Our Team

Warriors for Justice

Learn about Charleston Legals Access’ Team Values

  • Shirene Hansotiais an attorney, criminal justice reform advocate, and nonprofit leader with extensive experience in legal practice, policy development, and public service. She has dedicated her career to ensuring that justice is accessible to all, particularly system-impacted individuals and underserved communities.

    She earned her Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from Charleston School of Law, where she received multiple CALI Awards and is admitted to practice in South Carolina and the U.S. District Court for South Carolina. She holds a Master’s in Public Policy/Public Administration from Michigan State University, where she was a Presidential Management Intern and Ford Foundation grant recipient, and a Bachelor’s in Journalism and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a minor in African Studies.

    Shirene founded Time Served, SC, a nonprofit representing system-impacted individuals and advocating for policy reform, including juvenile sentencing, parole reform, and Ban the Box initiatives. She also created the South Carolina Justice Alliance and the first Parole Legal Clinic at Charleston School of Law. Previously, she served as State Director of Root & Rebound, SC, where she led statewide advocacy, direct legal services, and impact litigation, achieving significant reforms in employment, re-entry, and parole policies.

    Her prior experience includes serving as Criminal Justice Policy Counsel for the ACLU of South Carolina, a Public Defender in Charleston County, and federal intelligence roles with the CIA, where she conducted covert operations and briefed senior U.S. government officials. She has also worked in community development with HUD and in research and journalism.

    Shirene is a published author and trainer, with programs on parole advocacy, criminal justice policy, and continuing legal education. She serves on multiple boards, volunteers with local organizations, and frequently speaks at conferences on criminal justice reform, policy, and equity.

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  • Mary Vosburgh joined Charleston Legal Access in May 2023. She worked as a staff attorney with One80 Place Legal Services from 2013 until May 2023, working exclusively with homeless veterans. She dedicated her time to assisting homeless and indigent veterans in removing civil legal barriers to ending their homelessness. The majority of her practice focused on Social Security Disability, Veteran’s Benefits, Child Support Issues, Consumer Law, Landlord/Tenant Law, Identification Issues, Driver’s License Reinstatements, and Expungements.

    Mary chaired the Charleston Homeless Court Implementation Committee, starting Charleston’s first Homeless Court and was an integral part of the startup of the first Housing Courts in South Carolina. She is currently a member of the ABA Commission on Homelessness and Poverty, James L. Petigru Inn of Court, and Past President of the Charleston County Bar Association in South Carolina. She has presented at the annual conferences of both The National Legal Aid and Defender Association and the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans to further tackle legal and social issues facing homeless veterans and the indigent. Mary also serves as an Associate Municipal Court Judge for the City of Hanahan, South Carolina.

    Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mary obtained a Bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston in 2003 in the areas of Arts Management and Corporate Communications. She worked as a concert promoter and talent buyer in Charleston for five years. In 2009, she enrolled at the Charleston School of Law to obtain her law degree, graduating magna cum laude in 2012.

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  • Rachael joined CLA in 2023 as the Director of Development. She brings with her over a decade of professional experience in fundraising with a focus on supporting historically underrepresented communities.

    She was born and raised in Northern California before pursuing her undergraduate studies at Syracuse University. She continued her education and received a Master’s in Strategic Fundraising and Philanthropy from Bay Path University in 2018. She relocated to the Lowcountry from New York City with her family that same year, where she has been able to get back to her roots of enjoying year-round temperate weather.

    Rachael is thrilled to connect more people with CLA’s mission to expand access to justice in South Carolina by providing high quality legal representation. She can be reached at rachael@charlestonlegalaccess.org or at 843-380-8053.

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  • Stephen joined Charleston Legal Access in 2024 as the Equal Justice Works Housing Fellow. Prior to joining Charleston Legal Access he spent eight years as a civil litigator, practicing personal injury, workers’ compensation, probate, and landlord tenant. He is licensed to practice law in the State of South Carolina, the U.S. District Court of South Carolina, and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

    Stephen received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Charleston School of Law (cum laude), his MA in Theology/Counseling from Columbia International University, and his BS in History/Religion from Charleston Southern University.

    Stephen lives in Nexton with his son and daughter. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching his kids in First Tee, boating around Charleston, and enjoying Charleston’s vast culinary scene.

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  • Dorothy Blackwelder joined Charleston Legal Access in May 2025. Dorothy has served as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem as well as a foster parent with Dorchester County DSS where she first witnessed the shortcomings of the justice system. Working with Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, the Mediation and Meeting Center of Charleston, and Charleston Legal Access while in law school further galvanized her passion to help close the justice gap and ensure all people have access to competent and compassionate legal aid.  

    Dorothy graduated magna cum laude from the Charleston School of Law in 2024 and Presbyterian College in 2003, with a B.A. in Religion: Christian Education and minor in Philosophy. She also received her Master of Divinity from Columbia Seminary in 2006. Prior to attending law school, she served as Associate Pastor of Dorchester Presbyterian Church in Summerville and as Director of Communications for Charleston Atlantic Presbytery. She lives in Summerville with her husband and three children.

