I became an attorney because I wanted to help people deal with life’s challenges. This remains my passion today – helping people. Being in active law practice since 1983, my areas of practice focus on: Adoption Personal Injury General Legal Counsel A primary focus in my life is to encourage people to use their talents and resources to create the culture of Christ where they live, work, study and play. My personal ministry includes the following: Helping the poor, the homeless and jobless in our community, and encouraging the local church to take on greater responsibility in helping those in need; Previously serving with the cold weather warming shelter for homeless men and women in York County, preparing and coordinated meals, and recruiting and training volunteers; Previously serving as a volunteer teacher for inmates incarcerated at the York County Moss Justice Center, and provide inmates with inspirational books and reading glasses; Founding Renew Our Community (ROC), a non-profit community effort established to unite the people of York County to renew broken lives (those struggling with economic poverty, addiction, mental impairments, joblessness, homelessness, and other types of social crisis) and to build up the entire community. Encouraging churches to help support and promote foster parenting, adoption, and those in our communities who are presently serving children and families, foster parents and those seeking to give children “forever families” through adoption; My present community ministry focus is to bring affordable housing and the American Dream of home ownership to people with moderate and lower incomes.

James Fletcher Thompson (Jim) was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1960. He graduated from Paul M. Dorman High School in 1979 where he was elected Student Body President. James Fletcher Thompson received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Vanderbilt University in 1983 and served as President of the Student Government Association. Following three years of work in Washington, D.C. in a variety of political and public interest endeavors, Mr. Thompson returned to South Carolina to study law. While at the University of South Carolina School of Law, he served on the Board of Editors of the South Carolina Law Review. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1989 and joined his father, Fletcher D. Thompson, in law practice the same year. Mr. Thompson’s study of South Carolina Adoption Law was published in the South Carolina Law Review in 1989. He has been an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of South Carolina School of Law teaching “Parents, Children and the Law” (1996 – 2001), a course that examined the law of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). In 2009, upon motion of their father, he and his sister Rebecca were admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

Andrea is a life-long advocate for children and families. The daughter of a teacher and an engineer, she was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina. She went on to attend the University of South Carolina School of Law, where she served as Associate Student Works Editor for the South Carolina Law Review and was a member of the Order of Wig and Robe. After graduation in 1999, she had the honor of clerking for the Honorable E.C. Burnett III, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina, before entering private practice in 2001. Andrea practiced in a wide range of fields on both sides of the bar for several years before finding her calling in child advocacy work in 2008. From 2013-2018 she served as Executive Director of a nonprofit family resource center. She returned to law practice in 2019 and dedicated her career to working with and for the benefit of children. She is excited to join Thompson Dove Law Group and expand her work with children and families in new ways. Andrea believes that investing in the wellbeing of children is the most important work we can do and she is proud to serve on the Boards of two community organizations that reflect and live out her values: the United Way of the Piedmont and the Mary Black Foundation. She is a long-time member of Tyger River Presbyterian Church, where she has served as Stewardship Elder and Christian Education Elder and currently teaches Preschool Sunday School. Andrea is married to David Rice, and together they have six now-grown children, a mixture of adopted, biological, and step, and six pets.

Katie’s family moved to South Carolina in the summer of 1973 when she was six months old. She grew up in the suburbs of Columbia, graduating from Irmo High School in 1991. Katie left South Carolina to attend Villanova University in Pennsylvania where she received a B.S. in Biology, a minor in Philosophy, with a concentration on women’s studies. She returned home and graduated from The University of South Carolina School of Law in 1999, where she was Associate Justice Administration for the Moot Court Bar and a member of the South Carolina Environmental Law Journal. After law school, she accepted a circuit court clerk position in Greenville for The Honorable Joseph J. Watson, retired. After her clerkship, Katie worked as an Assistant Solicitor for the 13th Circuit in both Pickens and Greenville. Katie exclusively prosecuted juvenile cases in Family Court from 2000-2006. She has extensive experience in the courtroom. Katie is married to Wally Fayssoux, an attorney and lifelong resident of Greenville. Katie and Wally built their family through adoption and have two amazing, intelligent, energetic sons. Katie stayed at home with their children until the youngest started school. She is thrilled to be back in the courtroom and is deeply moved to have a role in building families through adoption. Katie is honored and humbled to practice in the field of adoption law and appear in Family Court.

Cindy comes to Thompson Dove Law Group with over 15 years of experience in child services. She began volunteering at the Spartanburg Children’s Shelter (now the Hope Center for Children) in 2005, after realizing that she wanted help children who were experiencing a variety of instabilities in their lives. Furthering her desire to advocate for children, Cindy became a volunteer Guardian ad Litem in 2006. In 2008, Cindy became a foster care caseworker with the Spartanburg County Department of Social Services. Before leaving DSS in 2021, Cindy was the Program Coordinator for the After-Hours Program in Spartanburg and Cherokee counties, where she oversaw active investigations of abuse and neglect allegations. Having an interest in the laws that affect children, Cindy is excited to use her knowledge of the child welfare system in assisting clients of Thompson Dove Law Group.

