Attorney Resources

Coming out, living and working in a heterosexist and sometimes hostile environment can be difficult for many LGBT people. We often receive requests for attorneys who approach their work with LGBT clients without any judgment or bias; in short, professionals who are "safe."

AFFA provides this list as a service to our community. The information posted here was provided by the attorneys themselves at our request.

If you know of other legal professionals who should be included here, please forward their contact information to the AFFA office.

Attorneys, Listed By Specialization*:

(Please note that attorneys with multiple areas of specialization are listed under each specialization. Click the attorney's name to view contact information and bio.)

Bankruptcy:
Suzanne Lafleur Klok (Mount Pleasant)
Josh Roten (Mount Pleasant)
C. Thomas Tolly (West Ashley)

Business Law:
J Kirkland Grant (downtown Charleston)
C. Thomas Tolly (West Ashley)

Criminal Law:
David Aylor (downtown Charleston)
Edward Hawkins (West Ashley)
Anthony LaMantia (downtown Charleston)
John Mussetto (Greenville)
Nathan Senn
Heather Shaw (North Charleston)
Stephen Slotchiver (downtown Charleston)
Jack Swan (North Charleston)
C. Thomas Tolly (West Ashley)

Employment:
Terry Ann Rickson
M. Malissa Burnette (Columbia, SC)
Nekki Shutt (Columbia, SC)

Estate Planning (Wills and Trusts):
Cindy Floyd (West Ashley)
J Kirkland Grant (downtown Charleston)
Suzanne Lafleur Klok (Mount Pleasant)
Catherine LaFond (West Ashley)
Mary Murray (Daniel Island)
Cynthia O'Dell (James Island)
Nathan Senn
Heather Shaw (North Charleston)
Stephen Slotchiver (downtown Charleston)
C. Thomas Tolly (West Ashley)

Family Law/Domestic Relations:
David Aylor (downtown Charleston)
Anne Frances Bleecker (downtown Charleston)
M. Malissa Burnette (Columbia, SC)
Colleen Condon (West Ashley)
Samuel Cooper (North Charleston)
Cindy Floyd (West Ashley)
Suzanne Groff (James Island)
Mary Ann Hall (West Ashley)
Harriet Hancock (Columbia)
Edward Hawkins (West Ashley)
Rhett D. Klok (Mount Pleasant)
Anthony LaMantia (downtown Charleston)
Allison LaMantia (downtown Charleston)
Mary Murray (Daniel Island)
John Mussetto (Greenville)
Nathan Senn
Heather Shaw (North Charleston)
Elizabeth Stringer-Nettles (Folly Beach)
C. Thomas Tolly (West Ashley)

General Litigation:
Rhett D. Klok (Mount Pleasant)
John Mussetto (Greenville)
Anne Peterson-Hutto (Charleston)
Elizabeth Stringer-Nettles (Folly Beach)
Peter Wilborn (downtown Charleston)

General Practice:
J. Kirkland Grant (downtown Charleston)
John Mussetto (Greenville)
Sally Rentiers (West Ashley)
Leslie Stevens (Asheville, NC)

Injury and Wrongful Death:
Samuel Cooper (North Charleston)
Thomas Gressette (Mount Pleasant)
Rhett D. Klok (Mount Pleasant)
John Musetto (Simpsonville)
Anne Peterson-Hutto (Charleston)
Nathan Senn
Heather Shaw (North Charleston)
Jack Swan (North Charleston)
C. Thomas Tolly (West Ashley)
Peter Wilborn (downtown Charleston)

Labor:
Peter Wilborn (downtown Charleston)
Terry Ann Rickson (James Island)

Probate:
Cindy Floyd (West Ashley)
Mary Murray (Daniel Island)
Rhett D. Klok (Mount Pleasant)
Heather Shaw (North Charleston)
Stephen Slotchiver (downtown Charleston)
Elizabeth Sringer-Nettles (Folly Beach)
C. Thomas Tolly (West Ashley)

Real Estate – Purchase and Refinancing:
Catherine LaFond (West Ashley)
Mary Murray (Daniel Island)
Elizabeth Stringer-Nettles (Folly Beach)

Real Estate – Foreclosure Defense
Suzanne Lafleur Klok (Mount Pleasant)
Josh Roten (Mount Pleasant)

Real Estate - Loan Modifications:
Suzanne Lafleur Klok (Mount Pleasant)
Josh Roten (Mount Pleasant)

