Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Stevens.
Suzanne, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I attended the University of North Texas in hopes of becoming a news anchor. I graduated in 2001 with a bachelors degree in radio, television, and film. Rather than taking a job in the news industry, I was offered a job as a stock broker, which I did temporarily until I decided to return to school for my Juris Doctorate in Fort Worth. I began working in criminal defense as a second year law student in Denton County. After graduating and becoming licensed in 2008, I began working on my own shortly thereafter, after a short time in the business, I began to realize how important my job really was to the people that were trusting me with their cases. This steered me into a practice highly focused on mitigation. I began to realize that most of the people I was representing were not “bad” people, rather, they were people who were mentally ill, misguided, desperate, and almost always, financially challenged. For most of my clients, the threat of pending criminal prosecution is a motivator to make some changes in their lives. I have a tremendous responsibility to use this sensitive and vulnerable time in their lives to make real and lasting changes. Before we can do that, however, we have to spend a great deal of time figuring out exactly how they have arrived in a position to be in my office. As an attorney in this field, my experience and observation of others helps me to guide my clients to the right resources. Just understanding the psychology behind criminal behavior is not enough. To really make a difference, we have to get creative. We have to have a network of other professionals that stand ready to help, but most of all, we have to care. There is no place for judgment in this profession. I have to remind myself, and often others, that we do not walk in the shoes of any other person. We cannot begin to understand what it is like to be in their position. What we can do, is try to understand the genetic component that plays a role, the environmental circumstances, as well as the clinical side. Many of the clients the that I work with have one thing in common, a big bucket of money would solve everything. Crime is a very expensive business and some people get so mired in the muck of fees, fines, and costs that they feel hopeless. This can have a catastrophic impact on their self-esteem causing a cascade of events that often feel like a revolving door. Not to mention that it also influences their children who look up to them, spouses, and co-workers. My job is to stop the cycle once and for all. I am not just a legal advocate to my clients. I am a life coach, a mentor, a cheerleader, and a friend. If we can change the life of just one person, the ripple effect will be felt by many. I am not only proud of what I do, I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of the solution.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have met challenges just like any other business. I run a smaller case load than most other lawyers because I spend a tremendous amount of time with my clients. I am not just a lawyer, but also a business owner, so I have to make time to market, be the accountant, order supplies, pay bills, and everything else it takes to keep things going. I have many days where I have talked someone off the ledge, literally, or someone has opened up to me for the first time ever that they were sexually assaulted as a child. I deal with tremendous amounts of trauma, and then I have to go home and cook dinner for three toddlers. It can be difficult to switch gears sometimes and it is often emotionally draining. I have to make sure I take time to recharge my batteries.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Law Office of Suzanne Stevens – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My practice is very different than the experience that most describe with other attorneys. I specialize in criminal mitigation. I help people with all kinds of criminal cases from murder charges all the way down to driving on a suspended license. I treat every case with an equal level of importance. I give my cell phone number to every single client and I welcome them to call or text me any time of day or night, I return calls and texts very quickly and I strive to undo any preconceived ideas of what it looks like to work with a lawyer. I am not here to bill you to death for every little thing. I, personally, answer all of my phone calls. I have an assistant, but many clients never even speak to her as she primarily works behind the scenes. I find that this minimizes anxiety because I am here to explain every step to the client, sometimes more than once. I insist that my clients not only understand the process of the criminal system, but they must review discovery with me. I tell everyone from the start that we are a team and I cannot do this without their participation. Most clients are working on a mitigation plan that is tailored to their specific circumstances. I do not take on every client that calls. Due to the uniqueness of my style of representation, I cannot spend time working with those that do not have realistic expectations. I do more than just put a band aid on the problem. I am looking to make permanent changes in the lives of my clients.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am in the process of deciding what the future holds for my business. The main down side to what I do is that, in the grand scheme of life, I am really not able to help as many people as I would like. I have strongly considered going back to school to obtain my PhD in Criminology. I believe I can make significant contributions to the researchers working to identify a genetic sequence for criminal behavior. I have many opinions and valuable experience to contribute to this research. Due to the fact that at the heart of many crimes are concepts related to “addiction” I have also formed strong opinions regarding the needs of society as a whole. Life is so hard and for many, so painful. Rather than running away from pain or seeking alternative means for temporary happiness, I would love to provide a place that people can go to get away that isn’t illegal and would seek to enhance family relationships rather than to divide them. My dream as a child was to design roller coasters, but unfortunately, I am bad at math, so I have been working for many years on a business plan for an amusement park. I have concepts, characters, songs, marketing campaigns, and menus. I have thought of it all! I also write children’s books and I am a songwriter as well as a lyricist. Right now, my goal is to get three toddlers into kindergarten!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2220 San Jacinto Boulevard,
Suite 107,
Denton, Texas 76205 - Website: www.stevenstexaslaw.com
- Phone: 940-231-5261
- Email: ss@stevenstexaslaw.com
- Other: https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/76205-tx-suzanne-stevens-1774080/reviews.html
Image Credit:
Emily Moncus
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