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Whether serving in Juvenile Law or Private Divorce and Family Practice, Paralegals are True First Responders

Speaking to attendees of the annual State Bar of Texas Paralegal Conference about juvenile law, Leslie Barrows talked about the value of paralegals. “Paralegals are the first responders with the heart and soul of our team, advocating for our clients,” Barrows stated. There is a balance of compassion and responsibility when paralegals are juvenile law first responders.

In divorce and family law cases, paralegals are like nurses who know everything about a patient to assist the treating physician and others in the team. Our paralegals are the law firm’s first responders, giving immediate service and help to clients and the rest of our legal team.

A Team Approach to Service at The Barrows Firm

Being able to immediately respond to any client with an immediate need requires prompt action and a division of duties and responsibilities at The Barrows Firm in Southlake. Our communication and information processes are streamlined to be efficient and effective in helping our clients.

If Leslie or another associate attorney is unavailable in court, a properly instructed paralegal will talk to the client with their question or assist with an urgent matter. Even if the information is to sit tight and not talk to anyone else until Leslie contacts them, the client receives a quick and meaningful response.

Paralegals are First Responders Fielding Phone Calls

When paralegals are working on their instructed duties on client files and work production, such as assisting with discovery responses or requests, the client may rely on the paralegal working on their file to help answer questions and receive information quickly and efficiently, so the process keeps moving at an appropriate pace and issues are correctly addressed.

Attorneys rely on paralegals to research, receive and organize information so the attorneys have accurate information and can contact the clients with any follow up discussion as necessary.

Paralegals are Providing Care for Our Clients

Whether they are returning phone calls or emails, sending or receiving key information about deadlines and hearing or trial dates, paralegals are providing not only care but also reassurance to our clients about their cases and proceedings, so they are informed and comfortable with the process. Here at The Barrows Firm, we know that divorce, family law or custody case may be upsetting and uncomfortable, and we entrust our paralegals to always treat you with the dignity and respect you deserve at an important time in your life.

Leslie Barrows is the principal attorney at The Barrows Firm, serving clients in Tarrant County in Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine, Trophy Club, Keller and surrounding areas including Denton County. The Barrows Firm accepts new cases and referrals for divorce, child custody, family law, juvenile, and probate law, and matters. Call today to schedule a meeting by dialing (817) 484-1583.

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General Instructions on Deposition Preparation in Divorce and Family Law Cases

Being put on the spot is one thing, being deposed is another, but you do not need to worry if you know how to prepare to give your deposition in a divorce or family law case. Depositions are like what you see on television or movies when someone testifies in court. A deposition, however, does not take place at trial, It is part of the pre-trial discovery process. The opposing attorney will send a notice with the time and place you will be deposed to offer your testimony response to their questions. Documents may also be requested to bring along to the deposition. When you are prepared, tell the truth, stay calm, and are polite, there is no reason to lose sleep.

Remember that any questions, issues or challenges arising in your deposition can later be addressed at trial. While it is important to be accurate and truthful, there is an opportunity to correct problems.

General Deposition Preparation

1. You do not need to bring anything with you to the deposition room unless I previously reviewed or approved it. However, the examiner taking the deposition may use their own notes or documents to refresh your recollection. If a document is presented to you, make sure to read it very carefully. Take your time to make sure you understand what it is and what it says.
2. The examiner is not your friend. You have no duty to convince them of anything, but you do have a duty to answer their question. Be polite and answer shortly and succinctly. Do not keep talking and offer answers to questions not asked. Do not assume you know where they are going with their line of questioning and cut them off at the pass. The examiner might say they are confused, but that is not your concern. You only need to answer their question.
3. Do not let the examiner put words in your mouth. Listen to their question carefully and do not assume that the examiner’s summary of facts is correct. If you have no personal knowledge of the summary they suggest then say you have no personal knowledge and stop talking.
4. If you are concerned about particularly sensitive questions and answers, please talk with me, your attorney, before the deposition.
5. Private conferences with your attorney should be limited to breaks except where you don’t know if a question violates a privilege such as the attorney-client privilege. If you cannot answer a question truthfully, accurately or succinctly, you may ask for a side conference with your attorney. Note that, generally, private attorney and client conferences are limited to breaks. If you need to change your answer to one of the questions, talk to me about it during a break and do not say anything otherwise. After the deposition is completed and we receive a transcript, there is an opportunity to correct small and technical changes.
6. Do not promise to help the examiner with anything other than answering questions. There is no need to agree to look something up at the break, produce any documents, or get back to them later. Simply answer their questions truthfully and succinctly.
7. Remember not to get angry, emotional, or become rattled. The examiner is not your soon to be former spouse, just his or her attorney. Do not address the opposing party. Do not tell the opposing counsel what you feel about the opposing party. And absolutely do not call anyone names or use abusive language. Please keep calm and smile when the deposition is being video-recorded.