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  • Jennie Marie Montenotte has been practicing law since 2020, focusing on immigration, family, and criminal law. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and her Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work in various areas of the law—including civil, family, and criminal cases—primarily in Tennessee. Immigration law has become her primary area of focus and the work she is most passionate about.


    Jennie says, "I’m excited to be part of Charleston Legal Access who is deeply committed to expanding access to justice. The mission of providing legal services to those who
    may otherwise go unrepresented aligns with my values and my desire to serve
    the community."

    Jennie and her partner are excited to return to South Carolina with their two children, along with two dogs, Dallas and Zeus. They enjoy spending time together at the beach and are looking forward to this next chapter.

  • Brenda is a passionate advocate for languages, cultures, and the Latin X community. 

    Growing up in Mexico, Brenda was fascinated by different languages and cultures. This curiosity led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in International Business Management, with a focus on interpreting. She graduated with honors from University of Veracruz in 2020. During her undergraduate years, she embarked on a two-year study abroad program in China, where she immersed herself in Mandarin Chinese and gained firsthand experience of China's rich culture.

     Brenda has contributed significantly to the Latin X community, advocating for cultural awareness and empowerment. Brenda worked as an Immigration paralegal for two years where she worked diligently to assist individuals navigating the complexities of immigration law, particularly focusing on supporting the Hispanic community in South Carolina.

    In her free time, she enjoys hiking and going on walks with her husband, son and dog.

  • Kate is a passionate advocate for equity and a lifelong ally of marginalized communities. Her experience in operations, leadership and coaching span years in both corporate and public service environments and she's thrilled to land back in the nonprofit world with the team at Charleston Legal Access.

    Originally from northern New Jersey, Kate has lived in the Charleston area for almost 15 years. She is passionate about learning from other cultures, and became fluent in Spanish while living and working in Guatemala.

    She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in International Education. Outside of work she loves to spend time outdoors hiking, running or playing at the beach with her family and their rescue pets.

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  • Jill joined Charleston Legal Access in August of 2023 as an intern during her time at the College of Charleston.  After graduating with her degree in Political Science and Philosophy & Law, Jill joined CLA full-time in January 2024 as the housing court coordinator and now legal assistant.

    She is originally from Boston and plans to return to New England to attend law school in 2025. CLA’s mission and dedication to promoting equal justice has greatly inspired this decision.

    In her free time, Jill enjoys spending time at Sullivans Island, finding new coffee shops, and hanging out with her cat Simon.

  • Elise is a South Carolina native who grew up in Columbia before attending the College of Charleston, where is graduated in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She also holds an associates degree in Creative Writing and a certification in Paralegal Studies.

    With a passion for nonprofit work, Elise is driven by CLA’s mission to ensure equitable access to legal representation.

    Outside of work, she loves traveling, reading a good book, and discovering new restaurants.

  • Madison serves as the Communications and Development Associate at Charleston Legal Access, where she supports storytelling and outreach efforts that amplify the voices of individuals and communities pursuing equity and justice.

    Madison is a Minnesota native who has been setting up roots in South Carolina since 2024. She graduated with a B.S. from the University of Minnesota in 2014, and a Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, in 2018. Prior to joining CLA, Madison served ELCA churches as both a pastor and communicator, finding deep importance in making space for voices, strengthening community connections, and supporting equity and access to justice for all people.

    Madison lives in the Midlands with her two children and two cats. In her spare time, she’ll most likely be watching re-runs of The Office or Parks and Rec.

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  • Sally was a committed public interest attorney with experience in criminal, community development, civil rights, refugee resettlement, employment, and environmental law.  She clerked at the trial and appellate level of the federal court system, working closely with the Honorable Judge Richard M. Gergel (District of South Carolina) and the Honorable Harry T. Edwards (D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals). She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2005 and New York University School of Law in 2010, where she was a recipient of the Root Tilden Kern scholarship, the nation's premier public service law school award. Sally was passionate about serving those who have no clear access to legal representation: those in the middle, who are working hard but can be easily crippled by a legal setback. She is the founder of CLA, Charleston's first and only nonprofit modest means law firm. 

    Sally was also a 2016 Riley Fellow with the Riley Institute's Diversity Leaders Initiative and sits on the Trident United Way Prosperity Center Advisory Board and the Charleston Social Justice and Racial Equity Council. She was a member of the bar in New York and South Carolina, and is admitted to practice in the District Court of South Carolina and in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

    On Friday, August 16, 2019, Sally Corbette Newman passed away at the untimely age of 36. She was the beloved spouse of Romain Philippe Guimard, daughter of Joe Newman and Nancy Margaret Houska, sister of Megan Schneeberger, and granddaughter of Liz Newman. Sally’s legacy lives on through Charleston Legal Access and we are grateful for the time we had with her.

Thank you to all of the supporters who have honored Sally’s memory by donating to CLA. We are so grateful that Sally created this amazing organization and that donors continue to support her legacy.