of Directors
- Participant in the Women Leadership Initiative’s Next Steps Program, speaking to middle school girls on topics related to their development as future women leaders
- Volunteer through the South Carolina Bar Association with events including the Middle School Mock Trial Competitions, Special Olympics, and Wills for Heroes
- South Carolina Bar service on the Judicial Qualifications Committee, the Children's Law Committee, and the Wellness Initiative
- Riley Fellow, Midlands Spring 2015 Diversity Leadership Initiative
- International Association of Defense Counsel’s Trial Academy, Sacramento, August 2011
A selection of Jennifer’s speaking and writing activities include:
- Panelist, “Effect of the Revisions to the Automatic Stay Provisions of the APA,” South Carolina Administrative and Regulatory Law Association (SCAARLA), February 2019.
- Speaker, "Lessons Learned and Opportunities for Improvement, " Medicaid DSH Education Session, South Carolina Hospital Association, December 2018.
- Presenter, "Liability Issues Facing Athletic Trainers," June 2015.
- Co-Presenter, "Cyber Danger", Volunteers for Youth Conference, March 2013.
- Contributing Editor to the "Tort Law Desk Reference: A Fifty State Compendium" (South Carolina portion), 2006-2009 editions.
- Co-Presenter, "Documentation and Litigation in Community Residential Care Facilities", May 2009.
- Presenter, "Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Family Court", March 2006.
Outside Maynard Nexsen
Jennifer and her husband Jon stay busy with their young twins, Sarah and Harrison, and dogs, Penny and Bella.
Recognitions
- Chambers USA, Leading Practitioner in Health Care Law (2023-Present)
- Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation and Health Care Law (2025)
- South Carolina Legal Elite, Health Care (2021, 2024)
- South Carolina Super Lawyers "Rising Star" in Business/Corporate Litigation (2013)
Media
News
Insights
Videos/Podcasts
The Administrative Law Court is unique in many ways from other venues in which litigation occurs in South Carolina. Health care litigator Jennifer Hollingsworth explains the benefits to appearing before the ALC.
Podcasts
Admissions
- State Bar: South Carolina
- U.S. District Court: South Carolina
- U.S. Court of Appeals: Fourth Circuit