Answering Deposition Questions

8. Speak clearly so the court reporter can take an accurate transcript of the deposition. Make sure you tell the truth and remember that perjury is a 3rd Degree felony in Texas. Making untrue statements, on even minor details, can be used against you at trial to destroy your credibility.
9. When the examiner asks you a question, listen carefully and then pause. The questions may not be as simple as they seem. Ask the examiner for clarification if you do not understand their question. When you pause, you are giving your attorney time to make an objection to the question. The transcript will not contain your pauses so do not worry about taking all the time you need.
10. Only answer exactly what is asked. Do not offer any other information or story about your answer. If the examiner has follow-up questions they will ask them, and you may answer those accurately and succinctly.
11. Do not use qualifying language or speculate in your answer. Do not add the terms “To the best of my recollection,” or “I believe it was/is…” If you are certain of a fact, simply answer the question. Not speculating means simply answering a question with a simple “Yes” or “No”. If you do not know the answer, simply say “I don’t know,” and stop. If the question is a date or time question, only answer if you specifically know. It is okay to say “I believe it was on or about…”
12. Reminder: Only answer the question asked by the examiner and do not try to assume the next question. Keep your answers short. “Yes” and “No” are good short answers. That said, do not be misleading. If a short answer would be misleading, explain the answer briefly.
13. Remember, the examiner may be trying to rattle you, make you look unintelligent, or foolish. Do not fall into their trap and say or do anything other than answer short truthful answers. Letting yourself be trapped by slick deposition tricks will not help you later at trial.

About Attorney Objections

14. Your attorney may make an objection on the record to any of the questions asked by the examiner. Objections to the form of a question, for example, are handled on a later date and not at the deposition.
15. If your attorney says, “OBJECT,” you should stop talking and not speak again until directed. Listen to the objections because they may give hints as to what or how to answer. This can be talked before your deposition and practice a little on how to handle objections.
16. If your attorney says, “Don’t answer,” then DO NOT ANSWER.
17. Often objections are place markers are usually limited. You may still need to answer the question but please remember #14 above. If your attorney says, “Don’t answer,” then DO NOT ANSWER.

Most attorneys in the Southlake area and Tarrant and Denton Counties are civil with one another and understand that they will see and work beside other opposing counsels again in other cases. Luckily most depositions are smooth and painless, but you must be prepared and appropriate regardless.

Southlake divorce and family attorney, Leslie Barrows, is experienced and skilled in pre-trial divorce litigation and the discovery process, including taking and defending depositions. Call Leslie at The Barrows Firm in Southlake by dialing (817) 481-1583, or contact us through the website with any of your questions about how to prepare to give your deposition in your divorce or family law case.

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Married to a narcissist: Co-parenting challenges

Being married to a narcissist can make life challenging, especially in co-parenting. Not everyone with narcissistic tendencies is to the level of psychological diagnosis, but they can be very challenging to live with. Why would any sane person stay married to someone who puts them down, lacks empathy and tries to constantly undermine your efforts? For some people there is a balance of interests in a marriage with children. Some stay married for the sake of children having a stable home until they are grown and off to work or college.

Even if you do think your spouse is somewhere on the narcissism spectrum, there may be several wonderful things you do love about them despite them being challenging, when you are trying to be a team in raising children.

What is co-parenting?

We often hear about co-parenting in terms of divorced parents of children who are trying to work together in the best interests of the children by reaching agreements and cooperating while raising children and making decisions the other parent may appreciate. Why don’t we hear more about co-parenting among married couples?

Married parents of children should work together like a team in raising children. One aspect of team parenting is agreeing on rules and enforcing them. Otherwise, when one parent says no, the other might say yes. Being married to a narcissist is challenging because the narcissist might undermine your efforts.

