Introducing Lauren Olson
Courtesy Leu & Peirce, PLLC
Leu & Peirce is pleased to announce our new partner, Lauren Olson. Lauren began practicing Elder Law with Leu & Peirce in 2013. We asked Lauren some questions to help you get to know her.
Q: Where are you from? I was born in Austin, but grew up in Plano. I graduated from Ursuline Academy of Dallas. My parents still live in Plano.
Q: Where did you go to school? I received a B.A. in Communications with a minor in English from St. Louis University. I played collegiate soccer throughout my undergraduate studies. After college, I participated in a “volunteer year” sponsored by Americorp through the Marianist Order of the Catholic Church. I lived in a group home with five volunteers and worked at the Arc of Missouri helping adults with developmental disabilities. I then moved back to Texas to attend law school at SMU.
Q: Did you always want to be a lawyer? No, I always wanted to be a journalist. It was not until late in college, during a journalism assignment, that I began considering law. As a part of that assignment, I profiled a law professor who handled legal aid and poverty law. I realized then that instead of writing about helping people, I could make a profession of providing that help.
Q: What made you choose Elder Law? When I started law school, I wanted to practice public interest law. It was not until my mother saw Lori Leu featured in LIVING WELL Magazine that I discovered Elder Law. After reading about Lori’s mission and passion for helping people, I knew this was what I was meant to do. I took the article to my career service counselor at SMU and, as fate would have it, she had a connection with Erin Peirce and Lori Leu and introduced me to them. The rest is history!
Q: What do you like the most about being an Elder Law attorney? I like having the chance to help seniors who are often marginalized in society, as well as their families. We often advise adult children on how to protect their parents and ease the family through the aging process. Although I never saw myself as a litigator, I enjoy the litigation aspect of our practice. If done with the right goal in mind, going to court and fighting for families is really about peacemaking and bringing families together.
Q: Is there a moment that stands out for you as an Elder Law attorney? I will never forget one case in which we represented a son seeking guardianship over his mother as part of a heated family battle. Despite months of fighting amongst his seven siblings, on the morning of trial, the whole family gathered in the back of the courtroom, held hands, and said a prayer together for the health and safety of their mother. Although the prayer of the feuding siblings caught me off guard, I will never forget how our hard work resulted in bringing the family together to reframe their differences into the lens of their mother’s best interest. Amidst the many long days of working with understandably stressed and emotional clients, that moment reminds me of why I became an Elder Law attorney––to protect seniors and bring peace and resolution to families tying to care for their loved ones.
Q: Beyond representing your clients, what do you enjoy the most about your practice? I love giving speeches and have a passion to educate the community on Elder Law issues. In the future, I hope to start more legal aid clinics at churches. Elder Law issues affect everyone, no matter how educated, rich, or poor.
Q: What do you like to do for fun? I like to stay active. I run, bike, and play soccer and tennis. I love to be outside and spend time with family and friends.
Q: For what are you most grateful? My faith has been a constant in my life. It has played a significant role in my education, my profession, and in who I am. I am also grateful for Lori Leu and Erin Peirce taking a chance on me when I first began my law career. I have been fortunate to have worked at Leu & Peirce since law school, and am excited to now be a partner in their endeavor to help seniors and their families.