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A Tale of Resilience, Reinvention, and Real Estate Law Hello, I’m Leah, and I’m a recent hire at Gibson specializing in real estate and business law. My path to becoming an attorney was far from linear and more like the culmination of many life experiences, including detours and bumps in the road. FROM ASPIRING DOCTOR TO ATTORNEY DECEMBER 2023 GIBSONLAWGROUP.COM (817) 769-4044 DIVING DOWN WITH GLG maybe you should go to law school.” It was a light bulb moment. I thought to myself, “Why not explore law?” But instead of diving right in, I took a more cautious approach.
I enrolled in a paralegal program and earned my paralegal certificate. This was my way of “testing the waters” to see if a career in law was right for me. I landed a job at a general litigation firm where I was exposed to different areas of law — personal injury, probate, family law, and more. The experience was eye-opening, and it confirmed what I had begun to suspect — I loved law. During this time, I decided to go to law school. I attended evening classes while balancing a full-time job at a bankruptcy law firm. It was challenging but fulfilling. I discovered a keen interest in business and real estate law throughout law school. These subjects resonated, and I knew I had found my niche. Upon graduation, I began looking for opportunities that aligned with my interests. A friend who had attended the same law school told me about a firm that was hiring. After interviewing, I got the job and have been here since June. I get to focus on real estate and business law. In particular, we mainly represent property owners, advising them on everything from property purchases to drafting contracts and even foreclosure procedures if needed. We also handle various business law issues, from forming LLCs to litigation. My love of real estate runs in the family. My mom is the COO of a company that manages and invests in multi-family apartment complexes. Growing up watching her work made a deep impression on me. Outside of work, my life revolves around my 11-year-old son, Jayce. Watching him play baseball is one of the greatest joys in my life. We also have a dog named Rocky, whom my son adores. As for hobbies, I love playing volleyball — a sport I competed in during college. My son and I are both very competitive, especially in board games. I also make time to give back. Every week, I serve as a mentor at my law school, helping students understand the realities of a legal career. It’s a role I relish, as it allows me to guide future lawyers and keeps me connected to my alma mater. I may not have set out to be a lawyer, but the circuitous paths are sometimes the most rewarding. From aspiring doctor to cancer survivor to paralegal and then attorney, each experience has shaped me. Ultimately, all the detours led me to a career I love and a fulfilling life. That’s what truly matters. –Leah Duncan
My journey began with an aspiration to become a doctor. Life, however, had other plans.
Initially, I was determined to go to medical school. But as I started college, I felt disconnected from that career path. As I was trying to navigate this uncertainty, I was diagnosed with cancer. This diagnosis was more than a detour — it was a roadblock. Fortunately, I emerged with renewed energy but no clear career direction. One day, as I sat contemplating my future, I remembered something my father had once said to me as a little girl: “You’re good at arguing;
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Keep Your Vehicle Safe and Secure During the Holidays Outsmart Car Thieves:
Hide valuables. Thieves are more likely to target a vehicle if they can see something of value inside. Before leaving your car, stow away shopping bags, electronics, purses, and other tempting items in the trunk or out of sight. Even loose change or charging cables can attract unwanted attention. Use your garage. A locked garage provides an added layer of security for your vehicle. Ensure the garage doors are in good working order and equipped with strong locks. Get to know your car’s security features. Modern vehicles have lots of security features, such as secondary car alarms, kill switches, and tracking systems, so learn how to activate them. Before leaving your car unattended, ensure your car’s security system is active and all doors and windows are properly secured. Invest in a steering wheel lock. Steering wheel locks, also known as “club” locks, are classic anti- theft tools. They make it much more challenging for criminals to drive away with your vehicle by not allowing your steering wheel to be turned. While that may seem old-fashioned, they still get the job done! Be alert after parking. In parking lots and garages, when walking away from your vehicle, scan the area for anyone loitering. Criminals tend to be on the lookout for individuals who are not paying attention to their surroundings. If you notice anything that doesn’t look or feel right, move your vehicle to a safer location. Don’t leave your car running unattended. During winter months, it’s tempting to warm up your car while you wait inside. However, leaving your vehicle running on its own is an open invitation to thieves. Always stay with your car when it’s running or invest in a remote starter that allows you to start your car without a key. Keep in mind that prevention is essential for a worry-free and secure holiday season! Don’t become another statistic — protect your vehicle from criminals and ward off theft by keeping these simple tips in mind.
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and giving, but unfortunately, it’s also a time for car thefts and break-ins. In fact, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day have the highest reports of vehicle theft. During the holiday season, thieves know that vehicles may be packed with valuable gifts and see your car as an opportunity to get rich. To keep your car and belongings safe this season, here are nine precautions you can take. Park wisely. Choosing where and how you park your car can make a significant difference in its safety. Dim and isolated areas are more inviting to thieves, so when possible, opt for well-lit and busy areas to increase the chances of bystanders spotting a potential burglar. When parking in a lot or garage, consider proximity to your destination as well as security cameras and personnel. Lock it up. It may sound obvious, but many car thefts occur because owners forget to lock their vehicles. Always double-check that your car is securely locked, and don’t rely solely on remote key fobs. Criminals can use technology to intercept these signals — instead, use traditional key locks if your car has them.