Social Security, Disability:
Cindy Floyd (West Ashley)
Suzanne Lafleur Klok (Mount Pleasant)
Josh Roten (Mount Pleasant)
Jack Swan (North Charleston)

Veterans’ Benefits
Catherine LaFond (Charleston)
Rhett D. Klok (Mount Pleasant)
Suzanne Lafleur Klok (Mount Pleasant)
Josh Roten (Mount Pleasant)

Workers' Compensation:
David Aylor (downtown Charleston)
Jack Swan (North Charleston)

* For cases with potential for broad civil rights impact, please contact Susan Dunn, staff attorney for the ACLU SC National Office:
PO Box 582
Charleston, SC 29402
Phone: (843) 830-1571
e-Mail: sdunn@aclu.org

David Aylor, Attorney at Law

24 Broad Street

Charleston, SC 29401

Phone:(843)-577-5530, Fax 843-577-9204

email david@davidaylor.com
Office is handicap accessible; free consultations; has many contacts in the LGBT community. Areas of focus include Family Law, Criminal Defense and Workers' Compensation

Anne Frances Bleecker

The Bleecker Law Firm, LLC
82 Church Street
P.O. Box 811
Charleston, SC 29402
Phone: (843) 722-2900, Fax: (843) 722-2997
Website: http://www.bleeckerlawfirm.net/
e-Mail: afbleecker@bleeckerlawfirm.com
Specializes in Family Court and Law. Supportive of LBGT concerns. Initial consult $750.

M. Malissa Burnette, Esquire

Burnette & Rothstein, P.A.
2322 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29205
Phone: (803) 251-0202, Fax: (803) 251-0222
e-Mail: mmburnette@mindspring.com
Experienced in working with the LGBT community, particularly regarding employment, family law, and other discrimination issues.

Colleen T. Condon, Esquire

Condon Law Firm, LLC
3 Gamecock Avenue, Suite 301
Charleston SC 29407
Phone: (843) 225-7288, Fax: (843) 225-7289, Toll-Free: (866) 234-7894
Website: www.colleencondonlaw.com
e-Mail: colleen@colleencondonlaw.com
Experienced in work with the LGBT community regarding family law, specifically divorces (keeping both parties civil when someone is coming out of the closet and leaving their spouse) and custody matters. Special AFFA member discount: $200/hour.

Samuel Cooper, Jr.

P.O. Box 70306
North Charleston, SC 29415
Phone: (843) 266-6866, Fax: (843) 554-4496
Website: www.Bill-Green.com
e-Mail: SamuelBeverly@Bill-Green.com
Has represented LGBT individuals, though not regarding LGBT-related matters. Initial consult is free of charge. Office is handicap accessible.

J. Kirkland Grant

Distinguished Visiting Professor of Law
Charleston School of Law
81 Mary Street-PO Box 535
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 377-2416, Fax: (843) 853-2519
e-Mail: kgrant@charlestonlaw.edu
Specializes in business, wills & trusts, real estate and personal injury

Thomas Gressette, Jr.

P.O. Box 1007
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465
Phone: (843) 727-6595, Fax: (843) 216-6509, Toll-Free: (888) 293-6883
Website: www.rpwb.com
e-Mail: tgressette@rpwb.com
Specializes in representing injured persons and groups of people, particularly in: products liability, predatory lending, toxic torts, catastrophic injury & wrongful death cases, class actions, pharmaceutical and medical device claims. Free initial consultations. Office is handicap accessible.

Suzanne Groff (AFFA Business Sponsor)

1058 Sea Eagle Watch
Charleston, SC 29412
Phone: (843) 406-7733 Fax: (843) 406-0205
e-Mail: suzannegroff@grofflaw.com
A former board member of AFFA, has much experience with LBGT issues. Has helped LGBT clients with adoptions, name-changes, co-guardianships. Office is handicap accessible, fees vary.

Cindy Floyd

1327 Ashley River Road
Building C, Suite 100
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: (843) 820-5356, Fax: (843) 576-0150
e-Mail: floydcc02@aol.com
Has aided members of the LGBT community with Adoption, Wills, Power of Attorney, Health Care Power of Attorney, and Probate. Also works with Social Security and Disability. Office is handicap accessible and initial consultation fee is $35 per half hour.

