Excellence In Family Law
Biography
Ashton joined the Lyne Ranson Law Offices team as an associate attorney in 2015 after serving as a summer law clerk there during her second year of law school. Ashton is passionate about serving the people of West Virginia as a family law attorney. Her practice focuses primarily on custody, divorce, adoption, relocation, guardianship, grandparent visitation, alimony, and child support. She is experienced in the courtroom and with our clients. She has had cases before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, as well as family courts and circuit courts across the state.
Ashton attended Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida after graduating from Marshall University in 2012. She was admitted to the West Virginia State Bar in 2015 and has been following her passion for Family Law ever since.
Ashton was recently elected as the Chair-Elect of the Young Lawyer's Board of the West Virginia State Bar. She has served as a member of the Young Lawyer's Section since 2017 and enjoys being heavily involved in the inner workings of the State Bar and all the services, CLE's, and opportunities they offer to attorneys in West Virginia. She also sits as a member of the Family Law Section of the West Virginia State Bar. Her favorite hobbies include crafting, attending Broadway shows, and entertaining friends and family at her home.
Ashton lives in the South Hills neighborhood with her husband, Ray Harrell, Jr., and their three daughters. In her spare time, Ashton enjoys spending time with her children, serving as the Chapter Advisor of Alpha Xi Delta at Marshall University, traveling, and catching up with her sorority sisters.
"Most people recognize the powerful emotions that accompany each family law case. That emotion is what drives my desire to practice family law. My passion is being there and fighting for people and their families who are experiencing some of the most difficult times of their life. For me, family is everything, and there is no job more rewarding than mine."
Education
- Florida Coastal School of Law, Jacksonville, Florida
- Juris Doctor – 05/2015
- Honors: Student Ambassador
- Honors: Student Bar Association – Elected 2L Legislator, Alumni Relation Chair, & Executive Board Member, (Secretary)
- Honors: Study Abroad Experience: Clermont Ferrand, France – Studied Anti-Terrorism Law and Comparative Franchise Law – June 2013 − July 2013
- Law Journal: The Rainmaker – Florida Coastal School of Law Student Newspaper, Managing Editor in Chief, 2013 – 2014
- Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia
- B.A. – 05/2012
- Honors: cum laude
- Honors: Dean’s List, 2008-2012
- Major: Broadcast Journalism
Practice Areas
- Family Law - Custody, Adoption, Divorce, Guardianship, Child Support 100%
Bar Admission
- West Virginia, 2015
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association
Certified Legal Specialties
- Certificate in Family Law, 2015
Honors
- Florida Coastal School of Law Foundation Student Leadership Award
- Book Award for Highest Grade in Legal Research and Writing
- Book Award for Highest Grade in Adoption Law
- Governor’s Merit Scholarship Recipient
- Best Advocate in Both Trials - Trial Practice
- Significant Contributions to FCSL Student Ambassadors
- Above and Beyond Service Award - Student Ambassadors
- Exemplary Service Award to the Student Bar Association
Pro-Bono Activities
- Hubbard House (36+ hours fundraising/volunteer efforts though The Vagina Monologues 2014 - 2015)
- MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation (8+ hours, 2013 - 2014)
- Jacksonville City Mission SBA Clean Up (4 hours, 2014)
- Compassionate Families, Inc. (8+ hours fundraising efforts through SBA, 2014 - 2015)
- Jacksonville Beach SBA Clean Up 2014 & 2015 (6 hours, 2014 - 2015)
- Learn to Read Anniversary Event- (3 hours, 2013)
- YMCA of Kanawha Valley Youth Lock In (9+ hours, 2014)
Classes & Seminars
- Custody & Child Support in Family Law, CLE Presented to the WV Bar
Fraternities or Sororities
- Alpha Xi Delta
Past Positions
- Zisser Law Firm, Law Clerk, 2013 to 2015
- Zisser Law Firm, Intern, 2009
- WSAZ News Channel 3, Charleston and Huntington, West Virginia, Intern, 2011 to 2011
- TGS Consulting PR Firm, Charleston, West Virginia, Intern, 2010 to 2010
- Office of United States Senator Jay Rockefeller, Charleston, West Virginia, Intern, 2009 to 2009
- Attorney