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Jaha Thomas
Jaha Thomas is an Associate Attorney at the Brandy Austin Law Firm.
Jaha (pronounced jay-ya) grew up in the Arlington area. She had a very joyous upbringing and very close-knit family with strong connection with her grandparents. Jaha learned from an early age that education is the great equalizer, so she worked hard to become a life-long learner and took advantage of every opportunity that came her way. Her family has always been tremendously supportive of everything she wanted to do, no matter how unattainable it may have seemed. She vividly remembers when she was 5 years old, telling her grandfather that she wanted to be a ballet dancing surgeon, to which he replied, “Well, let’s get started! We’ve got goals!” This can-do attitude molded her into a person that works for results and never ever gives up, regardless of what people said or did to deter her.
After graduating from Bowie High School, she attended Texas Christian University where she was a pre-med major. After working as a CNA (certified nursing assistant) in various nursing homes, she determined the medical field was not her calling. After receiving her Bachelor’s in Science, she set out to travel the world. Not long after graduation, she moved to Costa Rica where she worked as an English teacher, danced with a Salsa dance company and took Spanish classes. After a year of living the “Pura Vida” (pure life), Jaha decided to move to Queens, New York to experience the big apple. In New York, Jaha continued dancing for fun and she also taught English to adults. She really enjoyed teaching English because her class of thirty students were from 20 different countries. This was a very positive experience, as Jaha witnessed people from all corners of the earth work together and create a unique supportive learning community. This sparked a desire in her to meet and learn from different people of different cultures. From that point on, Jaha traveled to as many countries as she could. She would take out a map, close her eyes and book a ticket for the next unknown adventure.
After a while, the hustle and bustle of New York and homesickness began to wear on her, and she decided to move back to Texas to be near her family. At this point, she realized that teaching came naturally, so Jaha pursued teaching and became certified in elementary bilingual education. She taught bilingual Kindergarten, 3rd grade and first grade. While teaching, Jaha obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Texas in Arlington in Modern Languages with an emphasis in Linguistics. While studying at UTA, Jaha and two other graduate students had the remarkable opportunity to go to San Andres Chicahuaxtla in Oaxaca, Mexico to study the endangered language Triqui. This is one of Jaha’s fondest memories as she felt incredibly fortunate to visit the village, as the habitants were apprehensive of visitors, due to unpleasant interactions in the past, however the people were so welcoming and eager to share their culture, customs and language.
During a 10-year career in bilingual education, Jaha took advantage of the teacher’s schedule and traveled to 43 different countries. Her travels cultivated an appreciation and respect for all people and their differences. Many people would ask her why she was always traveling and was she afraid of what may happen. Jaha always responded in the same manner “carpe diem”, you only live once, cherish the time and opportunities you have now because life can change at any moment and regret is the nemesis. Jaha traveled to many countries alone, but she traveled responsibility with a well-planned agenda and has gained life-long friendships from her travels. Due her extensive travel, she is now fluent in Spanish and also proficient in Brazilian Portuguese and French.
Jaha always had a conviction and zeal for social advocacy, equality and equity. Teaching allowed her to help her students and their families by creating relationships, giving guidance and advice to improve their educational experience. Working with mostly immigrant families who struggled and feared the law, she knew that it was time to do more, so she left education to pursue law. Her reasoning was due to her desire to guide others through the happiest and most challenging moments in life and she also has a devotion to community outreach. Jaha has always been attracted to family law because family is the most precious and valuable asset to most, including herself. She loves the wide umbrella of family law that embodies a person’s entire life. This essentially means that an attorney can represent and advocate for a family for a lifetime.
In the spirit of “go big or go home”, Jaha rented her house to a rental company, packed a U-Haul with her life and moved to Lansing, Michigan for law school at Western Michigan University. While in law school some of her accolades included: Mock Trial Competition Winning duo, Moot Court Competition Finalist and “Top Advocate”, Client Counseling Finalist and being on the Dean’s List for several terms. She also wrote for the Journal of Practical and Clinical Law as an Associate Editor. In addition, she worked for the Sixty Plus, Elder Law Clinic where she advocated for indigent clients in various topics ranging from: landlord tenant issues, civil rights, divorce, guardianship, preparation of wills, powers of attorney, medical health directives, public benefit issues including social security, Medicare, and Medicaid planning.
While in law school, Jaha met and married her husband. After she graduated with her Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University, she and her husband moved back to Arlington. After taking a break to start a family, Jaha became a licensed attorney and began to search for her legal career home.
For Jaha, good health is one of the most important assets a person can have. She works out consistently for a healthy outlet. She enjoys running 5ks, boxing, kickboxing, Muy Thai, and dancing. Her personal goal is to compete in a fitness competition, in the next year. For relaxation she enjoys watching extremely unrealistic shark based sci-fi movies. Work life balance is extremely important to Jaha, as she wants to give the same enthusiasm and excellence to her career as she does her family.
Jaha’s personal mantra is “Let’s make it happen, if I don’t know how, we’ll figure it out”; Integrity or the lack thereof tells a lot about a person. I don’t what the world to be a better place just for me, my family, like thinkers or people that look like me, but I want the world to be a better place for every single person.
Brandy M. Austin
Brandy M. Austin
Managing Attorney
As founder and managing attorney of Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC, Brandy Austin has worked hard to build an innovative law firm that caters to the legal needs of each client, provides professional growth opportunities for each team member, and gives back to the community. She strives to create a diverse team of legal professionals that provides innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective legal services to the everyday person and small business. Brandy frequently represents the underdog against big businesses and insurance companies. She also represents small businesses and business owners who are taken advantage of or who often give more than they receive. As a business owner herself, she shares a special connection and understanding with small business owners and their families.
Brandy Austin manages all the business, financial, marketing, and administrative aspects of the firm. She also supervises client accounts and each department’s case assignments and assists in more complex matters. Committed to the success of happy employees and a positive work-life balance, Brandy has created an inclusive team culture that celebrates individuality and promotes diversity.
Brandy Austin focuses her personal legal practice on multiple types of litigation, including personal injury, business disputes, probate, and contested family law. Brandy has tried multiple cases to verdict and is the lead member of the firm trial team.
Educated clients is one of the founding principles of the firm. Brandy Austin strives to simplify the legal process, automate the routine office tasks, and streamline the typical case process. One way Brandy educates her clients is by hosting a weekly Facebook and YouTube Live show – Disclosure: Live with Brandy Austin Law. Each episode is dedicated to a legal topic or question that may be in the news or that may be a frequent question or topic presented by clients. The show generally begins with a fun segment and local news headline segment before diving into the topic of the week. The show focuses on educating people on Texas law and the rights of its citizens, and even those who are not citizens.
Brandy is involved in the community and instills this principle into the firm culture. Each department and all members of the firm have the opportunity and are encouraged to become active members of the local community, as well as non-profit organizations that directly support the local community.
Born and raised in the small-town Salisbury, North Carolina, Brandy Austin is the first college graduate of her family. Neither of her parents graduated from college and she defied the odds to attain a high level of education. Following law school, she worked on medical malpractice and medical device cases, initially, on behalf of insurance companies. Soon after, Brandy transitioned to representing insured drivers of a non-standard insurance company. This position lacked the client interaction Brandy needed. She also married and became a mom during this time. Work-life balance become the highest priority after having her first child.
