At A Business Law Firm, LLC, we define our success by the success of our clients. Whether it is a personal matter or business, our clients seek legal counsel at every stage of their life and/or the lifespan of their business. Our greatest asset is the relationships we forge with our clients. Regardless of your situation, we are here to provide you with valued legal advice. Call us to schedule a consultation. Our personalized approach to your needs emphasizes our core value, “Your Success is Our Business!”
ABOUT
About Us
Our Values
Our firm provides outstanding service to our clients because of our dedication to the three underlying values of professionalism, responsiveness, and quality.
Professionalism
We are one of the leading firms in the area. Our high standards, service, and specialized staff spell the difference between our outstanding performance and other firms. We make sure that every client is served by the expertise of our whole firm.
Quality
A law firm is known for the quality of its service. Our firm’s reputation reflects the high standards we demand of ourselves.
Our primary goal as a trusted advisor is to be available and to provide insightful advice to enable our clients to make informed legal decisions. We do not accept anything less from ourselves, and this is what we deliver to you. We feel it is extremely important to continually professionally educate ourselves to improve our technical expertise, legal knowledge, and service to our clients. We will answer all your questions as they impact legal situations. We welcome you to contact us anytime.
Responsiveness
We are responsive. Companies who choose our firm rely on competent advice and fast, accurate personnel. We provide legal services to individuals, large and small businesses, and other agencies.
To see a listing of our practice areas, please look at our practice areas page. Because we get new business from the people who know us best, client referrals have fueled our growth in recent years. Through hard work, we have earned the respect of the business and local communities.
Our Team
Lauren handles estate planning, probate, and transactional business matters for the firm. Born and raised in the Upstate of South Carolina, Lauren graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honors. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law. While in law school, Lauren was a member of the Southeastern Environmental Law Journal, The IP Society, and Phi Delta Phi. After graduating law school in 2013, Lauren clerked for a 7th Judicial Circuit Court Judge in Spartanburg. Lauren previously worked in a law firm handling real estate and estate planning. Lauren joined A Business Law Firm in 2018 and became partner in 2019.
Lauren’s practice areas include estate planning, elder law, special needs law, and business planning. She dedicates her time to helping people understand estate and business planning issues. Lauren counsels her clients to help them to make the best decisions possible for their families and business. She holds seminars and webinars to educate people about long-term care and end-of-life planning. Lauren continues to increase her knowledge in these areas by attending continuing legal education on these specific areas.
When Lauren is not working at A Business Law Firm, LLC, she serves as an Adjunct Professor teaching Business Law at the University of South Carolina Upstate. Lauren is an alumna of Leadership Spartanburg, Class of 2019. Lauren is currently serving as President of the Spartanburg Estate Planning Council, a board member of the SC Planned Giving Chapter, a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and a member of the Downtown Spartanburg Rotary Chapter.
Chelsea Rikard is one of the litigators at A Business Law Firm representing individuals and businesses alike. She is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and earned her undergraduate degree in history and religious studies from the University of South Carolina. She then earned her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Chelsea’s litigation practice has includes handling disputes between co-owners of a business, seeking payment on contracts, pursuing claims against businesses who have failed to adhere to a contract, and working with consumers who have been damaged. Chelsea also provides non-litigation services to her clients. She helps budding entrepreneurs to choose and form the best business structure, she provides general counseling to expanding business, and helps business who are going through an ownership change or restructure.
In 2016, Chelsea joined A Business Law Firm, LLC as an associate. Eventually she became a co-owner of the firm and most recently, she took on the role as Managing Member alongside Lauren Ward. She finds satisfaction in her work when she is able to resolve a dispute for her client or when she receives news about her entrepreneurial clients reaching growth goals and objectives. To Chelsea, nothing is more satisfying than seeing a business and its owners thrive.
Chelsea regularly gives back to the Spartanburg Community by committing her time to civic engagements such as mentoring novice entrepreneurs,volunteering with estate planning clinics for first responders and veterans, and taking on Leadership positions with the South Carolina Bar Association. In addition to role at the Firm, Chelsea also teaches Business Law at Converse University. Chelsea particularly enjoys sparking a student’s interest not only in the legal field, but also in business law in particular.
Accomplishments / Leadership Roles
- Adjunct Professor of Business Law - Converse University
- 7th Circuit Representative - South Carolina Bar Young Lawyers Division
- 7th Circuit Delegate - South Carolina Bar House of Delegates
- Spartanburg Bar CLE Coordinator
- 2020 Recipient C. Bruce Littlejohn Young Lawyer of the Year Award
- 2021 President’s Award - South Carolina Bar
- 2019 Graduate of the South Caroline Bar Leadership Academy
Schedule A Consultation
Contact Us
We encourage you to contact us with any questions or comments you may have. Please call our office or fill out our consultation form.
Address
1989 S Pine Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302
