Afton Usry Papesh

Director of Operations | Chief People Officer

 

Afton Usry Papesh brings energy, clarity, and heart to her role as Director of Operations at Lewellen Family Law Group. With more than a decade of leadership experience across HR, finance, and business operations, she ensures the Firm runs smoothly behind the scenes—so the team can stay focused on what matters most: supporting clients through life’s most challenging moments.

At Lewellen Family Law Group, Afton leads the firm’s internal operations with a focus on efficiency, support, and team empowerment. From payroll and benefits to vendor partnerships, financial workflows, and internal systems, she keeps every moving part running smoothly. Her goal is to create an environment where attorneys, paralegals, and staff are fully supported—equipped with the tools and structure they need to do their best work for clients.

Whether she’s navigating California employment laws, optimizing workflows, or strengthening team culture, Afton leads with a strategic mindset and a people-first approach. She’s passionate about building inclusive, high-functioning environments where collaboration and efficiency go hand in hand.

Before joining the legal world, Afton spent her career helping startups and service-based businesses scale smartly and sustainably. She’s built HR departments from the ground up, streamlined financial operations, and led initiatives that support long-term growth and accountability.

Afton holds double Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration (with an emphasis in Small Business and Start-Ups) and Marketing from California State University, Chico. She also completed minors in Human Resources and Accounting, further strengthening her ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive operational success.

Collaborative by nature and energized by a good challenge, Afton is proud to be part of a team that values excellence, compassion, and connection—in everything they do.