Realizing the need for a firm that creates, even encourages, a family-friendly environment, along with a place legal professionals could find value in the day to day work within the field of law, Brandy Austin started her own firm May of 2013. She worked only part-time in the beginning and only had a total initial investment of $300, which was the firm’s business registration fee with the state of Texas. The first year, with only a small number of clients, Brandy continually reinvested in herself and the firm to help it grow. The next few years were a building period. As with most businesses, some decisions were effective and helpful, some failed miserably. Creating a team of people with a shared vision and excitement for each day is a difficult task. People change, lives change. Brandy has worked diligently to find a group of people committed to providing quality, ethical legal services to a diverse community. The goal of the organization is to share differing views in an environment supportive enough to analyze them in a legal context and apply those ideas with the community and the profession of law.
Her life is a testament to what you can achieve through hard work, perseverance, determination, and resilience. She has an entrepreneurial drive that constantly moves her forward in the face of obstacles.
Notable Accomplishments
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers 2015-2018
- Fort Worth Magazine 2015-2018
- Top 10 Attorney Award Under 40, National Academy Of Personal Injury Attorneys
- AVVO Top Attorney Award
- Top Attorney, Ft. Worth Magazine 2015-2016
- 10 Best Client Satisfaction, American Institute of Legal Counsel
- Fellows of the Texas Bar Foundation
- Associate Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
- Reversal of existing law: Terry Revell v. Morrison Supply Company, LLC, No. 02-15-00195-CV
- Judgment awarded for over $1,000,000 for dog bite injuries
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 2008
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 2013
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 2014
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 2014
Education
Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas
- J.D. – 2008
- Honors: Dean’s List
- Honors: Chair of the Alumni Committee for Phi Alpha Delta
- Honors: Finalist of Naman Howell Smith and Lee Interscholastic Client Counseling Competition
- Honors: Coach of National Client Counseling Team
- Honors: High A; Family Rights Litigation
- Honors: Participant in Strasburger & Price Moot Court Competition
East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina
- B.A. magna cum laude – 2005
- Honors: Dean’s List, Chancellor’s List
- Honors: First Generation College Graduate
- Honors: Recipient of Carlton-Troutman Scholarship for Political Science
- Honors: Attorney General of the East Carolina University Judicial Board
- Honors: Scholar for Council on Legal Education Opportunity
- Honors: Treasurer of Phi Alpha Delta
- Honors: Member of Gamma Beta Phi
- Honors: National Society of Collegiate Scholars
- Honors: Member of East Carolina Honors Organization
- Honors: Chancellor’s List
- Honors: Top 10% of Graduating Class
- Major: English & Political Science
Published Works
- Quarterly Family Law Newsletter, April, 2009
- Cemetery of Roses, Nonfiction, Rebel: 47., 2005
- Uneaten Birthday Cake, Fiction, Rebel: 47., 2005
- At the End of the Dirt Road, Original play performed at Emerge Art Gallery, 2005
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Tarrant County Trial Lawyers, President-Elect
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Trial Law Institute
- Diversity Law Institute
- Arlington Chamber of Commerce
- Professionals Serving Seniors
- Tarrant County Probate Bar Association
- Arlington Bar Association
- BNI, Lake Arlington
Ancillary Businesses
- Mediation
Sylvester Spencer III
Sylvester “Trey” Spencer, III
Sylvester Spencer III, also known as “Trey,” is a legal assistant and attorney liaison at the Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC. As the legal assistant, Trey assists in drafting various case-related documents and directly communicating with the clients and Courts. He is not only responsible for the client’s case progression but also ensuring the attorney’s equipped with all the necessary tools for success. He is responsible for schedule coordinating and inquiry screening but also efficiently managing the client intake process. The attorney liaison is imperative for the law firm’s success. In both positions, the individual needs to possess specific characteristics, such as self-motivation, detail-oriented, and highly organized, while managing high client demand. For Trey, this is indicative of the lifestyle he’s accustomed to from growing up on a ranch.
Trey grew up in Wills Point, a small, quiet town, located about 55 miles east of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. He graduated from Wills Point High School in 2007 in which participated in numerous extracurricular activities. These activities ranged from sports (fall and spring), marching band, student council, and academic societies. Mr. Spencer received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth. Similar to his high school tenure, Trey quickly became engaged in campus organizations, for example, Model Arab League, Mock Model United Nations, Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl, Student Veterans Organization, and Mortar Board Senior National Honor Society. For Trey, you must possess the mindset of capitalizing on the advantages that each organization provides. The organizations not only educate but also exemplify unparalleled practices in critical thinking, international knowledge, leadership activities, and diplomacy. Trey utilized the involvement to expand his global perspective and learn about cultural differences.
In addition to his involvement with academia, Trey spent multiple occasions assisting his aunt, Joyce Ann Brown, with her nonprofit organization, Mothers (Fathers) for the Advancement of Social Systems (MASS, Inc). After serving nearly ten years in prison, his aunt founded the organization after her wrongful conviction. This event sparked not only his initial interest in judicial reform but also the desire for societal unification. The wrongful conviction of his aunt was an unusual obstacle and hardship that his family faced. The particular circumstance does not occur in every family, so first-hand witnessing the improvement of the United States legal system was inspirational.
When Trey isn’t busy with work and preparing for law school, you can find him providing for the agriculture economy. As a third-generation rancher, the Spencer Boyz Ranch in
Wills Point prides itself as an efficient operation. Annually, the Spencer Boyz Ranch manages roughly 80-100 head of cattle and harvest the hay that feeds them throughout the colder months. By doing so, this allows them to save money on purchasing hay from an outside source. They are a family that loves their Ford trucks, Kubota Tractors, and John Deere hay equipment. In other words, if it isn’t broke then don’t fix it. His passions are to continue the ranching operation while advocating for more societal participation in agriculture.
As for his leisure time, Trey enjoys pretty much anything that requires him to be outdoors. When the weather is beautiful, he loves attending country concerts at venues around the state of Texas. Some of his favorite singers, preferably Texas country artists, include Turnpike Troubadours, THE King himself aka George Strait, Wade Bowen, the Randy Rogers Band, and Kasey Musgraves. One thing he loves about being from a small town is the space and quietness away from the big city. In the country, one factor that everyone loathes is the seclusion. For Trey, the isolation allows him to roam the country streets on his horses or ATV’s, but most importantly, it will enable him to spend time with his hometown friends. He also enjoys putting a pole in the water. In the Spencer family, fishing was a way of relaxing and bonding with each other. He still fishes today when given the opportunity, whether it is on a boat with his uncles or on land with his grandmother. During football season, you can find him rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers and cheering for the Oklahoma Sooners (Boomer Sooner!). To him, there isn’t a sport he doesn’t enjoy watching. Wholeheartedly, Trey considers himself as a small-town kid who’s devoted to God, his enormous family, future career, and the agriculture community.
Like many individuals worldwide, the pandemic inspired Trey to find additional activities to help pass the time. Recently, he has channeled his inner-green thumb and became obsessed with plants. The plant’s primary function focuses on assisting with air pollution and helps with allergies. Allergies are a constant battle every year, primarily while residing in an apartment. You cannot have plants and not give them names. As an agriculture member, it is common for them to be extremely personable with creatures, considered their “children.” Trey joined the club and named a few of his first plants. Their names are “RiRi” for Rihanna (Ivy), Black Betty (Majesty Palm Tree), Ole Lucille (Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree), and Adele (Aloe Vera).