Mary Ann Hall

1327 Ashley River Road, Ste. C-100
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: (843) 377-1341, Fax: (843) 377-1344
e-Mail: mah@hallmarweims.com
Specializes in Family Law/Domestic Relations. Experienced with matters concerning LGBT individuals. Recently obtained custody of granddaughter for lesbian grandmother. Initial consultation fee is $300; retainers from $2500-$10,000 depending upon the complexity of the issue. Office is handicap accessible.

Harriet Hancock, Attorney at Law

PO Box 1838
Columbia SC, 29201
Phone: 803-407-6030
e-Mail: pridemomsc@aol.com

Edward Hawkins

Hawkins Law Firm, P.A.
800 Wappoo Road
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: (843) 225-7565
e-Mail: hawkinslawfirm@aol.com
Primarily practices in Family Court, but also does criminal defense. Initial consultation is free, retainer fee determined on an individual case basis.

Klok Law Firm LLC

Suzanne Lafleur Klok 843.375.1261 (direct)
Rhett Klok 843.375.1260 (direct)
Josh Roten 843.375.1265 (direct)

Many friends and contacts in the LGBT community
1002 Anna Knapp Blvd, Suite 103
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
843.216.8860 (tel.)
843.375.9028 (fax)
www.kloklaw.com

Catherine LaFond, PA

544 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: (843) 762-3554, Fax: (843) 377-0111
Website: www.lafondlaw.com
e-Mail: Catherine@lafondlaw.com
Areas of Focus: Real Estate Purchase and Refinance Closings, and Estate Planning. Board member of both AFFA and of the Charleston School of Law Gay-Straight Alliance (known as Alliance for Equality). Over ten years experience in preparing estate planning documents (wills, durable powers of attorney, health care powers of attorney & living wills) for same sex couples. Office is handicap accessible.

Allison LaMantia

Anthony P. LaMantia

LaMantia Law Firm, LLC
182 East Bay Street, Suite 302
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 724-6363, Fax: (843) 724-6380
Website: www.lamantialawfirm.com
e-Mail: lamantialawfirm@hotmail.com
Areas of Focus: Family Law (divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence, wills, powers of attorney, parental rights) and Criminal Law. Has represented many lesbian and gay clients with family law and criminal problems. Free Consultation. Office is handicap accessible.

Mary Murray

995 Island Park Drive, Suite 203
Daniel Island, SC 29492
Phone: (843)971-8646, Fax: (843) 971-8073
Website: www.danielislandlaw.com
e-Mail: mjmurray@danielislandlaw.com
Specializes in Family Law, Estate Planning, Probate, and Real Estate. Has worked with the LGBT individuals regarding custody, domestic partnership dissolution, wills, estates, and real estate issues. Office is handicap accessible, and initial consultation fee is waived for AFFA members.

John M. Mussetto

The Law Offices of John M. Mussetto, LLC
2607 Woodruff Rd. Suite E-228
Simpsonville, SC 29681
Ph: 864.283.0040 / Fax: 864.283.0080
e-mail john@mussettolaw.com
Licensed to practice law in South Carolina & Washington, DC
General Litigation, General Practice, Criminal law, Family law, Medical Malpractice and Injury and Wrongful Death.
Handicap accessible office. Fee arrangement depends upon type of case. Our firm has represented numerous clients on varying legal issues. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, age or religion.

Cynthia Ann O'Dell, P.C.

Attorney and Counselor at Law
102 Wappoo Creek Drive, Suite 1
Charleston, South Carolina 29412
Phone: (843) 406-7526
Toll-Free: (866) 706-7526
Fax: (843) 406-7527
Website: www.cynthiaodell.com
e-Mail: cynthia@cynthiaodell.com
Recognizes the crucial importance of Estate Planning for LGBT individuals. Initial consult fee is waived for AFFA members and families. See Cynthia personally.

Anne Peterson-Hutto

761 St Andrews Blvd.
Charleston SC 29407
Phone: (843)571-5000
Fax: (843)852-9860
Website: www.peterson-hutto.com
email: anne@peterson-hutto.com
Most cases handled on contingency basis; has volunteered at Lowcountry AIDS Services Legal Clinic. Office is handicap accessible.

Sally Rentiers

7 Saint Augustine Drive
Charleston, SC 29407-6017
Phone: (843) 792-3714, Fax: (843) 792-6105
e-Mail:youngsal@musc.edu, sallyrentiers@yahoo.com Experienced in serving LGBT individuals with regard to Estate Planning, Health Care Concerns, Health Care and General Power of Attorney, Family Court matters, and other issues. However, Ms. Rentiers is currently working as the Deputy General Counsel at MUSC, so she is available on a limited basis for less complicated matters, after 5:00pm and on the weekends only. Office is handicap accessible, fees vary, sometimes does pro bono work.

