04/22/2026
A Brunswick County jury hit two hair salon owners with $191,000 in compensatory damages and $700,000 in punitive damages on Wednesday.
The verdict came after a trial that began April 14 in the lawsuit filed by Sherilyn Higgins, a partner in Oak & Ivy, LLC, a Calabash salon that more recently became Evolution Hair Design.
This is a great victory for Sherilyn, a wonderful client and someone who could not be more deserving of justice and vindication.
The jury found that Bruce and Rhonda Anders, who are married and controlled the company, had conspired to remove Sherilyn as an owner after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, which required treatment while she also was carrying her first child. The jury found the Anders diverted profits to themselves, withheld profits from Sherilyn, and defamed her to sever her client relationships.
Reiss & Nutt Associate Mackenzie Lintz led the trial with W. Cory Reiss assisting.
