Ann Wilson Payseur
Ann was born in Shelby, North Carolina and has lived in Belmont for the past ten years. For over twenty years she has advocated for children with special needs — including her own two sons. She found she has a passion for assisting families who have children with special needs. With this passion in mind, Ann chose to leave her position as a Risk Executive for a Charlotte insurance company, where she worked for over two decades, in order to go to law school and pursue a career in law. Ann believes her life experiences have made her a stronger person and help her serve others not just as an attorney but also as an engaged citizen and member of the community.
During her years in law school, Ann interned in the Gaston County District Attorney’s office trying criminal cases. For over four years, Ann served as an advocate for children with the Gaston County Guardian ad Litem program. While in law school, Ann received the school’s highest award for pro bono hours.
Ann began practicing law in 2012 by opening her own practice. She was appointed by the Gaston County Commissioners in 2013 to serve as a Foster Parent Ombudsman for Gaston County. Ann enjoys advocating for children involved in contested custody cases by serving as the Guardian ad Litem for the children. Ann also dedicates a large portion of her law practice to assisting clients in estate planning and probate administration. In January 2015, Ann merged her practice with Jamie to build a more comprehensive law practice to better serve her clients.
Ann is a member of Belmont Rotary where she served as president in 2013-2014. In 2014, she was presented the “Distinguished Rotarian” award for her service to Rotary. When not at work, Ann enjoys afternoons on the lake with her family and dinner dates with her husband.
Jamie Hester Griffith
Jamie was born and raised in North Carolina. She grew up on a tobacco farm in Forsyth County, right outside of Winston-Salem. Jamie attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate years and for law school, spending seven beloved years there. While an undergraduate, Jamie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy with Honors. During law school Jamie focused her studies on criminal law and issues relating to child welfare and juvenile justice. She participated in the Juvenile Justice Clinic, representing children who were alleged to have committed acts of delinquency. She interned with the Wake County Public Defender’s Office in Raleigh during her last summer, practicing under the supervision of experienced attorneys.
Jamie’s interest in child welfare and both the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems led her to choose a career as an attorney. She is passionate about protecting children’s best interests and advocating for individuals involved in legal matters that affect both juveniles and families.
Jamie has practiced in Gaston County since she graduated from law school and passed the bar exam in 2012, first working as an associate attorney for Dana Sherrill Lahbabi. In 2014 she opened her own practice in Belmont, focusing on family law but practicing in other areas. In January 2015, Jamie merged her firm with Ann’s practice in an exciting new venture that will offer more services to her existing and future clients.
In her spare time, she enjoys riding her mountain bike. Jamie also relishes both cooking and eating a nice homemade meal. Most of all, she loves spending time with her family and loved ones.
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100 Glenway Street, Suite A,
Belmont, NC 28012
P: (704) 829-8195
F: (704) 970-7730