Collin County Living Well Magazine Fall 2013 | Page 8

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Attorney Lori Leu Helps Seniors Face an Uncertain future
hen you walk into the offices of Lori A. Leu & Associates, it doesn’t feel like a law firm. There is an inviting warmth about the place that instantly makes visitors feel like a welcome guest in someone’s home. But that’s only a small part of why clients feel comfortable bringing their family concerns to Lori Leu for help. Lori simply radiates compassion for her elderly clients and her concern for their well-being is genuine and apparent in every interaction. You can hear the passion in her voice when she talks about the needs of the older generation and how many of them suffer because they weren’t fully prepared for the hardships of aging, “Getting old is harder than it used to be––families live farther apart and aren’t always able to care for each other the way they did in the past.” Lori believes the needs of the elderly are a growing concern. “People are living longer these days, and providing quality care for them is getting tougher,” says Lori. “There are a lot of us in the sandwich generation––trying to raise our kids and take care of our parents at the same time.” Lori is a wife and mother raising two teenagers herself, so it’s easy for her to relate to the real-life family situations her clients face every day. Lori grew up in a small town in Kansas. Her close-knit family was heavily involved in every aspect of the community from municipal governance to education. Lori credits her concern for others and her work ethic to the examples set by her parents and her grandparents, who worked tirelessly supporting their families and their community. “My community was an extension of my family. Not only did I know that others were watching out for me, but I felt a sense of responsibility to them,” says Lori. “My parents taught me by their example to give your time to the community and care for other people. Everyone is doing the best they can at any given time, based on their circumstances and opportunities. It is our responsibility to care for others, be fair, and always do the right thing.” Lori went to college at Kansas State University and earned an honors degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, summa cum laude, in 1984. Then she made a bold move. “I decided to go to Harvard Law School in Massachusetts. It was quite a shock, but I gained a much bigger perspective on the world,” she says. As Lori became increasingly aware of the many social inequalities and injustices across the U.S., she knew she wanted to pursue a career that would let her make a difference for people. “I love that our legal system endeavors to provide justice for all. The ability to use the law to serve those who really need help has always appealed to me.” Lori started her career practicing commercial litigation in Kansas City for two years and then moved to Texas. Her work ethic and small-town integrity helped her achieve success early on. Lori thrived in representing her corporate clients and was known as a hard worker who would stop at nothing to represent her clients’ best interests. In spite of her achievements and love for the law, though,
Photos by Lee Ann Baker | LAB Photography

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Collin County Living Well Magazine • Fall 2013