ADAP Staff
Shannon M. Shelley-Tremblay, Executive Director
Shannon M. Shelley-Tremblay, JD, joined ADAP in late 2024 after an extensive career in nonprofit management, legal services, and higher education leadership. Prior to taking this role, she served as Executive Director of the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program, founded the Office of Community Engagement at the University of South Alabama, and managed programs at the University of South Alabama’s Center for Healthy Communities, including Youth Violence Prevention. As a lifelong advocate for civil rights, poverty alleviation, and access to justice she is passionately committed to building strong relationships that bring communities and organizations together to make positive change for the people of Alabama.
Shannon earned her JD from Rutgers Law School in 2002 after a career as a middle and high school teacher. She is grateful to her husband of over 30 years, Jack, her sons—Sean, Alex, and Gabe—and her extended family, friends, and colleagues for their support.
Angie Allen, Senior Case Advocate
Angie joined ADAP in 1999, where she began assisting with the Wyatt case by speaking with clients, gathering information, and providing case advocacy. She also worked on ADAP’s children’s team. Today, she serves as the intake specialist for the Community Access Team, providing case advocacy on a wide range of issues.
Angie’s passion for disability advocacy began after she sustained a spinal cord injury in an auto-cycling accident in Wyoming. This experience led her to pursue a career in social work. She earned her Bachelor of Social Work, with Honors, from the University of Wyoming and her Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma.
Angie is married and has two cats. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, participating in sporting activities, staying active in her church, spending time outdoors, and baking. She also enjoys creating habitats in her yard to support bees and butterflies.
Cecilia Ballinger, Equal Justice Works Law Fellow
Sponsored by Faber Daeufer & Itrato PC
Cecilia began working with ADAP as a clerk while in law school. During that time, she worked primarily on special education issues but also developed a passion for medical advocacy. Inspired by this work, she wrote and received funding for a two-year Equal Justice Works Fellowship focusing on the needs of children with medical complexities across the state.
Cecilia graduated from law school in May of 2024 and is in her first year of her fellowship at ADAP. Cecilia received undergraduate degrees in philosophy and sociology from UAB and has always been passionate about removing barriers and inequalities in our education system. She is excited to continue her legal advocacy work with ADAP and to continue serving the medically complex community through her fellowship work.
Tammy Blue, Case Advocate
Tammy joined ADAP in January 2025 after three years as a case manager for Jefferson County Alabama’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. She is a published historian with focus on racial violence and equity, and has presented her research at the Alabama Historical Association (AHA), Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA), and Graduate Association for African American History conferences.
Tammy earned her M.A. in History and B.A. in English/Professional Writing from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has also spent several years as a writer and editor for several organizations contributing to their website ADA compliancy. As a person with a hearing impairment, she is a lifelong advocate. Tammy is passionate about ADAP’s mission because she understands the barriers that people with disabilities face every day. She loves to travel and rescue cats!
Trace Booth, Case Advocate
Trace joined ADAP as a case advocate in 2025. He previously served as a Court Referral Officer with Tuscaloosa County Alternative Sentencing Office for 3 years. He graduated from the University of Alabama, Cum Laude in 2022 in Social Work. He has worked as a parental supervisor conducting supervised visitations for parents looking to strengthen their relationships with their children and regain custody rights.
Trace has always had a passion for working with the public and building relationships with clients and co-workers. He spends his spare time caring for his two dogs and kayaking on Alabama rivers.
Larry Canada, Senior Trial Counsel/Legal Director
Larry, “LC” to his friends, joined ADAP in 2019 after retiring from a large regional litigation firm as a senior partner. LC has significant experience in handling large complex litigation involving a wide range of subject matters, including toxic torts, commercial and contractual disputes, insurance coverage, construction defects, professional malpractice, the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (on which he has written and lectured). LC earned his B.S. (chemistry, 1978), J.D. (1986), and LL.M. (2019, summa cum laude) from The University of Alabama. He is licensed to practice law in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, as well as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal and the United States Supreme Court.
LC is “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubbell and was named a Super Lawyer (2012, 2014-2018) and included in the publication The Best Lawyers in America from 2012-2026. He is an Assistant Bar Examiner for the Louisiana Supreme Court. LC is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Alabama School of Law where he previously taught Pre-Trial and Trial Practice and currently coaches student mock trial competition teams.