In light of his favorite teacher’s passing, he has decided to read more books. A message the teacher always advocated for that “we [humans] need to educate our minds constantly,” and he has been doing just that. He’s currently reading novels, such as Crime and Punishment, Color of Law, and Sense and Sensibility, and relaxing while lounging next to his plants.
A few quotes that exemplify Trey’s outlook on life:
● “There is no greater honor than to sacrifice for a brother (sister). That should encapsulate your mindset on how you operate throughout life.” – As a sports fanatic, this quote from the Sam Houston State University head baseball coach portrays Trey’s mindset when working in a team atmosphere. When there is a strong team dynamic, it can strengthen the weaker areas.
● “Give people their ‘flowers’ while they are still alive and get the chance to enjoy them.” – This quote from his dad illustrates how too often we overlook the magnitude of a small gesture and the impact it can make on someone’s day.
● “One exceptional aspect of being an agriculture member is the fact that we not only provide for our family and friends but also the people who consider you an enemy.” – This quote from his grandpa represents the foundation of Trey’s philosophy on life. Growing up, his grandpa reiterated this quote for just about any scenario, from complaining about stringing a mile worth of barbed wire to missing friend’s birthday celebrations because we had to bale hay before it rained. He’d recount this quote to explain the hatred throughout society despite being born around the “The Red Summer” period in the United States of America. He instilled how even your biggest adversary relies on our agricultural contribution.
● “The grass is not greener on the other side of the fence; it is greener where you most water it.” – To Trey, this quote represents the temptation of comparing and desiring another’s life to yours. Everyone must walk their journey. Once you believe in your mission and who you are and the importance of loving something greater than yourself, you will understand your real purpose.
Bryant Surley-Strong
Bryant Surley-Strong is the Personal Injury Litigation Paralegal at the Brandy Austin Law Firm. As a litigation paralegal, Bryant assists the Personal Injury attorneys with managing cases in litigation. He works closely with clients to help make their lawsuit move forward as smoothly as possible.
Bryant grew up in the DFW metroplex and graduated from Mansfield-Summit High School in 2005. During his senior year of high school, Bryant had the incredible opportunity to attend President George W. Bush’s second inauguration as a part of the National Youth Leadership Institute. This event helped foster his passion for politics and civic engagement. Bryant received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in German from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. At UNT, Bryant quickly became involved with student leadership, becoming a resident assistant at Kerr Hall and chairman of the North Texas College Republicans. As College Republican chairman, Bryant honed his skills as a student leader, participating in numerous televised student debates, campus political demonstrations, and campaign volunteer events. Bryant’s first job after graduating was with the College Republican National Committee. As a field representative for the CRNC, Bryant worked with College Republican chapters at colleges and universities across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to grow their memberships and volunteer in campaigns in the 2010 midterm elections. He is proud of the work he did helping Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and former Governor Tom Corbett (R-PA) win their elections. Bryant then returned home to DFW to work as a campaign representative for local Republican candidates. Two years later, Bryant returned to Pennsylvania to serve as the digital director for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. Working on a presidential campaign was the opportunity of a lifetime, and although Mitt Romney did not win, Bryant is incredibly grateful for the time he spent working during such an important moment in our nation’s history.
Although politics will always remain a personal passion and pastime for Bryant, the life of a traveling campaign consultant had started to lose its appeal. In 2013, Bryant decided to leave Washington, DC and return home to Texas. After leaving politics, Bryant briefly pursued a career as a teacher. He taught 7th grade Texas history and 11th grade SAT English prep at a charter school in south Dallas. Although teaching was an incredibly rewarding experience, he ultimately decided that it was not for him. He entered the legal profession in 2016, working for a boutique family law practice in Dallas. When that firm dissolved, Bryant joined a civil rights firm in Arlington as a legal assistant. It was at this job that he discovered a passion for law Working in civil rights law was deeply rewarding, and Bryant especially enjoyed working with clients to defend their rights.
In 2018, Bryant was thrilled when he received an offer to join the Brandy Austin Law Firm as a personal injury paralegal. New to personal injury law and a passionate lifelong learner, Bryant loved delving into the art of personal injury law. When working in pre-litigation, he loved taking all the disparate facts and figures from complicated cases and carefully crystalizing them into a single, easily understood narrative. Now as the litigation paralegal, Bryant loves working closely with clients to help them navigate the tricky waters of litigation. He is honored to work with such dedicated and exceptional team of attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and attorney liaisons. Joining the litigation side of personal injury has been an exciting and rewarding experience.
Bryant has a passion for Personal Injury. In college, Bryant was once rear ended while waiting at a red light by an uninsured, unlicensed driver. He understands how difficult and
devastating a car accident can be, particularly when you are not at fault. While he is forever thankful that neither he nor his passenger were injured, losing his car hundreds of miles away from home was a disaster. Bryant takes pride in helping others navigate through stressful situations like the one he had to endure years before. He firmly believes that no one should have to suffer because of someone else’s negligence.
In the Fall of 2013, Bryant met the man who would become his husband. After dating for a few months, Bryant knew that if he was going to make a life with his boyfriend, he would have to find a career with the stability that campaigns could not offer. Leaving professional politics was an easy choice when compared to the happiness that he had found with his boyfriend. Two years into their relationship, Bryant planned a trip for the two of them to visit the Grand Canyon. After a long day of hiking, he suggested that they stay at the park until after dark to gaze at the stars, where he then proposed. They married in the summer of 2016 and have been happily together ever since. In March of 2020, they adopted a precious baby girl, and they could not be happier! As a new parent, he cannot thank Brandy Austin and all of his coworkers enough for all the love and support they have shown him and his family.
When not working, Bryant loves spending time with his family and friends, watching movies with his husband, going to the theater, playing video games, cooking, and traveling. Bryant has had the opportunity to travel abroad to countries such as Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, England, and Wales. He and his husband hope to add France, Japan, and Norway to that list soon. Bryant became an Episcopalian in college, and he and his husband are active members of their church. Bryant and his husband also have three cats: Freddy, Jason, and Michael.
Emily Pyle
Emily Pyle
Family Law Paralegal
Emily Pyle was born in Vernon, Texas and was the youngest of four children. Shortly after turning 3, her mother, sister, and she moved into her grandmother’s house in Dallas. When she was five, her mother remarried and relocated the family to Arlington, where she has stayed since then.
Emily played competitive softball throughout her childhood and received scholarships to play in College. When she was only twelve, she was asked to pitch for her older sister’s 16&U select team. Her dream was to play Women’s Pro Fastpitch. However; her dreams changed, and she gave everyone a shock when she joined the US Army as a combat medic. Unfortunately, after only a year and a half in, she received an honorable medical discharge due to a heart condition
Emily’s love of law started at a young age. She was raised in the family law firm setting, with her mother working as a paralegal and also as the Court Coordinator in the 322nd District Court in Tarrant County. Emily spent as much time as she could with her mother, she loved hearing about the cases and learning the court procedures. When she was ten she went to Court with her mother for take your daughter to work day; Judge Harris allowed her to get into his seat before his trial started. Emily enjoyed sitting on the bench so much, she did not want to leave, she decided that was her calling
After graduating from Arlington High School and coming home from the Army, Emily attended college at UNT Dallas, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. During her time there, through her own initiative, she revamped the Pre-Law Society and brought it back to life by increasing membership and bringing attention to the organization, organizing activities and charity work. Emily served as President until graduating on the President’s List in May of 2017. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she was accepted into the JD program at the University of North Texas at Dallas.