Terry Ann Rickson (AFFA Business Sponsor)

102 Wapoo Creed Drive, Suite 8
Charleston, SC 29412
Phone: (843) 722-1500, Fax: (843) 722-7080
Website: www.ricksonlaw.com
e-Mail: terry@ricksonlaw.com
Area of Focus: Employment and Labor (for the employee). Experienced with discrimination law. Initial consult is free by the phone, or $250 in person. Office is handicap accessible.

Nathan Senn

Attorney at Law

The Law Offices of N. B. Senn, LLC

P. O. Box 13054

Charleston, South Carolina 29422-3054

Tel. 843-608-9529

www.sennlawfirm.com

Areas of focus: Domestic relations, minor criminal/traffic charges, wills and estate planning, as well as personal injury law. I am happy to meet with any client for a free initial consultation on any matter.

Heather S. Shaw (AFFA Business Sponsor)

Attorney at Law
2129 Dorchester Road
North Charleston, SC 29405
Office:(843) 377-1686
Fax: (843) 554-6126
e-Mail: shawlawfirm@inbox.com
Deals primarily with family court matters including Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Name Change, and Gender Change. Also works with Probate/Estate Planning, Personal Injury and Criminal. Has personal and professional experience with the LGBT community and their concerns. Initial consultation is free of charge. Fees vary.

Nekki Shutt, Esquire

Callison, Tighe, & Robinson, LLC
Attorneys at Law
1812 Lincoln Street, Suite 100
Columbia, SC 29201
Post Office Box 1390
Columbia, SC 29202-1390
Phone: (803) 256-2371, Fax: (803) 256-6431
Website: www.ctrlawfirm.com and www.callisontighe.com
e-Mail: NekkiShutt@ctrlawfirm.com
Specializes in employment law.

Stephen M. Slotchiver

Slotchiver & Slotchiver, L.L.P.
4 State Street
Charleston, SC 29401-2810
Phone: (843) 577-6531, Fax: (843) 577-0261
Areas of Focus: Civil Tax Law, Criminal Taxation, Estate Planning, Probate Administration and Litigation. Has represented many gay and lesbian individuals with estate planning. Handicap accessibility can be arranged.

Leslie E. Stephens

Attorney at Law
19 North Liberty Street
P.O. Box 18356
Asheville, North Carolina 28814
Phone: (828) 259-9009, Fax: (828) 281-3432
e-Mail: sses98@msn.com
General practice, particularly in matters directly pertaining to LGBT issues and concerns. Willing to work with clients with a North Carolina/South Carolina connection.

Elizabeth Stringer-Nettles

Stringer & Stringer
Physical Address:                        Mailing Address:
753 Folly Road                            P.O. Box 195
Folly Beach, SC 29412                 Folly Beach, SC 29439
Phone: (843) 795-1331, Fax: (843) 762-0144
Website: www.stringerlaw.us
e-Mail: liz@stringerlaw.us
    Areas of Focus: Family Law, Real Estate, Probate, General Civil Litigation. Has worked with gay couples in assistance with business questions, as well as drafting estate documents, health care/general powers of attorney, and real estate documents.

Jack Swan

1455-D Remount Road
North Charleston, SC 29406
Phone: (843) 225-5111, Fax: (843) 225-5112
e-Mail: jackswanlaw@knology.net
Initial consultation is free for first 30 minutes, office is handicap accessible.

Clarence Thomas Tolly, III

Tolly Law Firm, LLC
1634 Ashley River Road
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: (843) 266-7498, Fax: (843) 266-7499
Website: www.tollylawfirm.com
e-Mail: tom@tollylawfirm.com
Areas of Focus: Business Law, Estate Planning, Probate, Personal Injury, Family Law, Bankruptcy, Criminal Defense (DUI defense, specifically). Experienced with the LGBT community. Initial consultation is free of charge; hourly or retainer fees available. Office is handicap accessible.

Peter Wilborn

Derfner, Altman, & Wilborn, LLC
40 Calhoun Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 723-9804, Fax: (843) 723-7446
Website: www.DAWlegal.com
e-Mail: pwilborn@DAWlegal.com
Areas of Focus: Labor, Injury, General Litigation. Has conducted legal research for LAMBDA projects in the past. Initial consultation is free, office is handicap accessible.