Erin Schmidt
Senior Paralegal - Real Estate & Entitlements

Joshua Howard
President & Chief Legal Officer
Josh is a seasoned attorney with over two decades of experience providing strategic counsel to businesses and developers across the southeast region. Josh oversees the Contender family of brands, encompassing a diverse portfolio of commercial and residential real estate ventures, as well as development initiatives.
Under his leadership, he has assembled a high-performing team of professionals in management, legal, finance, and real estate. Josh holds a Bachelor's degree from Clemson University and earned his Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Prior to his current role, he served as a Partner at Womble Bond Dickinson, LLP and Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, PA. He also held a law clerk position with the Honorable Henry M. Herlong Jr. of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Josh has consistently demonstrated a commitment to community leadership, maintaining an active presence in both the southeast legal community and the South Carolina business sector.

Erin Schmidt is a Senior Paralegal – Real Estate & Entitlements at Contender, where she provides advanced legal support in commercial real estate, contract negotiations, real estate due diligence, corporate law, and legal document preparation. In her current capacity, Erin plays a pivotal role in managing complex property transactions and ensuring legal compliance across diverse real estate matters. She previously served as Director of Legal for RealtyLink, overseeing strategic legal initiatives for major real estate projects. Erin is a graduate of Augusta University, where she established the strong academic foundation that underpins her expertise in the legal and real estate sectors.