Throughout Emily’s last year of undergrad and during her second year of law school, she had the opportunity to intern with the Joyce Ann Brown Innocence Clinic. She was assigned an average of 10 cases a semester. It was here that Emily gained the most insight and had the largest eye opening when she saw first-hand how the justice system could fail someone. One case in particular dragged her in and did not let go for three years. She truly felt this person was wrongly convicted and serving a term for something they did not do. She was consumed with this case and made it her goal to find new evidence. Unfortunately, it was not as she had thought or how she was led to believe it was by the client and was left with a feeling of being jaded and betrayed by her client. However, she now looks at the positives and all the things she was able to take away from the program. She had the chance to meet several amazing people and one exoneree who forever changed her thought process. Since being released this exoneree decided not to sit around mad and angry at the world but to give back, he started a nonprofit organization founded solely to help recent parolees or persons released from incarceration, Miles of Freedom. It was through this exoneree that she was able to remember why she became so passionate about the innocence clinics, there are more people just like him out in the world and locked up behind bars, and they need a voice.
Growing up around and being exposed to law starting at such a young age was beneficial. Emily has done everything from working for criminal defense attorneys, assisting in voir dire, trial preparation, jury trials, client and court communications, to drafting legal documents.
Emily’s passion for the legal field is a driving force in her. She loves the feeling of being able to help someone, whether it be in the innocence program or helping a parent get visitation or assist with receiving child support. Knowing that she is making a difference in people’s lives is a huge reward.
At home, Emily stays busy with her three young daughters, ages 12, 9, and 5. She enjoys hanging out with her kids and doing arts and crafts or playing at the playground with them. When she is not working or going to school, she volunteers with the Autism Speaks annual walk, serving as the chair of the marketing committee. This organization is very important to her as her middle daughter received the diagnosis of autism about five years ago. Although her daughter may have the diagnosis of autism, Emily never lets that be an excuse for her to give up on anything. She has worked hard to teach her daughter to not let anything stop her from achieving her goals. She has a huge admiration for her daughter, who Emily believes has overcome more in her nine years of life than anyone else she knows.
Her twelve-year-old daughter played volleyball for her junior high and fell in love with the sport. She is also a huge helper, always protecting her little sisters. She looks up to Emily and wants to also become an attorney like her mother is working towards. Emily’s five-year-old is a firecracker, she is the life of the party. There is never a dull moment when any of her kids are around.
Emily has worked for several attorneys but believes Brandy Austin sets herself apart from the rest. She believes Brandy’s care for each client and their case is something a lot of attorneys do not possess, she enjoys working for someone with those values.
Natalie Holtz
I was born and raised in a small but rapidly growing town in East Texas known as Tyler, TX by both of my parents. I had two siblings, both sisters and grew up very close to them. I went to John Tyler High School where the infamous Earl Campbell went to high school. I made many friends while growing up those of which I am still very close with and others that moved in other directions. As I began my journey to figuring out what I wanted to be when I grew up, I moved to Arlington, TX and decided to go to Court Reporting school. I became a certified Court Reporter for the state of Texas in 2004. I graduated Court Reporting school with a 3.9-grade average. I was determined to do well and did just that. I worked as a Court Reporter and Videographer for about 6 years and then decided to get married and start a family. I was very fortunate to be able to stay home with my babies for about 8 years.
While I was staying at home I started a Mary Kay business and worked it as a business. I started growing a team and working my way to Directorship. I met a lot of really incredible women while working my business and made some lifetime friendships as well. I joined the Power of Heels Women’s group and met with other women once a month to get new ideas, have lunch, and share our business plans together so we could all grow our businesses as women in America today. While working as a consultant with Mary Kay I was able to help take care of my family along with my husband.
Both of my most favorite occupations included being around people and assisting people with different needs. I love building relationships with new people. I do not meet a stranger. I believe that people are interesting and fun to be around. With that being said, I felt being an Attorney Liaison would be a great fit for me since I love being around people.
I have 2 beautiful children and a wonderful husband to help and assist in raising my sweet babies. I feel like I have the best of both worlds and I feel very fortunate. Family is very important to me. The dynamics of a family unit is a beautiful thing to me. When our children became of age, we decided to raise our children in a modest town just south of Arlington, TX. We live in a small town and the school districts were the right fit for our family. Both of my children are very athletic and enjoy doing anything outdoors.
In my spare time, I enjoy watching my son play baseball and my daughter play softball. We spend a lot of extra time on the weekends at their games. When I have time, I love white water rafting, spending time with family, and shopping. If and when I am able, I love to visit the mountains and enjoy being in the outdoors. Colorado is one of my most favorite vacation spots. Utah also offers a lot of beautiful scenery. I really wish I had more time to travel and hope one day when I retire, I am able to travel as much as possible.
I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Brandy Austin Law firm and look forward to assisting you in getting the best representation in town. I wake up each day with a positive attitude and try my best to be a better version of myself with every new day. Life is short and it’s important that you take it all in with grace and gratitude.
Samantha Ortiz Flores
Samantha Ortiz Flores
Legal Assistant
Samantha Ortiz has been raised by her loving family in Texas. She graduated from a high school in Fort Worth and continued her education in a university in Fort Worth. She has a lot of love for Texas.
Samantha graduated from Texas Wesleyan University in 2020 where she majored in political science. Samantha grew up being very close to her family. She has a younger sister who is in high school. Her younger sister is also interested in a career in politics.
Samantha has a very supportive mother and father who she is really grateful to have. Her mother had her at a very young age, so they both grew up together, creating a tight bond between the two. Her father has always taught her how to be an independent woman. However, knowing how to change her own tire and wanting to do so are completely separate things, so it’s safe to say that she struggles with actually being independent.
Nearly as loved and ranking dangerously close to most liked by all of her family members are her two dogs, Buddy and Maxi. They are incredibly spoiled. Both dogs are beautiful black labs, and just like most Labrador retrievers, they are incredibly sweet and intelligent. Buddy is growing older, and that’s scary for both Samantha and Maxi.
Another thing that Samantha loves to do is travel. It’s most people’s goal to travel the world, and that goal is not excluded from her bucket list. Her plans to travel have never strayed, and her list for places she would like to visit continues to grow. One of the places she would love to visit is Italy, specifically for the amazing food, but the sights, culture, and history are also important. When it comes to travel, she always makes it a goal to include at least one trip a year to visit her family in her hometown in Mexico.
Her favorite thing to do when visiting a new location for vacation is to hike and explore “haunted” areas. After every slight scare at a haunted location, Samantha gets scared over any small noise for at least a week after. She blames this on watching “The Ring” at an early age. This is especially surprising because as a child, she could not watch Scooby-Doo or Coward the Cowardly Dog, and she has yet to watch any slightly scary Tim Burton movie.