LC is a seven time cancer survivor and knows firsthand how people with disabilities are contributing and beneficial members of society. Seeing how others with disabilities are mistreated and discriminated against, drives LC’s passion to advocate for and protect the rights of the disabled within the state of Alabama.
LC’s favorite hobbies are cross country obstacle course races, competition BBQ (having won numerous awards), Judo (4th degree black belt) and time spent with friends and family.
Ashley Creamer, Senior Case Advocate
Ashley graduated University of Alabama at Birmingham, Cum Laude in 2005 in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a minor in Criminal Justice. She began her career as a 310 case manager, moved into early intervention, and came back to working with adults with developmental disabilities.
She has worked more than 16 years and it is her passion. Ashley also enjoys spending time with family, working in the yard and watching her niece and nephew in the sports and activities that they participate in.
Shantorraya Dudley, Administrative Assistant
Shan came to ADAP in 2023. Shan previously worked at a pharmacy as a technician. She has worked in the health field for over five years and has always seen herself helping others in whatever career aspect she went with. She has a daughter that keeps her pretty busy. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, reading, and DIYing.
Barbara Lawrence, Senior Staff Attorney
Barbara joined ADAP in 1997 and, for many years, represented children with disabilities in foster care, dependency, juvenile justice, special education and mental health matters. Currently, Barbara conducts and coordinates the agency’s representative payee reviews. Barbara graduated from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1992. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from UA. Prior to coming to ADAP, Barbara practiced in the areas of family law, dependency, child custody, domestic violence, housing, Social Security, as well as other general civil matters.
Andrea Mixson, Senior Staff Attorney
Andrea has been employed with ADAP as a staff attorney since 2005. Andrea is engaged in a variety of individual and systemic advocacy efforts related to children with disabilities including special education, juvenile justice, mental health, and child welfare. She is a graduate of the Cumberland School of Law and holds a Masters of Education degree from Auburn University.
Kimberley Myers, Senior Case Advocate
Kimberley joined ADAP in 2024. As part of the ADAP team, Kim conducts SSA Representative Payee Reviews. Prior to joining ADAP, Kim had many advocacy roles, including serving elders in long term care settings and adults with Developmental Disabilities within the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Through her work at the Mississippi Department of Mental Health, she served in positions such as QIDP, Director of Quality Services and Director of Interdisciplinary Programs. Kim graduated with her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She enjoys music, sports (spectator and participation), movies, volunteer opportunities and traveling.
Christina Norris, Senior Case Advocate
Christina re-joined ADAP as a Senior Case Advocate in 2017, after having left the agency to move out of state with her family. She received her undergraduate degree in social work from The University of Alabama and has served as an advocate to children, families and the elderly in several capacities throughout the state of Alabama. Her primary focus with ADAP is advocacy related to special education.
Porsharee Ray, Senior Case Advocate
As part of the ADAP team, Porsharee conducts SSA Representative Payee Reviews. Porsharee earned her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Alabama A&M University and her master’s degree in Secondary Education from the University of Phoenix. Prior to joining ADAP Porsharee worked for Social Security Administration over 6 years, and she has worked in a range of positions serving various community populations. Porsharee enjoys singing and spending time with her family and her niece and nephews.
Jenny Ryan, Senior Staff Attorney
Jenny, a native of Hale County, received her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate from The University of Alabama. She previously served as a law clerk for former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb while Judge Cobb was on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals. She also spent a year as a law clerk for the magistrate judges of the US District Court, Middle District of Alabama. She was in private practice for a number of years with a focus on juvenile justice, family law, and appeals before joining ADAP in 2013. She leads ADAP’s Children’s Advocacy Team and specializes in special education law. She also serves as the director of the Children’s Rights Clinic at The University of Alabama School of Law. Jenny enjoys being active in the community and is involved with both Tuscaloosa Children’s Theatre and Theatre Tuscaloosa where she has served in various executive positions on the boards.
J. Carlton Sims, Jr., Staff Attorney
J. Carlton Sims, Jr. joined ADAP in 2023. An experienced attorney from Montgomery, Alabama, with extensive expertise in litigation, Carlton has focused on civil rights, statutory, and constitutional law. His practice areas have included Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and First Amendment matters.
Carlton has represented clients in state and federal courts, as well as before administrative bodies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Carlton earned his B.A. (economics, 1985) from the University of the South; MBA (2006) from the University of Alabama; J.D. (2011) and LL.M. (2016) from Faulkner University. Carlton served as Editor-in-Chief of the Faulkner Law Review. Carlton holds a Graduate Certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University.