Narcissists’ inflated ego and lack of empathy

Psychology researchers suggest that narcissists appear to have strong personalities but are insecure about their true self. The narcissist focus on their self-image, thinking and behavior is said to give validation and stability when they otherwise lack self-esteem.

As a narcissist obsesses over being the boss, being perfect and having power and admiration, the other people in their life seemingly become objects that either confirm or deny the narcissist’s self-concept. They may only care about how any given situation affects them and how they are seen by others, completely missing the point that their actions can hurt others, especially their children, when they have no empathy for them.

How does being married to a narcissist affect co-parenting?

When you are married to someone obsessed with power, success and brilliance it can be difficult to be a team player while raising children together. Many narcissists are said to somewhat ignore others until there is an opportunity to be the hero and save the day, especially when others are watching.

A Psychology Today article offers tips for co-parenting with a narcissist:

1. Expect and ignore backhanded comments and character attacks when the narcissist is just trying to get a rise out of you;
2. Beware of the narcissist lining people up to rally against another, such as siding with the children and throwing you under the bus;
3. Be strong and when threats or guilt trips appear, as the narcissist is trying to prove they can control you and steer you away from what you were doing with your children;
4. Know when a narcissist is playing favorites, and know confronting them about it may do not good because the narcissist will not likely understand another’s perspective; and
5. Be a parent with empathy, which children need for their emotional health, and which they will not likely get from the narcissist parent.

You may also read our blog article, Narcissistic personality disorder & divorce, where we talk about some of the challenges we face in divorce litigation when your soon to be ex-spouse is a narcissist.

Leslie Barrows is a divorce, custody, family law, juvenile law and estate planning attorney in Southlake, Texas. Please contact Leslie through the website or call the office anytime by dialing (817) 481-1583.

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Dinner plans with the mayor were made in March at the Women Empowered luncheon when Leslie Barrows and MaryLee Alford were the high auction bidders on the Dinner with Southlake Mayor, Laura Hill. With the support of Southlake area corporate sponsors, a portion of the proceeds was donated to the Grapevine Relief And Community Exchange (GRACE).

The Luncheon

The Women Empowered (WE) annual luncheon is hosted by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce to bring women together from all over North Texas to network, learn, support one another, become more involved and to give back to the community. The Spring 2018 WE luncheon theme was “Luncheon at Tiffany’s” and was held at the Hilton Southlake Town Square on the evening of March 2. Over 300 of the finest women in business in North Texas were in attendance. Guests enjoyed keynote speaker, Betsy Allen-Manning talk about helping managers and employees in developing leadership skills.

Among the fundraising opportunities at the 3rd annual WE luncheon was a private dinner with Southlake Mayor, Laura Hill.

The Dinner

Southlake Mayor Laura Hill and her husband Joe graciously hosted an elegant private dinner with Leslie Barrows, MaryLee Alford and their husbands Jeff Sanford and Carl Alford. Leslie and MaryLee were the high bidders on “Dinner with the Mayor,” raising money at the WE luncheon to support a client of GRACE.

Dinner by Brio Tuscan Grille’s executive chef, Jarad Bissell was well received. In a stunning 5-course meal with appetizers and fine wine, this group enjoyed one another’s company and celebrated the hard work and philanthropic efforts of so many who support the WE luncheons and their fundraising success.

Southlake Chamber

While the mission of the Southlake Area Chamber is to serve the needs of business, members of this active chamber understand that business only thrives when members of the community are at their best. There is a special feeling when business owners get together and raise money to donate to such important and compelling causes.

Gallery of Pictures at Dinner with the Mayor. Images by Luce Photography, LLC.

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Leslie Barrows is a 360 West Top Attorney 2018

Leslie Barrows is again nominated and listed in the Top Attorneys by 360 West Magazine for 2018.

The 2018 Top Attorneys list be published in the July edition of 360 West Magazine. A reception celebrating the Top Attorneys will be held on the evening of Thursday, June 28, 2018 at Autobahn Porsche in Fort Worth.

Leslie Barrows was listed on the 360 West Magazine Top Attorneys list in 2017 in the Adoption Law category.

About the Top Attorneys list

360 West Magazine conducts a nominations process to collect ballots, vet and tally votes for selection to the Top Attorneys annual list. Attorneys in the area vote for other attorneys in 45 unique legal practice area specialties.