Whenever she gets dragged to a horror movie showing, she brings a blanket and makes sure to only look at the corner of the screen during a scary scene. Moving on to sweeter thoughts; her love for chocolate. Having always had a big sweet tooth, she is very fond of chocolate, cinnamon rolls, and waffles with strawberry toppings. She has also recently found that she’s a fan of pie, as long as the pie has fruit stuffing. However, nothing beats her love for chocolate cake. She has yet to find the perfect one and remains on the lookout for the lifechanging slice.
Samantha’s interest in politics began at a very young age. Growing up, Samantha would hear stories from her great grandfather about his experience as a Bracero. Her great-grandfather worked in California in the strawberry fields. He would speak about how prior to the activism strikes and marches led by Chaves, he didn’t quite realize how poor the conditions truly were. In his mind, he was simply grateful to have a job opportunity that paid more than what he has been earning in Mexico. He worked as a Bracero for several years prior to National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) founded by activist Cesar Chavez. Hearing about how conditions were and how conditions became after the NFWA really inspired Samantha to do as much as she possibly could to improve the life of others, especially those who have no idea what legal options they have. She is very passionate about the injustices faced in the world, especially since she herself has experienced discrimination. With improving her community and the life of others constantly in her mind, Samantha made it a goal to do something meaningful with her career.
At first, and possibly due to too many nights binge-watching Criminal Minds, her dream was to become a phycologist and study the behavior or criminals. However, the more stories that were told to her of the experiences that Samantha’s great grandfather had lived through trying to provide a better life for his family, the more that she began to look into policies and social justice organizations.
Samantha became the first person in her family to go to college. Setting a path for her sister to follow is something that she was always told to do, and she feels proud to have accomplished that. In less than a year, Samantha will be the first one to graduate college. Her goal of making her parents proud will be complete, but her own personal goal of advancing her career by going to law school will have just begun, and she’s very excited to further her education and do as much as she can to help all in her community.
Although she has many future plans to do big things to help, she is also doing as much as she can right now. Her career goal is to work for a non-profit organization doing as much as she can to assist those around her. Although she’s not sure on which direction she wants to go to accomplish these goals of her, she has always found support through friends, family, and coworkers.
Working in the family law department with Brandy and Emily has been exciting and very educational. There has been so much information and advice that she has received. Samantha is very grateful for the great experience that working at the Brandy Austin Law Firm has provided. For that reason, and because she has a great understanding of how great everyone works together to form a very unified team, Samantha is very happy knowing that each client will receive amazing care from the team at the Brandy Austin Law Firm.
Bonnie Avelar
Bonnie Avelar is a recent college graduate from Texas Wesleyan University and the newest Attorney Liaison at Brandy Austin Law Firm, PLLC. She was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and was raised by her mom Olga. Around the age of 5, Bonnie’s mom Olga remarried, and Elias has raised her as his own since. Olga and Elias instilled a lot of great virtues in her and her siblings. They taught them to be independent individuals but to also recognize when you need help and ask for it. They taught them to always be humble and to give back when you can. She was raised in a traditional Hispanic household and comes from a huge family. Naturally, she is extremely family oriented, and it goes without saying that her biggest supporters are her family. Some of her favorite memories when growing up are playing sports outside with her brothers or learning all about cars or how to repair all kinds of things with her dad, Elias. She would also spend many nights in the kitchen with her mom and sisters learning how to cook all types of dishes and would later grow to love to cook. Cooking with her mom and sisters would be one of Bonnie’s most cherished memories.
After graduating from Paschal High School in Fort Worth, Bonnie went to Tarrant County College where she struggled with staying focused on getting her associates and took many breaks from school. She eventually decided to go back to get her Associates of Applied Science in Paralegal Studies. As some of her biggest supporters, when she told her parents she was going back to school, they were so happy for her. Unfortunately, the month that she was supposed to go back in August 2016, she lost her mom and was unsure if she would be able to start the semester. She decided she would go back to school as a promise she intended to keep to her mom. Losing her mom only fueled her determination even further and ignited her drive to push through school and obtain her degrees.
While at Tarrant County College, she interned at J. Don Carter and Associates working closely with Celia Garza, Paralegal for Mr. Carter, where she learned a lot about criminal defense. As a former District Director for Representative Ramon Romero, Celia also taught her the political aspects of the law which is where she inspired Bonnie to obtain a degree in Political Science. She taught Bonnie the importance of being able to give back to the community and being a true advocate for the Latino community.
Bonnie graduated from Tarrant County College in May 2018 and then went on to attend Texas Wesleyan University. While at Texas Wesleyan, her academic advisor, Dr. Michelle Payne played an enormous part in her growing love for the law. She encouraged Bonnie and supported her endlessly through her academics. Dr. Payne recommended Bonnie to pursue an additional degree that would allow her to double major in pursuit of her career in the legal field. She graduated in May 2020 with her Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies and Political Science.
When not working, Bonnie is an avid sports fan of all DFW metroplex teams such as the Dallas Stars, Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys. She likes to watch her teams play but loves going to games more and she cannot wait until it is possible to attend again once it is safe. Out of all her favorite teams, the Dallas Stars take the place as her number one team when she went to her first game and was able to experience the intense but extraordinary atmosphere. She also loves to spend time with her best friends, Ashlee and Cristen who are best known as her Sistah Gals and are also a huge part of her life. Being family oriented, she also loves to spend time with her family which also includes her boyfriend, and her boyfriend’s family she likes to call her bonus family.
Bonnie currently still lives in Fort Worth with her boyfriend, Bryan and their 2 dogs, Khallie and Duke. Bonnie and Bryan have been together for 3 years and love to travel. All of their travel has only been in the United States but have hopes to travel outside of the United States when the pandemic is over. Her most favorite place she visited was New York and fell in love with it instantly while visiting making Los Angeles her second favorite place to visit. Both are beautiful places that she loved but all of the different types of cuisines is what she fell in love with the most. Their dogs who are referred to as her own babies are so incredibly sweet but love to play rough with one another. Khallie is a red Doberman and Duke is a blue Pitbull both of them are the best of friends and love to get all the snacks they can by giving you the sweetest looks and tail wags. They love to get all the snuggles and will willingly let you give them countless belly rubs.
From a young age, Bonnie has always had a love and a true passion for law. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, her answer was always “a lawyer”. After graduation, Bonnie has had aspirations about going to law school and still intends to take the Law School Admissions Test. She has thought about possibly starting her own firm which would be the ultimate goal of her career but still has not made up her mind just yet. She is excited to be a part of the Brandy Austin Law Firm and hopes to be able to help the firm in all aspects. She is determined to gain tons of knowledge that will assist potential new clients and current clients all around that will eventually be imperative to prepare the attorney for their cases. She hopes she can be of assistance to you when you contact the firm for your legal needs.
Jennefer Lowe
Jennefer Lowe
Of Counsel
Jennefer Lowe joined the firm in July 2015 as an Of Counsel Attorney.
After high school, Jennefer spent time serving the nation in the United States Navy. Jennefer earned a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2011. She went on to attend Baylor Law School where she participated in the National Security Moot Court Competition and served as a volunteer for their Veteran’s Clinic.
