Paula Richardson

Paula embarked on a new career when she joined the Dove Law Group in September of 2019, shortly after her retirement from South Carolina Department of Social Services. She retired from Department of Social Services in July 2019 after working for over 31 years in agency Economic and Human Services programs. Paula has worked in all service areas with the agency, has provided direct supervision and management in Child Welfare Services and Intensive Foster Care & Clinical Services (IFCCS), to include serving as county director in several counties, and served as one of five State Regional Directors in the final eight years of her employment. As State Regional Director for Region IV, known as the Pee Dee Region, Paula provided leadership and management for Department of Social Services county offices in the counties of Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter, and Williamsburg. She was also responsible for leadership and management of the regional Adoption Services Office, the regional Foster Home Licensing and Support Office, and the Regional Intake Office.

Paula enjoys being involved with the intake process at the law firm and with assisting the legal team with cases that are involved with South Carolina Department of Social Services. Occasionally works directly with firm clients that are linked with Department of Social Services, she enjoys using her knowledge, skills, and experience to help foster and adoptive parents, as well as kinship caregivers, in their quest to provide permanency and stability to abused and neglected children. Paula is a Certified Adoptions Investigator (CAI) and has worked with many families over the past 30 years throughout their adoption journeys.

As a native of Britton’s Neck, South Carolina, which is a small rural community in Marion County, Paula’s family roots run deep in the community and are grounded in public service. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, concentrating on Public Management, from Troy State University. Paula formerly served as a school board member for Marion County School District IV.

Hunter, Paula’s son, recently graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Engineering. They enjoy spending time together. She also enjoys being outside, spending time with her family at the beach, and home improvement projects. Other hobbies include refinishing and refurbishing furniture, reading, and boating. She is an avid Gamecock fan and likes to attend University of South Carolina sporting events. Paula also volunteers with Marion County Habitat for Humanity and is involved with the Disaster Recovery Program of the United Methodist Church Conference of South Carolina. She is a lifelong member of Nebo Baptist Church.

When Dale Dove and Jim Thompson merged their firms to create Thompson Dove Law Group in September 2020, Paula transitioned to the new team. She enjoys her work with the Thompson Dove team and the opportunities it gives her to make a positive difference with children and families.