Zoe Sanders is a partner of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP who practices in Columbia.

Ms. Sanders began her law career in 1992 as a prosecutor. Ms. Sanders joined Nelson Mullins in 1993. She practices in the areas of ERISA, administrative law, products liability and election law.

In 2010, Ms. Sanders expanded her South Carolina ERISA practice to include managing ERISA litigation in the Fourth Circuit for one specific insurer.  With the assistance of Nelson Mullins local counsel within each of the states within the Fourth Circuit, Ms. Sanders has defended many ERISA cases in the Fourth Circuit.

In 2007, Ms. Sanders represented Stephen Colbert in his candidacy for president in the South Carolina primary.

South Carolina Supreme Court or Court of Appeals decisions in which Ms. Sanders has had substantial involvement include:

• Collins Entertainment Corp. v. Coats and Coats Rental Amusement, 368 S.C. 410, S.E.2d 635, (2006). At issue in this case was the “lost seller doctrine” and  calculation of damages.
  
  
• South Carolina Dept. Of Revenue v. Rosemary Coin Machines, Inc., 339 S.C. 25, 528 S.E.2d 416, (2000).  At issue was the retroactive application of a statute.

• Johnson v. Collins Entertainment Co., Inc., 349 S.C. 613 S.E.2d 653, (2002). This case involved claims against the video gaming industry for alleged violations of RICO and state law. See also companion case Johnson v. Collins Entertainment Co., Inc., 333 S.C. 96, 508 S.E.2d 575, (1998).
  
  
• Justice v. The Pantry, 335 S.C. 572, 518 S.E.2d 40, (1999). This case involved a lawsuit to recover debt incurred from gambling. See also companion case Justice v. The Pantry et. al. 330 S.C. 33, 496 S.E.2d 871 (Ct. App.1998).

Ms. Sanders has been lead trial counsel in over twenty evidentiary contested case hearings before the Administrative Law Court. As a prosecutor in 1992-93, Ms. Sanders acted as lead counsel in fifteen jury trials.

News articles in which Ms. Sanders has been quoted or been the subject of include:

• "S.C. Activist to Lead Women Lawyers Group," The State (August 8, 2003)
  
  
• "Whether to Kill Those Who Killed as Youths," The New York Times (August 22, 2000)
  
  
• "Sing-along Strikes a Sour Note," The Washington Post (July 22, 1999)
  
  
• "'Dixie' Hits Sour Note at Chief Justice's Sing-Along," The Atlanta Constitution (July 1999)
  
  
• "A Heroine for Our Times," The Sun News (July 22, 1999)

Ms. Sanders is a former law clerk of U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Perry. From 2003-04, Ms. Sanders served as president of the National Association of Women Lawyers and currently serves on its board (2006-07). Ms. Sanders' successful litigation practice led to her selection as a permanent member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. Ms. Sanders is also a member of the American Bar Association, the S.C. Administrative and Regulatory Law Association (board of directors) and the S.C. Association of Women Lawyers. Ms. Sanders is also a member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI) and DRI's Life, Health, and Disability Committee.

In 2004, Ms. Sanders received the Young Women In Industry (TWIN) award from the YWCA. In 2003, the Columbia Business Journal named Ms. Sanders to 20 Under 40, a listing of outstanding young leaders in the South Carolina Midlands. Ms. Sanders received an award from the National Association of Women Lawyers in 1999 for her service as chairwoman of the Rainmaking Committee and the creation of the first National Directory of Women Lawyers.

A member of the South Carolina Bar, Ms. Sanders is admitted to practice before the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Ms. Sanders earned a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1992, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Virginia in 1989.