After graduating from Baylor Law School in 2014, Jennefer moved to San Antonio with her husband and daughter. She worked from home as an Of Counsel Attorney for several different firms around Texas, doing primarily research and appellate work. In 2016, Jennefer decided to turn her attention to the practice of Criminal Defense. She joined an attorney in the Waco area and began handling several criminal cases and learning that area of law.
In 2017, Jennefer moved to Fort Worth and joined the Brandy Austin Law Frim in May. She currently lives in the Fort Worth area with her husband and two children.
Bar Admissions
- Texas State Bar, 2014
Education
Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas
- Doctorate of Jurisprudence – 2014
Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
- Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development – summa cum laude – 2011
- Honors: Dean’s List
- Honors: Top 10% of Graduating Class
- Major: Family and Human Development
Credentialed Mediator
Organizations
- McLennan County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Tarrant County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- San Antonio criminal defense lawyers association
- Jennefer Lowe joined the firm in May 2016.
- After high school, Jennifer spent time serving the nation in the United States Navy. Jennefer earned a Bachelor of Science in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2011. She went on to attend Baylor Law School where she participated in the National Security Moot Court Competition and served as a volunteer for their Veteran’s Clinic.
- Since graduating from law school, Jennefer moved to San Antonio and now Fort Worth where she currently lives with her husband and 2 children.
- Since graduating from law school, Jennefer moved to San Antonio and now Fort Worth where she currently lives with her husband and 2 children.
Jay Gueck
Jay Gueck has been practicing law for over 50 years, having graduated from law school at the University of Colorado in 1963. The year prior to graduation, Jay was a member of the Moot Court team which won the National Championship in New York City, and Jay was fortunate to be named as the outstanding speaker. The judges on the panel included Justice William Brennan and Justice Thurgood Marshal.
Upon graduation, Jay became an associate in the litigation firm of Hindry, Erickson & Meyer, in Denver, Colorado, where he devoted his attention to personal injury, family law, commercial litigation, and criminal defense. He continued with this practice for a number of years, becoming a partner in 1965, as the law firm evolved under different names until William Erickson was appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court, at which time the name of the firm became Morrato, Gueck & Colantuno. Jay remained a partner in that firm, continuing with the same areas of practice in which he had engaged for approximately 19 years. During this period of time, Jay was very involved in criminal defense, participating in seven murder cases, of which he was first chair in four of them, achieving acquittals or reduced charges in each case. Jay also successfully defended various public officials, including a district attorney, commissioner of revenue, superintendent of schools, and a county commissioner. In another matter, Jay was appointed by the U.S. District Court to defend a lawyer accused of fraud. This appointment involved an agreement with the U.S. Attorney whereby Jay and his client, who had worked closely with a Belgian baron in a fraud scam, were dispatched to Europe, with Jay posing as an investor, in an effort to entice the baron to return to the United States (neither the FBI nor Interpol could locate the baron), so that the baron could be arrested and returned to Colorado for trial. This venture was successful, and the client was granted immunity in return for his efforts and testimony. Jay determined to end his criminal defense career with this case, whereupon he was appointed, in 1982, to serve as a judge in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Colorado. Jay served in this capacity until he and his family moved to Texas, in 1986.
Jay is often asked why he decided to move from Colorado to Texas. His response is that he hates the cold and the snow, and every winter in Colorado, said he was leaving – he finally did.
Upon moving to Texas, Jay became a partner in a large international law firm, devoting his attention primarily to bankruptcy. He continued in that area of the law, and later joined with various former partners to form what ultimately became the law firm of Olson Nicoud & Gueck, and Jay again expanded his practice to include the representation of plaintiffs in the areas of personal injury and resumed practice in commercial litigation, as well as bankruptcy.
Jay’s legal experience over the years has been in the litigation field, primarily in tort, commercial litigation, criminal representation, and bankruptcy, as well as an extensive practice
in appellate endeavors. During this period of time, Jay has had the opportunity to serve as lecturer in various litigation and bankruptcy seminars, and in 1981, served as President of the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association.
In the course of Jay’s practice, both in Colorado and in Texas, he has been admitted to all state and federal courts in Colorado, including the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, and, in 1972, he was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. After moving to Texas, Jay secured admission to all state and federal courts in Texas, and was admitted to practice before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. More recently, in 2016, Jay was retained to represent an oil company in defending a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court, in Chicago. Jay secured a summary judgment for that client, and the case was dismissed. However, the plaintiff appealed, and Jay was then admitted to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, where he obtained a dismissal of the appeal.
In 1992, Jay completed training in mediation from Attorney-Mediators Institute, and was certified in May, 1992. Since that time, he has mediated various cases in the fields of commercial litigation, family matters, professional liability, torts, and bankruptcy. Jay continues to practice in litigation, and in bankruptcy, as well as in appellate matters.
When the lease expired for Olson Nicoud & Gueck, one partner retired, and Jay determined to continue to practice but move his practice closer to his home, in Arlington. Thus, he was able to secure a position with the Brandy Austin Law Firm, where he currently devotes his attention to bankruptcy, personal injury, and commercial litigation.
Hunter Herrera
Hunter Herrera
Law Firm Administrator
Hunter was born and raised in the small but growing town of Crowley, Texas. There he lived with his loving family consisting of his mother, younger brother and father. Early in his life his mother passed away after losing her battle with cancer. His father was and continues to be a strong role model for him. For the majority of Hunter’s life his father could be found in the service industry. Growing up Hunter remembers many of the bring your child to work days his father would him and his brother would attend. Little did he know this would feed is love for cooking and creating later in life.
Hunter’s childhood was full of love and care from his father’s family and friends who help raise him and his brother into their teen years. Hunter attended Crowley High School. He enjoyed going to class and making friend, some of which he still in touch with. In his graduating year Crowley High School developed a early career training center where we would rediscover his love for cooking and creating meal for his friends and family. He quickly became the top of his Culinary Arts course lead by Chef Philpot, where he would study every little thing he could. He eventually he was handed the reigns of the schools Bistro where he learned to prepare and delegate simple hot sandwiches, serve beverages and run the cash register. To this day Hunter uses the skills he learned to prepare food for his friends and family as often as he can.
Having his culinary arts background it made it easy for Hunter to join the job force in food service. He began working as a line cook and a local wing bar in Burleson, Texas call Cocky’s Wing Bar. After awhile he discovered that growth at Cocky’s was limited at that point he decided to leave. A friend convinced him to join him as a delivery driver and later shift leader for the popular pizza delivery establishment Papa John’s. There he developed face to face customer service skill with people from all walks of life. This skill would later be essential to helping him with clients, and anyone who happened to walk into The Brandy Austin Law Firm office feel welcomed and warm.
After 3 years of working for Papa Johns it became clear to Hunter that the pace of growth had slowed down. He discovered a new opportunity as customer service representative (CSR) for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, he developed an understanding for the importance of client security. As CSR he helped keep client information secure and safe by screening each request and following the strict security guidelines set by the Federal Reserve Bank. After a year the travel from Fort Worth to Dallas proved too much to continue.
