LAFOND LAW GROUP - Key Persons
Ashley began as an intern with the firm in 2006, and became an associate attorney after being admitted to the South Carolina Bar in November of 2007. She acted as the principal attorney when Catherine took her sabbatical to Miami and currently focuses her practice on probate and estate matters, guardianship and conservatorship cases, and real estate closings and litigation. She is also a Department of Veterans Affairs Accredited Attorney and admitted to practice in the Court of Appeals for VA Claims.
Ashley Richardson is a Charleston native and has been with the firm since 2001. She began her real estate paralegal tenure shortly after earning an Associate's Degree from Trident Technical College. She oversees the daily operations of the real estate department for the firm. Ashley regularly participates in Adopt a Highway, SIHH Women Build, and is a founding member of The Point Is, a local non-profit women's fundraising group, of which she is a former Vice President and Board Member.
Ashley Richardson, a Charleston native, started with the firm in 2001 after receiving an Associate's degree from Trident Technical College. She processes the title work and collaborates daily with realtors and lenders to ensure smooth closings for the firm's real estate clients. Along with volunteering with the firm for Sea Island Habitat Women Build and Adopt a Highway, she is a founding member of The Point Is, a local non-profit women's fundraising group.
Growing up in Charleston, Ashley especially enjoys fishing and exploring the Lowcountry waterways. In her free time, she and husband, Bryan, love to spend time outdoors with their daughter, Marya, and share in her love of sports activities.
Catherine LaFond earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1997 from the University of South Carolina School of Law after studying political science at the College of Charleston. She opened her own law firm in 1998 and immediately started handling real estate transactions and creating estate plans.
Thereafter, in 2009, she moved to South Beach for a year to obtain an LL.M. (a Masters of Laws degree in estate planning) from the University of Miami School of Law. It was there that she decided to become proficient in the area of elder law.
Catherine has been given an AV© Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell (the highest possible rating in both legal ability and ethical standards), a firm that has rated attorneys for more than a century based on peer and client reviews. She has also been rated "Superb" by Avvo which rates attorneys based on peer and client endorsements, experience, professional conduct and industry recognition.
She has been the volunteer attorney for Sea Island Habitat for Humanity homeowners since 1999 and for Pet Helper's since 2002. Also, Catherine is a member of the ElderCounsel, LLC, Lowcountry Senior Network, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, SC Elder Law Bar Committee, SC Women Lawyers Association, is an accredited attorney with the VA and barred with the US Court of Appeals for Veterans' Claims.
She currently serves or has served on the following boards: AFFA (Vice President), Bridges for End-of-Life, Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, Charleston County Disabilities Board (Secretary) and Lowcountry Senior Network (Secretary).
Our purpose is to highlight the uniqueness and diversity of our community through distinct events throughout the year promoting our history and culture, including the annual Charleston Pride Parade and Festival
Job Titles:
- Director of First Impressions
Chelsea moved to Charleston in 2015 and joined our firm in 2018 as the Director of First Impressions where she works closely with the attorneys, real estate paralegals, and lenders to create an exemplary experience for our clients.
Chelsea grew up near Memphis, TN where she attended the University of Memphis before moving to Washington, DC. While in the District, Chelsea began her career in Real Estate; first as a marketing assistant and then as a REALTOR® for a top producing real estate team. She enjoys participating in volunteer opportunities with the firm, such as Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Women Build, PetHelpers, and Adopt-A-Highway. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys visiting local Charleston breweries and spending time outside with her dogs, Daisy and Bear and her husband, Stan.
Job Titles:
- Director of First Impressions
Chelsea Dunavant moved to Charleston in 2015 and joined our firm in 2018 as the Director of First Impressions where she works closely with the attorneys, real estate paralegals, and lenders to create an exemplary experience for our clients.
Chelsea grew up near Memphis, TN where she attended the University of Memphis before moving to Washington, DC. While in the District, Chelsea began her career in Real Estate; first as a marketing assistant and then as a REALTOR® for a top producing real estate team. She enjoys participating in volunteer opportunities with the firm, such as Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Women Build, Pet Helpers, and Adopt-A-Highway. In her free time, Chelsea enjoys visiting local Charleston breweries and spending time outside with her dogs, Daisy and Bear and her husband, Stan.
Job Titles:
- Office Supervisor & Chief of Happiness
Fitzie, born September 3, 2016, joined the LaFond family on November 23, 2016, the 53rd anniversary of President Kennedy's assassination. She is a sweet but persnickety furry baby, only gracing those who please her with her enthusiastic wags and, when that happens, there's no mistaking it … you've been Fitzied!
After her mommy's bad car accident in 2017, Fitzie appreciates the value of a thorough estate plan, with pet trust included. While she would've missed her mommy if the bus had smushed her, she most certainly would've missed her fancy food and constant stream of treats!
Katie D. Cotton is a paralegal with the firm specializing in Estate Planning and Probate. Originally from Northern Virginia, Katie moved to Charleston in 2012 to join our firm. She has a BS in Public Administration from George Mason University and completed coursework for the Paralegal Certificate accredited by the American Bar Association.
She is an Alpha Xi Delta alumna and enjoys attending events with the firm that focus on Special Needs planning. Katie enjoys the personal aspect of Estate Planning, getting to know clients and their families. Katie approaches probate cases with compassion, knowing first-hand how difficult navigating through grief can be.
Katie enjoys spending time with her dog, Hayley Fluff, traveling, and excelling at team trivia.