THE TEAM

Ruthann P. Lacey

Ruthann Lacey is a Certified Elder Law Attorney. She started her firm, the Law Office of Ruthann P. Lacey, P.C., in 1995 to concentrate on planning for the unique and often complex concerns of the elder population and their adult children, and those of disabled children and adults.

Ruthann is a member of the Special Needs Alliance, a charter member of the Council of Advanced Practitioners, a member of the Elder Law and Small Firm Sections of the Atlanta Bar Association, as well as the Elder Law Committee and the Probate and Estate Planning Committee of the General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Section of the American Bar Association. Formerly, she served as vice-chair of the Elder Law Section of the Georgia Bar Association.

Ruthann belongs to the DeKalb Estate Planning Council and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), and serves as a Trustee on the board of The Georgia Community Trust.

She is also a member of the Brain Injury Association of Georgia, the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta, the National Family Caregivers Association, and the National Guardianship Association.

Ruthann has drafted Elder Law legislation for submission to the Georgia General Assembly, and is an editor and published writer. She is an active speaker on the local, state and national level, both to professional and public groups and organizations. She also conducts staff training programs for nursing homes and hospitals, and has been an Instructor of Estates, Trusts and Wills and Legal Research at the National Center for Paralegal Training.

Licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia and Washington, D.C., Ruthann is a graduate of Trinity College and Emory University School of Law.

Ruthann enjoys reading and photography and serves with a missions outreach team teaching business classes to small business owners and managers in Chernihiv, Ukraine.

Dorothy (Dot) Richeson Harper

As an Associate Attorney for the Law Office of Ruthann P. Lacey, P.C., Dot Harper’s primary focus is on Probate and Estate work as well as Guardianships and Conservatorships. Harper assists clients in planning for the future by drafting legal documents, and represents clients in court hearings for the Appointment of Executors, Guardians and Conservators.

Prior to joining the firm, Dot served as Associate Attorney, General Practice, Family Law, and Real Estate Litigation for Claude M. Kicklighter, Jr. P.C. and as a Real Estate Closing Attorney for Weissman, Nowak, Curry & Wilco, P.C. Before entering the field of law, Harper taught Middle School Algebra and Math for more than 10 years.

Dot’s interest in the practice of Elder and Special Needs Law stems from past experiences with Alzheimer patients and with students having Special Needs. She counts among her most gratifying work the time she spent serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children where she represented children who were abused and neglected, and her experience drafting legislation that would provide funding for the Post Secondary education of Foster Care Children in Georgia.

Dot graduated with Highest Honors from the University of Florida with a degree in Education. She later completed graduate programs at Georgia Southern University and Armstrong Atlanta State University. She earned her JD from Walter F. George Mercer University School of Law where she was on the Dean’s List and was awarded honors for Excellence in Achievement in several areas of legal study.

She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the State Bar of Georgia, the Atlanta Bar Association (Elder Law Section), the Gwinnett Bar Association (Estate Planning Section) and the American Bar Association. Dot is also a board member for the Elder Law Section of the Atlanta Bar Association.

When she’s not working to protect her clients, you’ll find Dot on the beach or planning her next beach trip.

Stephanie Buffington

Stephanie Buffington brings more than 20 years experience to her role as paralegal for the Law Office of Ruthann P. Lacey, P.C. Currently she is responsible for drafting documents (including wills and powers of attorney) and communicating with clients on all issues related to the creation and execution of those documents. Stephanie also acts as a liaison between clients and Ms. Lacey.

Prior to joining the firm, Stephanie worked as a litigation paralegal in areas such as product liability defense, personal injury, special education law, medical malpractice, and other areas. She also has extensive trial and complex litigation experience.

Stephanie was an English major at the University of Georgia and continues to develop her skills through numerous continuing education programs in the areas of Special Needs Trusts, Probate, Medicaid, Alzheimer's disease and non-Alzheimer's dementia.

Stephanie enjoys reading, researching and spending time with her toy poodle, Serendipity.

Ama Speede

As Office Manager for the Law Office of Ruthann P. Lacey, P.C., Ama Speede is responsible for ensuring organizational effectiveness in both front and back office operations. She brings decades of administrative and customer service experience to the role and most recently served as a Library Assistant for Atlanta Fulton Public Library.

Ama has completed continuing education programs offered by the Atlanta Bar Association and a certificate program at the Metropolitan Atlanta Opportunities Industrialization Center. She is past State President of Delta Epsilon Chi, the collegiate division of DECA, and is presently studying Computer Information Sciences at Atlanta Technical College.

Ama serves as a Teacher’s Assistant at Gullian Elementary School and enjoys helping children with their homework, resume preparation, and employment search at the Atlanta Fulton Public Library. As an employee of the Fulton County Election Board, she has risen from the position of Greeter to Chief Manager of a Precinct.

Originally a New York City native, Ama moved to Georgia in 1996. Her interests include reading, mentoring, nurturing her plants, listening to praise and worship songs, and volunteering in community service projects.

Teresa Kay Martinez

As the firm’s Accountant, Teresa K. Martinez is responsible not only for the proper maintenance of client accounts but also for client investment trusts. Prior to joining the Law Office of Ruthann P. Lacey, P.C., Teresa was a bookkeeper for Wings Air.

Although this is her first experience working for a law firm, Teresa has been quick to embrace her responsibilities explaining that she’s always been compelled to treat her employer’s business as if it were her very own.

Teresa has an associate’s degree in accounting Gwinnett Technical College and will complete her associate’s degree in Office Technology Management in the summer of 2009.

A newlywed, Teresa enjoys reading Stephen King and Robin Cook novels, spending time with her Chow Chow and traveling with her new husband.