With his background of customer service positions and information security training, he turned his sights to the legal field. He figured that he would be an unlikely but natural fit. With hopes high he inquired about a position for a Legal Secretary at the Brandy Austin Law Firm. Now he welcomes any and everyone to Brandy Austin Law Firm with a smile on his face. For more than a year he went above and beyond for client and coworker alike. Eventually working his way up to Law Firm Administrator where he can use all the the skills he has developed to assist with the everyday operation of Brandy Austin Law Firm.
At the age of 22 he went from a party of one to a party of four overnight. After meeting at a mutual friends get together he and his now fiance quickly began to fall in love. After sometime and trust had been built his now fiance would introduce him to the next chapter in his life fatherhood. It would begin by meeting his fiance’s pre-started family, her daughter and her son, and just as quickly as he fell in love with her, he fall in love with them. He began to feel the puzzle coming together and at the age of 25 he and his fiance would open the next chapter of life their with their third child. Now Hunter lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his fiance and children, continuing to be a home supported by love.
Outside of work, Hunter enjoys spending time with his family, streaming movies, episodes of his favorite television shows, youtube internetainment, playing board games and video games. Among their watchlist is The The Game of Thrones, Star Wars movies, The Flash, This is Us, Modern Family, any of the Marvel movies, and Good Mythical Morning just to name a few. They try to go out and spend time together as much as they can.
While he doesn’t consider himself a diehard gamer (anymore) he does like to spend his free time playing games on his home computer Minecraft, Skyrim, Boarderlands series, and more often than not League of Legends (LOL) are among his favorite and most played games. He has been play computer games for a little over a decade but has in recent years found that tabletop games like Dungeons and Dragons or Mutants and Masterminds and board games like Ticket to Ride or Pandemic can be just as immersive and fun to play. Best of all these types of games are easy to travel with and can be taken to family events or friendly get togethers.
It is his mission in life to improve the quality of the lives around him at work or at home. To make everyone feel welcomed, loved or appreciated. Eventually, Hunter plans to go to school to further his education and improve upon his skills to more effectively take on the obstacle in the world around him. Later he would like the opportunity to open his own business to have something to pass down to his children. As a constant he will continue to strive for excellence and continue to work to improve the client/customer experience wherever he finds himself.
Kasandra Miller
Kasandra Miller
Kasandra Miller is a proud returning employee of The Brandy Austin Law Firm. Originally, when she started work at the firm it was in the Billing Department where she handled accounts receivables, payable and was fluent in customer relations. She assisted clients with their monthly statements, payments and assisted with payment plans. Kasandra also assisted with criminal law when needed and for the personal injury department in dealing with post litigation, and settlements.
Ms. Miller is now promoted to a legal assistant for the Firm and is dedicated to the Personal Injury Department as a valuable team member to the Department where she gathers the client’s medical and billing records for each of the clients. She provides personal and consistent communication with clients throughout their treatment process and appreciates being able to provide the clients comfort during their treatment phase and recovery phase of traumatic experiences.
Kasandra graduated from Premier High School located in Fort Worth with Honors. She also attended Tarrant County College for a year and a half and with the demand of living decided to gain experience in the actual workforce day to day. As a child, she grew up wanting to become a Veterinarian. She love the unconditional love that comes from animals and she found great comfort in all animals alike. Her life’s passion was always to assist people and animals. She had a brief encounter whereas she wanted to work as a Social worker for Child Protective Services or children that struggled in poverty or abusive homes. However, her heart simply could not take the burden of not being able to personally, save each child. Therefore, the next best thing was to find a career that she was able to assist within the legal process one case at a time. She enjoys being able to assist people within the legal field and reassuring people in their time of need. She finds comfort in speaking with clients and providing them the knowledge that they are not alone and from personal experience, she is able to offer a listening ear and a serving spirit to assist people in times of need.
Kasandra being the youngest of five siblings often found herself in the emergency room quite often from either being hit in the forehead by a Frisbee and needing stitches or falling off her bicycle trying to keep up with the older siblings. She has had stitches numerous times opposed to her oldest siblings whom never seemed to have any ailments. The protection from her older siblings was trying at times. She loves being able to share her childhood stories with her nieces and nephews. She also enjoys seeing the karma unfold within their children and having the luxury of having a front row seat to her sibling’s demise. There is a thirteen-year difference between herself and her oldest sister; therefore, her age allows her to understand her nieces and nephews a lot more than their parents. Kasandra is the fun-loving Auntie yet they are able to confide in her also. She really enjoys being their go to person for advice or mediator between them and their parents since Kasandra does not currently have any children of her own just yet.
Since Kasandra is not married nor has any children she often enjoys spending much of her free time exploring the United States and as such travelling is a favorite past time. She looks forward to the day that she has seen all of the continental United States. She often traveled with her Father when she was younger because he was an over the road truck driver so she became well- traveled having been to most of the Continental United States excluding just four states. The states she has not traveled to are the Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming. Being well traveled has given her an appreciation for the vast diversities of people. Growing up primarily in Texas of which she was born and mostly raised, travelling in our country, all over culturally speaking their differences from just state-to-state are vastly different. We may mostly all speak the same language; however, the differences in dialects is there. Her favorite places include New Orleans, the Smokey Mountains and anyplace near any large bodies of water.
In her spare time, she enjoys watching hockey, baseball, football, basketball and working mechanically on cars. She enjoy spending time in the kitchen, and she really love reading sci-fi and mystery books. She has a passion for reading and has her entire life. It is a form of escape but you are able to rehearse in numerous cultures, places, events and it is a hobby that she feels she will forever engage in. Kasandra also enjoys working on home improvements, vehicles and really enjoy going to car shows. She has often told numerous times that she is a tomboy, but she enjoys getting pedicures, manicures and cooking also. She enjoys learning new things and enjoys new experiences. Kasandra was brought up with old school morals to rely on herself to get things accomplished so she is rehearsed in many gender-neutral activities.
An important factor in her life would be spending quality time with her family members. Kasandra is closest with her oldest sister for she was her main caregiver as a child and growing into an adult. They spend a lot of time together doing many outdoor activities such as hiking, road trips, gardening, advocating for children and share the legal background together as well. Now that both are older, they both are getting to embark on new journeys of self-discovery together and making memories with one another.
If Kasandra had to pick anywhere in the United States to live she would choose either Hawaii or Arizona. She is naturally constantly cold all the time so she prefers warm places throughout the year. She enjoys the warmth that Texas provides but the humidity that comes with the Texas heat is something that she most certainly could do without. She has a five-year plan in place to find her niche, possibly start a family of her own and discover what she is able to offer this world.
Jonna Lang
Jonna Lang
Director of Administration
I was born June 21, 1990, in Fort Worth, TX to the best mother that has existed. From what I have been told I would not stop crying and while everyone else in the room hated it my doctor said its music to his ears. Growing up in a single-parent household taught me a lot and helped me learn about life a lot faster than most. I knew very young that education was key to being successful and creating a stable life. Unfortunately, I had a difficult time in school and once I turned 15 or 16 I dropped out of school and started working. I received my G.E.D. at around 17 years old and then got my CNA licenses and started working in a nursing home. After a couple of years working various jobs I decided to move out of the city to my parents in Whitney, TX. While I was in Whitney I worked for a coffee shop and a bank as a teller. A lot of the people I worked with were getting their degrees and talking about what they wanted to do with their future. I was encouraged hearing people’s stories and eventually, my passion for education and a successful future was back. I tried attending an online college but ended up failing my first semester and thought maybe I wasn’t ready or maybe I wasn’t smart enough, so I took a year off.
