Shannon Pawley
Shannon is the Owner and CEO of The Estate & Asset Protection Law Firm. She grew up in the Tidewater region of Virginia in a close-knit family with a strong tradition of military service, where she learned the value of integrity, hard work, and responsibility to others.
Her interest in advocacy began early. As a high school junior, she served as a U.S. House of Representatives Page during the 101st Congressional Session in Washington, D.C. That experience shaped her decision to pursue a career in law and deepened her commitment to representing people whose voices are often overlooked.
Shannon earned her undergraduate degree from North Carolina Wesleyan College, a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law, and an LL.M. in Taxation from Wayne State University. She is licensed to practice in Michigan and Georgia and is a VA Accredited Attorney.
Her work focuses on helping individuals and families navigate complex legal decisions, particularly as they plan for aging. Across her career, she has represented a wide range of clients, from large organizations to single parents, with a consistent focus on protecting the dignity and independence of each client. She sees her work as a calling to serve, empower, and uplift every individual and family she represents.
Laura Akins Smith
Laura Akins Smith is an attorney with more than ten years of experience serving individuals and families across the Atlanta area. Her practice focuses on special needs planning, estate planning, probate, guardianship, and elder law. She works closely with clients during both long-term planning and periods of loss, helping them navigate decisions that are often personal and complex.
Originally from Atlanta, Laura values the opportunity to serve her hometown. She began her career in estate planning and, over time, developed a deeper focus on special needs planning and elder law. She now practices with Kwartin & Levine, where she continues to help families plan for the future and care for loved ones.
Laura is active in the legal community, serving on the Executive Committee of the Fiduciary Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia. She is also a member of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers and the Atlanta Bar Association, and has been nominated as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for several consecutive years.
Her commitment to service extends beyond her practice. In addition to joining the Frazer Center Board of Directors, she serves on the advisory board for the Down Syndrome Association of Atlanta.
Cator Sparks
Cator Sparks is a life coach for men. Previously, he was a journalist in New York City, covering travel, fashion, and design for publications including The New York Times, Vanity Fair, Style.com, and Elle Decor. After 20 years in New York, Cator moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where he served as editor of the men’s lifestyle site The Manual. After 12 years, he returned home to Atlanta in 2024, where he now hosts in-person coaching sessions and retreats for GBTQ men.
Cator has a longstanding personal connection to the Frazer Center. His great-grandfather built the estate where the organization is located, and he spent time there as a child with his grandmother, who grew up on the property. It has long been his hope to serve on the board and support the events, visibility, and continued growth of a place he holds close to his heart.