About Us

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).

Ashley Andrews grew up in Pendleton, SC before earning a bachelor’s degree in History from Clemson University in 2000, and a Juris Doctorate from the Charleston School of Law in 2007. In 2017, she returned to the Charleston School of Law as an adjunct professor teaching Wills, Trusts, and Estates.

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.

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.

Katie D. Cotton is a paralegal with the firm specializing in Estate Planning and Probate. 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. She is nearly fluent in Spanish but is not certified as an interpreter. A transplant from Virginia, Katie and her dog, Hayley Fluff, can be found walking the beach or strolling along King Street on weekends enjoying being in Charleston.

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.

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!