The Top Attorneys list is published for the benefit of fellow attorney colleagues recognizing one another for exemplifying excellence in their legal practice and general positive contribution to the community.

The Top Attorneys list is useful to community members looking for a recommended attorney

When 360 West Magazine readers find the list of Top Attorneys they can trust that the lawyers listed are selected by their peers and cannot pay to be considered or included. The honor of being listed a Top Attorney is earned and recognized by fellow attorneys with personal knowledge of those they nominate.

About Us: For more information please contact The Barrows Firm in Southlake.

If you would like more information about The Barrows Firm, P.C., please contact the firm by calling (817) 481-1583. The Barrows Firm is located at 700 East Southlake Boulevard in Southlake near the Town Square.

You can follow The Barrows Firm on social media and find important articles and resources about Texas law and how it may affect you or your family. The Barrows Firm is on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. To read client endorsements and reviews of Attorney, Leslie Barrows, please visit her Avvo.com profile.

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A culture of client service in law firms

The practice of law can be an honorable profession. In past decades there has been more pageantry in the professional services such as law practice, where the relationships among attorneys and their clients was honorable. Too often today, the pace of technology and business has encroached upon the attorney client culture which is too often noticed in client service.

Especially in divorce and family practice we attorneys sometimes hear clients express their dissatisfaction with their last attorney, often for lack of attention and failure of communication.

Trusted personal advisors and representatives

Creating the best client service culture in a law firm should be any attorney’s goal in small private practice. When you and your client build a trusted relationship, that client should come to you forever with all their questions, and not just in your practice area. While my practice is divorce, juvenile and probate, I know attorneys all over Tarrant and Denton counties, and I would rather help a former divorce client find a good tax, civil, business or criminal defense attorney who I know will do a great job and respect the client and the source of the referral.

Answering the urgent needs of a prospective or current client

One of the easiest ways to set your law firm apart from the rest is to treat every single client and prospective client like a VIP. A gift is returning from court to several messages from several clients waiting on you. Take no more than a minute or two per client to call them, acknowledge their call and tell them when you will realistically be able to communicate in greater depth or answer their question. By doing this you acknowledge to each client that they were important enough to get a return call. The net benefit is a better attorney-client relationship.

Note that some people chose to acknowledge a client quickly through sending short emails or text messages letting them know you got their message and when you can get back to them.

Being focused on results and not the process or means to the end

People want results and in divorce and family law particularly, people will pay for results. At the end of the day, no client ever said they were impressed by the number of well litigated hearings they experienced or how adept their attorney was at being creative and solving problems. Clients want results. When you talk about the process, talk about results and not the path.

Results should be the focus because that is why the client hired you in the first place. Nobody hires a lawyer they think will not get the job done.

About Us: For more information please contact The Barrows Firm in Southlake.

If you would like more information about The Barrows Firm, P.C., please contact the firm by calling (817) 481-1583. The Barrows Firm is located at 700 East Southlake Boulevard in Southlake near the Town Square.

You can follow The Barrows Firm on social media and find important articles and resources about Texas law and how it may affect you or your family. The Barrows Firm is on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. To read client endorsements and reviews of Attorney, Leslie Barrows, please visit her Avvo.com profile.

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Meet the Mayor, Coach and Leslie event

Guests arriving at The Barrows Firm in Southlake walked a red carpet from the valet stand to take a quick picture at the step and repeat banner as they welcomed friends and colleagues from the Southlake and Tarrant County legal community, the Southlake Chamber and residents and fans of Carroll Dragons football who were excited to meet the new coach. The event was catered by Ted Bilsky with Scratch Kitchen and the food was excellent.

Yesterday’s meet and greet was the ribbon cutting and one year anniversary of The Barrows Firm joining the Southlake Area Chamber of Commerce where principal Leslie Barrows is seated on the board of directors and serves as Policy Vice Chair.

Mayor Laura Hill toasts the Southlake community

Elected in 2015, Mayor Laura Hill remains committed to meeting everyone who makes Southlake, Texas a great place to live, work and raise a family. What truly makes the Southlake area unique is the openness of community leaders who take the time to meet people and learn who they are and the stories they share.

Meeting Carroll Dragons Football Coach Riley Dodge

Excited for Dragons football this fall? Many attendees at our meet and greet were ready to offer a firm handshake to new Carroll football coach, Riley Dodge. Not that we have high expectations, but winning Carroll Dragon football games on Thursday and Friday nights will soon be a frequent topic of watercooler talk.