We know what you’re thinking, but no, Lauren is not related to Dale, believe it or not! Lauren graduated from North Greenville University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. During her undergraduate program, she became interested in adoption and developed a passion to work with women who may be experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. With this career path in mind, after also completing a certificate program in American Sign Language from Spartanburg Community College, she sought out and earned a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina where she was able to complete an internship with Christian Family Services, a South Carolina licensed child-placing agency, further strengthening her desire to work within the field. Lauren is a licensed Master’s Social Worker (LMSW) in the states of South Carolina and Georgia, a certified Master’s Social Worker (CMSW) in the state of North Carolina, and a Certified Adoption Investigator. Being a member of the JFT team since 2015, she has a great respect for each birth parent with whom she works and feels blessed to know the adoptive families who open their hearts and homes to these children. In addition to her work in adoption, Lauren enjoys being a part of our Gestational Carrier (Surrogacy) program as she provides education and support services to gestational carriers, as well as remains a resource to intended parents as they prepare for the birth of their child(ren) through the journey of surrogacy.

Portia T. Hawkins is a Certified Adoption Investigator for the state of South Carolina. Prior to joining Thompson Dove Law Group, Portia worked with the South Carolina Department of Social Services for approximately 26 years where she served as a program manager of the Central Registry Unit under the Office of Safety Management for Child Welfare Services. In the role, she was in charge of screening applicants for Child Abuse and Neglect in SC. Portia has also served as the Director for Child Welfare Services Administration Division. In addition, she has worked in private adoptions since 2006 while counseling birth mothers, volunteering in crisis pregnancy centers, assisting in adoption workshops and assisting in hospital settings. Portia’s work experience has also included being a Medicaid program consultant for the State Department of Social Services for South Carolina and as the Central Office training supervisor and coordinator for education and logistics. Portia was recognized by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) in 2015 for her work with adoptions and foster care. She was honored with the title of “Adoption Angel” at a ceremony in Washington DC. The Angels in Adoption™ Program is CCAI’s signature public awareness campaign and provides an opportunity for all members of the U.S. Congress to honor the good work of their constituents who have enriched the lives of foster children and orphans in the United States and abroad. Portia is also a Lay Guardian ad Litem certified through the South Carolina Bar. Her input is valued by other adoption professionals on domestic and international adoptions. A mother of 2 daughters, she has found a special calling to assist expectant mothers who are looking for a solution, such as an appropriate adoption plan.

Melissa joined Thompson Dove Law Group in April of 2021 to provide administrative support to the daily operations of the firm. She comes to us with over 20 years of administrative experience in both manufacturing and non-profit sectors. She considers herself a life-long learner and is excited to provide her organizational skills and expertise in process efficiencies to the administrative side of the firm. Melissa graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Industrial Management and Statistics. She and her husband are both from Spartanburg and have two adult daughters and a son-in-law. Melissa loves Spartanburg and the close proximity to the mountains and beaches. She enjoys being outside, fitness activities, and reading. She is excited to support the firm and see the beauty that adoption brings to families.

Shannon M. Matteson has worked exclusively in the family formation field since 1997. Although a licensed California attorney, Shannon moved to the South to be near family and is excited to join our firm in an administrative role as the Program Director of our Gestational Carrier Program. Prior to joining our firm, Shannon’s California practice encompassed all aspects of surrogacy, egg donation, sperm donation, embryo donation, adoption, as well as surrogacy trust management and insurance issues. Given her extensive experience in gestational carrier arrangements, our firm is thrilled to have Shannon as a key member of our team. Shannon received her law degree from San Francisco’s Golden Gate University in 1996 and her undergraduate degree, with Honors, from Illinois State University in 1993, where she was elected to Pi Sigma Alpha and received the Distinguished Scholar in Political Science Award. She began working in adoption immediately following her graduation from law school, and quickly expanded her focus to the exciting and innovative field of third party assisted reproductive technologies. Shannon has presented on various topics impacting the fields of adoption and assisted reproduction before the American Academy of Adoptions Attorneys (AAAA), the American Academy of Assisted Reproductive Technology Attorneys (AAARTA), Resolve, and Crisis Pregnancy Centers. Shannon is Mom to a beautiful daughter, who was born in 2003. Shannon moved from California in order to raise her daughter near her family.

Vicki graduated from Spartanburg Methodist College in 1978 with an Associate’s Degree in Business and has worked with the JFT team as a paralegal and other various capacities since 2001. With over 30 years of experience in the legal field, Vicki continues to be a valuable asset to Thompson Dove Law Group! During her role as a paralegal, she worked primarily in the contested adoption area, while also providing paralegal support services to many of the firm’s private adoptive placements. Her work has included close contact with prospective adoptive parents and birth parents who have worked with the firm. After retiring, Vicki returned to Thompson Dove Law Group where she now works part-time as an Administrative Assistant. She assists in filing and maintaining office records, talking with previous adoptive and birth families, and special projects. Though the years, she has felt honored to work with so many wonderful families.

