D. Lynn Russell, Principal, has practiced in the area of family law, business organization, and litigation since 1981. Ms. Russell is also a registered mediator in Cobb County and Dekalb County, a registered arbitrator in Fulton County and Dekalb County, an early neutral case evaluator in Dekalb County, and she is registered with the State of Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Ms. Russell has assisted with training in the Divorce Mediation Institute, and with Collaborative Law, and she has presented numerous workshops on family law. Ms. Russell is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, the State Bar of Pennsylvania, the Academy of Family Mediators, the Family Section of the State Bar of Georgia, and she is currently Chairperson of the City of Decatur Zoning Appeals Board and a member of Boards of various community organizations. Ms. Russell received her undergraduate degree from West Virginia Institute of Technology, a graduate degree from West Virginia University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law.

Ann J. Herrera, Principal, received her undergraduate education at Bryn Mawr College and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Following a clerkship with the Probate Court of Fulton County, she joined D. Lynn Russell in founding Russell & Herrera in 1984. In addition to her practice with private clients in the areas of probate, estate planning and estate litigation, advance directives, guardianships and elder law, Ms. Herrera serves in numerous court-appointed roles in Dekalb County and Fulton County. Currently, Ms. Herrera is the appointed Fulton County guardian. Ms. Herrera is also active with the Elder Law Project of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, is a civil arbitrator for Fulton County Superior Court, and is trained as a mediator. Ms. Herrera is a member of the American Bar Association, the Family Law and Fiduciary Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, the Academy of Family Mediators, and the Family Mediation Association of Georgia. Ms. Herrera is also currently appointed as a Municipal Judge in the City of Decatur.

Dana C. Ashford, Principal, received her undergraduate degree in Business Management at Georgia State University in 1988, and her Juris Doctor degree from the Georgia State University College of Law in 2000. Ms. Ashford started with Russell & Herrera in 1992 as a paralegal and worked full-time for the firm while attending law school. She participated in the mediation externship program while in law school and is a certified mediator. Ms. Ashford practices in the areas of probate and estate litigation, advance directives, guardianships, elder law and family law. Ms. Ashford is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, American Bar Association, and the Family Law and Fiduciary Law Sections of the State Bar of Georgia.

 

Staff:

Mary Kathryn Hagge - Paralegal
Marie Hodgman-Schoeneberg - Paralegal
Phyllis Primus - Administrative Assistant, Billing
Jennifer Tennant - Fiduciary Accounting Manager
Vera Tsalwa - Paralegal