During my year off I focused on my health and thinking about what I wanted to do with my life. I realized that I had always had a passion for helping others and fighting for a cause so I researched degrees with helping other people as their focus. My research pointed me towards social work so I contacted the local junior college and spoke to an advisor and I signed up for community college. After two semesters I moved to Maryland, Virginia, and back to Arlington, Texas but continued at the community college by taking online classes. During that time I also failed my fourth semester but when I returned to DFW I applied to The University of Texas at Arlington and was accepted into the Social Work program. In my second semester and my third semesters I added a minor in African American Studies, a minor in Political Science, and a diversity certificate to my degree program.
I loved college and I was thriving. I joined a women’s leadership program, a leadership honors program, a global change organization, and the Center For African American Studies Emerging Scholars Program. I did my best to network so that I would have connections once I was out of college. Participating in different organizations and learning about other cultures I noticed that there were somethings that needed to change so I decided that once I completed my undergrad I would attend law school and become an attorney. I contacted the Pre-Law Center at my university and applied for an internship for a law firm. I actually had no clue what firm I was applying to and I had no idea what I would be doing but I knew that if I didn’t take the risk I would never know if I could get the internship. Somehow they liked me and I got the internship at Brandy Austin Law Firm. I interned throughout the summer while also working full time at Starbucks and attending classes. When summer ended Brandy Austin Law Firm asked if I would stay as the marketing director. Again I had no idea what I was doing but I knew I wanted a career in law and I would be stupid to pass up the opportunity to work in a law firm. Eventually, I moved to the attorney liaison position then to my current position as the Director of Administration.
I recently graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington with a Masters in Social Work specializing in community administration and practice. My degree has helped me in my current position with Brandy Austin Law Firm and while learning during a pandemic can be discouraging I am proud to say I made it through.
Working at the Brandy Austin Law Firm has given me the opportunity to have a balance between my job and family. Spending time with my family is very important and I am lucky enough to have time to spend with them. I have a 2-year-old rescue pup named Penny Lang whom I spend most of my time with. My stepfather has been one of my biggest supporters through college and I couldn’t be more thankful. My education is a huge milestone for someone in my family and every day I do my best to make those around me proud. My education has afforded me opportunities I would have never had and I have been given the unique gift of breaking generational cycles my family was unable to break. My goal is to be an example for my family and anyone interested in changing the trajectory of their life.
I have been blessed in life to experience many of the things I have experienced and to have the opportunities I have. It is important to me that I wake up every day and make it the best it can be. I try to have gratitude for what I already have and work hard for the things that I want. Working as the Director of Administration for Brandy Austin Law Firm is a learning experience every day but I have fun with it, stay positive, and try to lift spirits in the office any chance that I get. I remain committed every day and do my best every chance I have. It is important that whatever environment I am in I leave only positivity behind. Negativity isn’t helpful, and I have made the decision to try to bring a little light wherever I go including the company I work for, Brandy Austin Law Firm.
Kelly Lindsey
Kelly Lindsey
I was born in one of the most beautiful states, North Carolina. I know that most people think their state is the one of the greats, but North Carolina really is. The mountains, the foothills, and the beaches. Seven lighthouses that scatter the shoreline and islands that belong to wild horses. One of the first 13 states and home to the lost colony of Roanoke. To ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains in in the fall, is a beautiful sight to see. With the leaves turning beautiful colors, of fire red and yellow with many other colors thrown in. People from all over the country come to see the change. Being settled in the foothills meant my family could drive fairly short distances and be either in the mountains or go the other way and hit the beaches. My favorite times were always when the Highland Games came to Grandfather Mountain in Asheville. Taking these trips and learning about where people came from always intrigued me, still does to this day.
I would love to travel all over the world. Almost anyone can travel to see something nowadays. You don’t have to wait until you get vacation time approved, you can just go for a weekend, or even a day trip. Sometimes, my husband and I like to go down to San Antonio for a weekend, and spend time on the Riverwalk. Traveling is something that is very important to me. The world has a lot to offer, I hope to take advantage of that.
At 24 I left my home state and moved to Texas. There is no other place on Earth quite like Texas. It take more than thirteen hours to drive the length. Bluebonnets in the springtime are a beautiful sight to see. From El Paso to Austin, every city is different and beautiful and vibrant. The food here is better than anywhere else. As someone who was born and raised on the east coast, I never thought about the history of the West. But the more that I am here, the more I love it. I learn new things about the environment every day. There is a saying about the people that transplanted here. “I wasn’t born here, but I got here as fast as I could.”
At 30 years old, I got married and purchased a home, all in the same year. It was absolutely overwhelming and terrifying. I met my husband not long after I moved to Texas. We have been pretty much inseparable ever since. After six years, we finally got married. So far that was a pretty good decision. Purchasing a home was even scarier. So far, that has also been a great decision.
My whole life I have had a passion for animals. I’ve been around them since the day I was born and I would have to sit here and think of a time where there wasn’t a pet around me. Every dog is the best dog. I don’t know what I would do without my dog. She really has saved me. We have also taken in an elder dog that I have known since he was a puppy. He is a wonderful grumpy old man. Both dogs are larger Chihuahuas. Our cat however, has a very large attitude. In fact, she may even be a bit big for her britches. But my husband found her as a lonely survivor of a litter of kittens in the rain. She gets away with a lot.
My family is a wonderful family. They are there through it all, the good days and the bad. A sister who taught me how to be an adult, who taught me how to pretty much everything. Between my own family and my husband’s family, someone is always there for us. It is a great feeling, knowing you have people behind you that you know want to see you succeed and be happy. I am forever grateful for that.
I have a long wonderful history with video games. Starting with a regular Nintendo and Super Mario Brothers. I will always remember hanging out in front of the T.V. laying on the pull out couch. I then graduated to an original Gameboy, that was life changing. Handheld. Sometime you had to play in the bathroom just to have enough light. My next console was the Nintendo 64. Donkey Kong was my absolute favorite. We didn’t have much money so I did not have another console of my own until the Xbox360. I still played on everyone else’s system, so I didn’t miss out on much. I have moved to the P.C. for the most part lately. There is something nice about being able to build a computer that fits your needs exactly.
Living in Texas has opened my eyes to so much great food. In Fort Worth, the choices are limitless. Any type of food you could think of, it’s here. If for some reason it isn’t here, you can go to Austin and find it there. I love being able to try new things and eat something that is new and exciting. If only there were more themed restaurants in the area.
Before becoming a legal assistant I was supervisor to over 40 people on jobs where we would go in after a Wal-Mart was built and install all of the shelving, cash registers, and even build the dressing room. It was a physically demanding job that granted me the opportunity to travel. I got to drive across country multiple times with my husband and our one dog at the time.
Becoming a legal assistant has been very rewarding for me. I have been able to lay down roots in a place and learn something new. I’m so very happy that I have been able to learn a new skill and help people in the process. I have delivered for meals on wheels and was active in the Chamber of Commerce for multiple years. I hope to continue my career and provide assistance to those in need.
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Awards
Learn more about the prestigious legal awards that have been bestowed upon Brandy Austin.
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