Carlton is licensed in Alabama and California (inactive) and is a member of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
Bill Van Der Pol, Senior Trial Counsel
Bill holds a B.S. from Indiana University–Bloomington (1981) and a J.D. from Indiana University–Indianapolis (1984). Prior to joining ADAP in 2013, he practiced for 29 years in Indiana, primarily in the areas of mental health law and criminal defense. He provided defense services for over 5,000 individuals, up to and including lead capital defense responsibilities.
At ADAP, his area of primary responsibility is in advocating for, and protecting the interests of, individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities in institutions and community settings.
He is currently ADAP’s lead counsel in the agency’s on-going lawsuit on behalf of prisoners in the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Nicole Watkins, Senior Voting Rights Advocate and Outreach Coordinator
Nicole “Nicky” Watkins joined ADAP in 2022, and their work is focused on voter education, voting rights, voting law in Alabama, voting with a disability, and outreach and communications.
Nicky was born with spina bifida and has been a lifelong disability advocate. They have a B.A. (2012) and an M.A. (2014) in history from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). They taught history at UAB and Lawson State Community College after graduating with honors and has had their work in political and social history featured in several publications. In 2018, Nicky shifted to a position as a professional advocate, first at Planned Parenthood Southeast, and later as a peer advocate in a Center for Independent Living.
Nicky has a dark and cynical sense of humor, but they remain hopeful and focused on justice and liberation for the disability community. When they are not working, Nicky likes to read and write, enjoy quality time with their wife and their shared loves of Dungeons & Dragons, video games, and advocacy work. They spend most of their time enjoying the absolute chaos of their three rescue dogs.
Molly White, Accounting Specialist
Molly joined ADAP in 2020 as the Children Advocacy Team’s legal assistant and in 2022 became the Accounting Specialist. She attended Shelton State Community College where she obtained Associate Degrees in Office Administration and Accounting.
Before coming to ADAP, Molly worked in Continuing Education at The University of Alabama as a registrar and worked in several medical practices in the community. Molly enjoys spending time with her family, thrifting, antiquing and crafting in her spare time.
Lonnie Williams, Staff Attorney
Lonnie has been with ADAP since 2005 and works on the agency’s Community Access Team. Lonnie has an undergraduate degree in criminal justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a law degree from Birmingham School of Law.
Lonnie provides services in several different issue areas, such as community integration, appropriate treatment and placement, rights in guardianship/conservatorship matters, alternatives to guardianship/conservatorship, Medicaid waiver service rights, ADA/504 rights, and fair housing rights.
Lonnie’s wife is a schoolteacher and they have four adult sons and two grandsons. Neurodiversity among those family members is the basis for Lonnie’s interest in disability rights. Lonnie likes spending time with family and spending time outdoors.
Santita Word, Representative Payee Program Coordinator and Senior Case Advocate
As part of the ADAP team Santita conducts SSA Representative Payee Reviews. Santita earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Mississippi State University and her master’s degree in Criminal Justice from The University of Alabama.
Prior to joining ADAP Santita worked in a range of positions servicing diverse populations. Santita is married with two daughters. She enjoys DIY, crafting and couponing.
Law Clerks
Bradley Frank
Bradley Frank, who goes by “Brad,” joins our firm as a rising 2L at the University of Alabama School of Law. Prior to starting law school, Brad worked as a paralegal for the Office of the Attorney General of Georgia and Jarrard & Davis, LLP, a private Georgia firm providing an array of legal services for municipal and county-level governments.
Brad recently proposed to his partner, Isidora, while the two were traveling in Croatia. In his free time, he enjoys playing bass guitar, making lattes, and watching Formula 1.
Brelyn Crutchfield
Brelyn Crutchfield is from Mobile, Alabama. Before moving to Tuscaloosa for law school, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi for Audio Engineering. After graduation, Brelyn took a gap year to work and travel filled with amazing opportunities to explore new places and have new experiences. She is excited to be working with ADAP and learning more about advocacy and the legal profession.
Outside of school and work, Brelyn enjoys painting, baking, and spending time with her dog, Wazowski, and her cat, Ruby.
Maria Pallante
Maria is from Cleveland, Ohio. She is a rising 3L, and after law school, hopes to become a disability benefits attorney for people who can no longer work. Before law school, Maria received her MA in American Studies and she hopes to become a professor one day.
Maria has three dogs: two Great Danes and an English Mastiff.