About the Southlake Chamber

The Southlake Area Chamber of Commerce and its many active members echo an important message, you get out of the chamber community what you put into the chamber community. As more people move to Southlake and join the group, seeds are planted and relationships blossom. We all prefer to shop with and do business among those we know, like and trust. The meet and greet at The Barrows Firm this Thursday was a showcase example of this spirit of community.

About Us: For more information please contact The Barrows Firm in Southlake.

If you would like more information about The Barrows Firm, P.C., please contact the firm by calling (817) 481-1583. The Barrows Firm is located at 700 East Southlake Boulevard in Southlake near the Town Square.

You can follow The Barrows Firm on social media and find important articles and resources about Texas law and how it may affect you or your family. The Barrows Firm is on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. To read client endorsements and reviews of Attorney, Leslie Barrows, please visit her Avvo.com profile.

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Grandparents visitation and access to grandchildren in Texas

Grandparents know that if mom or dad says no, ask grandma or grandpa. The importance of grandparents in the lives of young children is unquestionable. They are wise and perfect in the eyes of our children. They are excellent baby sitters, chefs and will take you to see all the sights.

In some families affected by divorce and other complications in life, grandparents can take on more of a caretaker role. While grandparents often get involved on an informal and voluntary basis, there are other times that Texas courts are involved in grandparents and their ability to have court-ordered visitation, also known in Texas as possession and access.

What is Troxel v. Granville?

The U.S. Supreme Court held in the year 2000 that parents have a fundamental right to raise their children. The Court: "The interest of parents in the care, custody and control of their children—is perhaps the oldest of the fundamental liberty interests recognized by this Court.[i]"

The parents’ fundamental right limits a court’s authority to order grandparent visitation, possession and access where the parents object and have sole rights to raise their children. While grandparents themselves do not have a fundamental right to raising grandchildren, state courts and laws giving special weight to a fit parent’s wishes.

There are often rumblings of new litigation and court cases involving these matters, but for now Troxel v. Granville stands as the law of the land. Meanwhile, in Texas there are conditions in which grandparents may obtain court-ordered possession and access.

When can Texas courts order grandparents to have visitation possession and access?

The office of the Texas Attorney General maintains a helpful “Grandparents’ Page” sharing the circumstances in which Texas law allows a court to authorize grandparent visitation.

Grandparent visitation must be in the best interest of the child, and one of the following must apply:

• “The parents divorced;
• The parent abused or neglected the child;
• The parent has been incarcerated, found incompetent, or died;
• A court-order terminated the parent-child relationship; or
• The child has lived with the grandparent for at least six months.[ii]”

Note that if the grandchild was adopted by someone other than the step-parent, a grandparent may not request visitation, possession and access.

For more thoughts or information about grandparent possession and access, call Leslie Barrows.

About Us: For more information please contact The Barrows Firm in Southlake.

If you would like more information about The Barrows Firm, P.C., please contact the firm by calling (817) 481-1583. The Barrows Firm is located at 700 East Southlake Boulevard in Southlake near the Town Square.

You can follow The Barrows Firm on social media and find important articles and resources about Texas law and how it may affect you or your family. The Barrows Firm is on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. To read client endorsements and reviews of Attorney, Leslie Barrows, please visit her Avvo.com profile.

[i] Troxel v. Granville, 530 U.S. 57, 65; 120 S. Ct. 2054, 2060 (2000).

[ii] Texas Attorney General, Senior Texans, Grandparents’ Page.

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Narcissistic personality disorder & divorce

A spouse with narcissistic personality disorder may prefer a court battle. In a recent article in Psychology Today, issues involving narcissists and divorce are highlighted to help people understand and respond appropriately to typical narcissist behavior. The article suggests you are going to court because your narcissist spouse’s, “refusal to discuss terms on any reasonable basis. Going to court and having a judge decide may actually make the narcissist more comfortable because it means he or she doesn’t have to take responsibility for the outcome, especially if it’s not favorable.[i]”

The narcissist wants to battle in court and have plenty of attention.

The narcissist wins by engaging you in a court battle. The narcissist makes it all about them. If they are the ones to start the court battle it is because they are in it to win it and they seek attention through battling you. If you cause them to respond to litigation they still win because it means they are the victim and will seek attention through others who pay attention to their pity party.