Yvonne embarked on a new career when she joined the Dove Law Group in November of 2014. When she joined the firm, Yvonne had just retired after working for 28+ years with the South Carolina Department of Social Services. She was the Director of the York County DSS for the last 11 years of her DSS career and was ready for a change. Yvonne soon found her niche at the law firm and she now assists Dale and Audrey at trials in contested adoption and custody cases, especially those involving DSS. She enjoys using her social work skills and experience Yvonne is a native of Rock Hill and has deep roots in this community. She graduated magna cum laude from Winthrop University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and also earned a Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Community and Agency Counseling from Winthrop. Yvonne is married and has one son and two beautiful granddaughters. Yvonne enjoys making things with her hands and once owned a business designing and building hand-crafted furniture. Her other hobbies include knitting, reading and gardening. Yvonne enjoys her newfound career and the opportunities it gives her to make a positive difference for children and families.

Paula embarked on a new career when she joined the Dove Law Group in September of 2019, shortly after her retirement from South Carolina Department of Social Services. She retired from Department of Social Services in July 2019 after working for over 31 years in agency Economic and Human Services programs. Paula has worked in all service areas with the agency, has provided direct supervision and management in Child Welfare Services and Intensive Foster Care & Clinical Services (IFCCS), to include serving as county director in several counties, and served as one of five State Regional Directors in the final eight years of her employment. As State Regional Director for Region IV, known as the Pee Dee Region, Paula provided leadership and management for Department of Social Services county offices in the counties of Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter, and Williamsburg. She was also responsible for leadership and management of the regional Adoption Services Office, the regional Foster Home Licensing and Support Office, and the Regional Intake Office. Paula enjoys being involved with the intake process at the law firm and with assisting the legal team with cases that are involved with South Carolina Department of Social Services. Occasionally works directly with firm clients that are linked with Department of Social Services, she enjoys using her knowledge, skills, and experience to help foster and adoptive parents, as well as kinship caregivers, in their quest to provide permanency and stability to abused and neglected children. Paula is a Certified Adoptions Investigator (CAI) and has worked with many families over the past 30 years throughout their adoption journeys.

Kari began her career with Dove Law Group in August 2018. Kari holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of South Carolina Upstate. During her attendance at college, Kari completed an internship with the Children’s Advocacy Center in Spartanburg, S.C. where she worked directly with the victims of child abuse. After graduation, Kari immediately began her career with the South Carolina Department of Social Services as a foster care case manager. She began her career at Pickens County DSS where she was for three years and then transferred to York County DSS. During her seven-year career with South Carolina Department of Social Services she held the positions of Senior Child Welfare Specialist, Foster Care Case Manager, and Foster Home Licensing Specialist. Kari’s background helped plant her seed with Dove Law Group. Kari now assists Jim and Dale with the contested custody and adoption cases, specifically those involving DSS. Kari desires to come alongside the families we serve to help secure permanence and a forever home for the children we are involved with. Kari is a native to York County as she was born and raised in Fort Mill, S.C. In her spare time, Kari enjoys spending time with her husband (James) and children (Jasmine, Alijah, Jaxon, and Allie), going shopping, and going on day trips with her husband on his motorcycle. Kari is so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Thompson Dove Law Group. Kari enjoys being a part of the positive difference that is made when our firm is able to make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families that we serve.

Mary Waldrop joined the firm in 2007, after working for 24 years as a paralegal in the area of personal injury law. She received a B.A. in Secondary Education from the University of South Carolina-Upstate in 1982, and began her paralegal career shortly thereafter. Upon joining the firm, Mary felt an immediate desire to learn all she could about adoption and ARTS. She was soon providing important paralegal support services as well as administrative services. In addition to working on adoption and ARTS cases, Mary’s organizational skills were put to use in organizing and maintaining the firm’s lists of clients awaiting adoptive placement. Mary also keeps up with the firm’s placement statistics and helps to develop short­ and long­term strategies for the firm’s staff development. Mary also assists in answering initial inquiries to the firm by phone or email, and arranges appointments for prospective clients. Mary is also the firm’s primary enforcement officer for our Hague Accreditation process. Mary enjoys ongoing paralegal education related to adoption and ARTS and regularly attends the paralegal conferences offered by the American Academy of Adoption Attorneys and the American Academy of Assisted Reproduction Technologies. Mary was a speaker at the last paralegal conference speaking on the topic of contested adoptions. Mary is a committed member of the firm and says that she finds her work in adoption and ARTS to be the most personally rewarding work in her long paralegal career.