Attorney Biographies

“It’s All We Do”

Susan Chitwood Barton is a graduate of Indiana University School of Law. Prior to and after graduation in 1981, Susan worked for Legal Services Organization in Bloomington, IN. During her time as a paralegal, she began her career as an advocate for Social Security Disability clients. Susan later worked in Transylvania County handling Social Security, Workers Compensation and personal injury cases.

Susan worked with Ganly, Ramer and Strom before starting her own practice in April, 2003. She and Holly formed Chitwood & Fairbairn in June, 2006.

Susan is a sustaining member of NOSSCR (National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives). She is also a member of the NC Bar Association, NCATL (Disability Advocacy Section) and is admitted to practice in the Western District of NC’s federal court. She is an honorary board member of Project Access, a medical assistance program.

Susan is a cofounder of Noah’s Ark, Inc. and is an active member of Asheville’s Animal Compassion Network. She also likes plants and trees and speaks Spanish rather well. She knows nothing about elevators but does have recurrent elevator dreams.

Holly Fairbairn received her BA in Economics and Religious Studies from Guilford College in 1989. She worked as an outdoor guide for five years, spending many winter months doing community service projects before entering law school in 1994.

She graduated with honors from the NCCU School of Law in 1997. She worked at Pisgah Legal Services for six years and then joined the firm of Ganly, Ramer and Strom, later the Law Office of Cynthia Strom. In 2006, she and Susan formed Chitwood & Fairbairn, P.A.

Holly has written extensively and given presentations to her attorney peers on Ethics, Social Security, Medicaid, and other government benefits programs. She is an active member of various bar associations and organizations committed to assisting disabled people, including NOSSCR and NCATL. She practices in federal court, and accepts referrals from other attorneys for representation of their clients or for brief-writing.

We are pleased to announce that Holly Fairbairn has recently been certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law. She is the only specialist to have taken and passed the exam West of Morganton. She is the only specialist in WNC whose practice is devoted to Social Security Disability Law. The process of specialization involved peer recommendation, many hours of continuing legal education, and of course, all-day exam. Holly is widely regarded as an expert in this area and is also happy to come to your support group or gathering to share her expertise at no charge.

Follow the link to the NC Bar Specialists web page:

http://www.nclawspecialists.gov/