Adriane Malanos Belton Associate

Phone: (843) 720-4620  |  Fax: (843) 723-7398  |  Email: abelton@buistmoore.com

Practice Areas
Admiralty and Maritime
Appellate Practice
Civil Litigation
Employment
Immigration
Insurance

Adriane Malanos Belton is a member of the firm’s litigation practice group. She has participated in the trial of cases in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston County Family Court and Small Claims Court. She has argued motions in both state and federal courts, she regularly attends depositions and she has participated in several mediations. Ms. Belton advises employers regarding issues relating to immigration compliance and discrimination, harassment, payment of wages, employment agreements and documentation. A sampling of her admiralty work includes the representation of vessel owners and charterers in defense of Jones Act claims, cargo claims, and claims of unseaworthiness and negligence.

Representative Matters:

•	Defended a vessel carrier in defense of a cargo damage case brought by the cargo interest;
•	Defended employer against payment of wages claim;
•	Defended a freight forwarder against claims for cargo damage;
•	Defended employer against sexual harassment claims;
•	Defended employer against wrongful termination and defamation claim;
•	Assisted an immigrant with application and interview for permanent residency; and
•	Assisted an employer with immigration compliance issues -both State and Federal

Educational Background:

•	Boston University School of Law, 2003 - J.D. cum laude
	Edward F. Hennessey Scholar Paul J. Liacos Scholar G. Joseph Tauro Scholar
•	Wake Forest University, 1999 - B.A. cum laude
	Psi Chi National Honor Society

Professional Background:

•	Associate, Buist Moore Smythe McGee P.A., 2003-present
•	Summer Law Clerk, Solicitor's Office, 9th Judicial Circuit, 2002
•	Student Defender, Boston Municipal Court, 2002
•	Shelter Legal Services, Boston, MA, 2001-2003

Professional Organizations:

•	American Bar Association
•	AILA: American Immigration Lawyers Association
•	The Charleston Lawyers Club •President, 2010 •Vice President, 2009 •Treasurer, 2008 •Secretary, 2007
•	Charleston County Bar Association
•	Maritime Association of South Carolina
•	Maritime Law Association of the United States
•	Propeller Club of the United States
•	South Carolina Bar Association
•	South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division •Membership/Publicity Committee, 2005-2006 •Courthouse Keys Committee, 2008-2009 & 2009-2010
•	Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute •Port Director, 2007 & 2008
•	South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association

Bar Admissions:

•	South Carolina, 2003
•	United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2006
•	United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, 2003
•	United States Supreme Court, 2009

Community Organizations:

•	Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity
•	Wake Forest University Young Alumni Club, Past-President
•	Wake Forest University Alumni in Admissions