Understanding legislative priorities is critical to anticipating risk, identifying opportunity, and planning strategically. The videos below feature insights from Wyche and industry leaders on the 2026 South Carolina General Assembly and what its agenda may mean for businesses across the state.
Dwight Cauthen provides strategic government relations counsel to clients navigating South Carolina’s legislative and regulatory landscape. Known for his deep institutional knowledge and longstanding relationships, Dwight advises clients on developing and executing customized legislative strategies designed to advance business and policy objectives.
Dwight’s practice is informed by decades of experience working within state government and alongside legislative leadership. His understanding of legislative rules, process, and emerging policy trends enables him to offer practical guidance and effective advocacy across a wide range of industries.
Before entering private practice, Dwight served in numerous public-sector roles, including House Research and Legislative Counsel, positions in two gubernatorial administrations, and as the first Executive Director of the South Carolina Senate Republican Caucus. He later began lobbying for the state’s largest law firm before establishing his own practice in 2003. Dwight earned his undergraduate degree in political science and a master’s degree in public relations from the University of South Carolina.
Jason Elliott serves as a South Carolina State Senator representing District 6, where he brings a background in law and public service to his work in the General Assembly. He is actively engaged in legislative issues affecting businesses, infrastructure, and communities across the Upstate and the state as a whole.
Prior to his election to the SC Senate in 2024, Jason served in the SC House of Representatives from 2016-2024. After graduating from law school, he served as an Assistant Solicitor for the Tenth Judicial Circuit. He later worked at the federal level as District Director for then-Congressman Jim DeMint, overseeing constituent services and regional outreach throughout the Fourth Congressional district.
In addition to his legislative service, Jason has practiced law in the Upstate for more than two decades and has held a number of civic leadership roles, including serving as president of the Rotary Club of Greenville and on several local boards. He earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson University and his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Will Frierson serves as Vice President of Government Affairs for South Carolina Manufacturers and Commerce (SCMC), where he is a member of the organization’s senior leadership team. In this role, Will oversees SCMC’s government affairs and public policy strategy, leading day-to-day lobbying efforts and advocating on behalf of South Carolina’s business community before the General Assembly and executive agencies.
Prior to joining SCMC, Will led government affairs and public policy for the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, where he advanced legislative priorities affecting employers across the state. Earlier in his career, he served as Government Relations Manager for the National Cotton Council of America in Washington, D.C., working on federal policy issues impacting the agricultural sector.
A native of Orangeburg, Will earned his bachelor’s degree in politics and international affairs from Wake Forest University.
Brooks Gaylord focuses her practice on complex commercial transactions and general corporate matters. As former general counsel for a national real estate development company, she served as lead counsel and trusted advisor to the business on a myriad of transactional matters for a variety of asset classes, including acquisitions and dispositions, construction and permanent financings, leasing, and ground-up development for industrial, self-storage, multifamily, and office projects.
Brooks combines her extensive experience and pragmatic, business-oriented approach to guide clients throughout the entire development process—from land acquisition to the disposition of stabilized assets. As a trusted thought partner to clients, Brooks is skilled at providing strategic insights to achieve results that maximize business objectives while minimizing risk.
Wade’s practice centers on advising educational institutions and employers of all types in navigating complex legal problems. His career handling litigation and appellate work informs the analysis he provides and facilitates his role as trusted outside general counsel.
A former teacher, Wade leads Wyche’s education law practice, providing guidance to secondary schools and institutions of higher education on policy and handbook reviews, student discipline and honor code matters, and regulatory compliance, including Title IX. Wade also leads Wyche’s internal investigations group, helping clients promptly and efficiently collect facts and find solutions to a range of issues.
Prior to joining Wyche, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Ed Carnes on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Active in the community, Wade frequently speaks on topics at the intersection of law and public policy and is a member of numerous boards and non-profit organizations, including the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU), of which he is board chair-elect.