Be smart with the spare key. According to the NICB, 69,351 vehicle thefts took place in the U.S. in 2016 because drivers left their spare keys or fob in the car. Leaving your keys in your car just makes vehicle theft easier, so keep your spares safe at home or in your pocket.
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TAKE A BREAK
Holiday celebrations are some of the most exciting moments for kids, be it trick-or-treating or tearing open Christmas presents. But properly celebrating New Year’s Eve may be a struggle for the little ones. If you’ve let your kids try to stay up until midnight in previous years, you may have experienced sleepiness, tantrums, and cranky mornings the next day, which isn’t the best way to start the new year. Well, this time around, you can be better prepared! Thanks to countless clever parents sharing their tips and tricks, we’ve compiled the most genius hacks that will make this New Year’s Eve not just kid-friendly but actually fun! A little secret won’t hurt ’em. Have you tried a faux countdown? You can save yourself the headache entirely by implementing a little white lie. Changing all the clocks forward isn’t exactly new, but now, with the help of streaming services and YouTube, you can make a bulletproof fake countdown. At your preferred bedtime, play last year’s New Year’s Eve countdown on the TV. Amp up the celebrations with a rowdy countdown, cheering, and glasses of sparkling apple cider! Then, bring the festivities to an end and get your kids ready for bed. It’s as easy as that! If they do stay up, make it fun! Of course, if you would rather stay up with your children, feel bad lying, or don’t think you could pull the wool over their eyes, then here are some creative ways to keep them entertained until midnight without a meltdown. • Number colorful balloons and let your children pop one every 30 minutes or hour. You can even fill the final balloon with confetti to celebrate New Year’s Day! • Have everyone dress up fancy to make Smart Strategies for a Kid- Friendly New Year’s Eve Party Make It to the Countdown Without a Meltdown
SKILLET CHICKEN POT PIE
Inspired by TheModernProper.com
Ingredients
• 1 tsp garlic powder • 1 cup milk • 2 cups chicken stock • 2 cups peas • 4 cups cooked chicken • 1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed • 1 egg
• 1/2 cup butter • 1 cup chopped onion • 1 cup sliced celery • 2 cups sliced carrots • 1/2 cup flour • 1 tsp salt • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1/2 tsp celery seed
your at-home party feel more like a New York celebration.
• Create a bucket list
together for everything you want to do in 2024.
• Get outside and play with sparklers! • Every hour, turn off the
Directions 1. Heat oven to 425 F. 2. In 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat, melt butter, then add onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes. 3. Add flour, salt, pepper, celery seed, and garlic powder to pan and stir. Sauté for 2 minutes. Slowly incorporate milk. 4. Add stock and bring to a simmer, whisking until mixture thickens. Add peas and chicken. 5. Roll out pastry sheet into 16-inch square on floured surface. Cut into 3-inch squares and place overlapping onto chicken mixture. 6. In a small bowl, whisk egg with 1 tbsp water. Brush egg over pastry and place in oven for 25 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
lights, play a song, and crack some glow sticks for a dance party! • Make fun and easy party appetizers together. • Look through old photos and videos of the past year together.
When you plan ahead, you can ensure your kids have enough activities to make it to midnight without any hassle. Of course, the fake countdown is always an option, too!
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Meet Leah, Our Newest Star Attorney
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9 Essential Car Security Tips for the Holidays
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Skillet Chicken Pot Pie
Genius Hacks to Celebrating New Year’s Eve With Kids
Michael Oher’s Fight for Justice in ‘The Blind Side’ Controversy
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The Tuohy Family vs. Michael Oher:
A Legal Showdown
in the claim that they led him to believe he was signing adoption papers when, in reality, they were for a conservatorship. This legal arrangement gave the Tuohys significant control over Oher’s life, his story, and the substantial financial gains resulting from it. Oher asserts he did not receive what he was rightfully owed. Oher’s lawsuit is not only about financial matters but also the emotional stress that came with recently learning he was not legally a member of the Tuohy family, which he had believed for years. Furthermore, the case brings into question the safeguards for young individuals who may enter into legal agreements without a complete understanding of their implications. Seeing how this blockbuster lawsuit shakes out in the coming months and what the verdict means for other young people in similar situations will be interesting.
The story of how Michael Oher went from a young homeless boy to an NFL star captured the hearts of many and inspired the critically acclaimed 2009 film “The Blind Side.” However, behind the heartwarming tale lies a complex legal battle between Michael Oher and the Tuohy family, who adopted him during his teenage years. Oher alleges that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy misled him into accepting a conservatorship instead of adoption and that he never received fair compensation for his portrayal in the movie. In his petition filed in a Tennessee court, Oher seeks to end the Tuohy family’s conservatorship over him and requests a full accounting of any funds he should have received. In response to the petition, the Tuohys expressed their heartbreak over the situation while accusing Oher of demanding $15 million and threatening negative press coverage if they didn’t comply.
Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy claim they have always been upfront with Oher about the conservatorship and that they have split all profits from “The Blind Side” equally with Oher. Still, the heart of Oher’s lawsuit lies
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