Tips on spotting and addressing narcissists in divorce:  

• Obstruction at all levels as a strategy;
• Refusing to negotiate or settle anything;
• Spending money to run up your bills;
• Taking any opportunity to make you look bad;
• Going back to court frequently, even after the divorce.

Narcissists in divorce may love playing games.

In divorce, the narcissist with money to spend on litigation can tie a divorce and custody case up for a long time if they know how to take advantage of the court system. The longer they can hold their spouse over a barrel and keep spending everyone’s time and resources, the more likely the narcissist will win by simply exhausting everyone else involved.

Experienced divorce attorneys can usually spot these situations from a mile away and will respond accordingly to protect their client from being on the wrong end of frivolous and ongoing divorce litigation. The courts can help limit a narcissist from causing a family law case from getting out of hand. This is especially important when the narcissist is not likely to stop filing things just because the original divorce case is concluded.

For more thoughts about narcissism and divorce, call Leslie Barrows.

About Us: For more information please contact The Barrows Firm in Southlake.

If you would like more information about The Barrows Firm, P.C., please contact the firm by calling (817) 481-1583. The Barrows Firm is located at 700 East Southlake Boulevard in Southlake near the Town Square.

You can follow The Barrows Firm on social media and find important articles and resources about Texas law and how it may affect you or your family. The Barrows Firm is on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. To read client endorsements and reviews of Attorney, Leslie Barrows, please visit her Avvo.com profile.

[i] Psychology Today, 13 essential tips if you are divorcing  a narcissist, by Peg Strep, May 11 ,2016.

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Domestic Violence & Self-Defense

Domestic violence and self-defense are topics more openly discussed in the present day after too many years of family violence being swept under the rug. It is a good thing that more domestic violence victims have support systems and accessible court procedure to help obtain protective orders. That said, protective orders and support will not stop a violent aggressor who does not care about following rules and laws.

Just last week in an episode of Fox Television’s drama, “911,” the former spouse of a domestic violence victim sought out to do harm and stab to death a person who helped his ex-wife get away from him in a family violence scenario. If someone really wants to do harm, they can. Being prepared to defend yourself from an attack is your best defense.

Escaping Domestic Violence

To escape domestic violence is to escape the abuse and control of another. A common component in abusers is their obsession with control. In many cases we see abusers move them and their spouse away from family, friends and support systems that the abuser cannot control. What the abuser can control is their spouse’s access to other people, places and the money necessary to live from day to day.

While some domestic violence victims go into hiding, some escape in plain sight and their abuser knows right where they are. There is no right or wrong way to escape domestic violence and like every marriage is unique, so is the fallout in every domestic violence situation. Some say attempting to hide and conceal one’s new location and access thereto can make an already angry controlling person outraged, and in that sense, hiding in plain sight might help de-escalate some situations. Note that if your abuser knows how and when to find you, being prepared to defend yourself is wise.

Women’s Self-Defense Classes

In women’s self-defense classes, instructors commonly mention that one does not need to carry a weapon to defend themselves if they are trained in proper self-defense. Knowing how to fight back if attacked, and the positive emotional benefit of same can contribute to whether a victim survives an attack if their aggressor comes for them.

Remember that at the end of the day a protective order is nothing more than a piece of paper. If you are a domestic violence victim with a protective order you should call 911 if your aggressor comes for you in violation of the order. Remember, however, first responders may be several minutes away from saving you. Are you prepared to save yourself?

For more thoughts about domestic violence and self-defense, call Leslie Barrows.

About Us: For more information please contact The Barrows Firm in Southlake.

If you would like more information about The Barrows Firm, P.C., please contact the firm by calling (817) 481-1583. The Barrows Firm is located at 700 East Southlake Boulevard in Southlake near the Town Square.

You can follow The Barrows Firm on social media and find important articles and resources about Texas law and how it may affect you or your family. The Barrows Firm is on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. To read client endorsements and reviews of Attorney, Leslie Barrows, please visit her Avvo.com profile.

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Leslie Barrows is accepted into CLASS – Carroll Leadership Academy for Supporting Success

Southlake, Texas – Feb. 5, 2018 – Southlake family law and juvenile law attorney, Leslie Barrows, of The Barrows Firm, P.C., is accepted into CLASS – Carroll Leadership Academy for Supporting Success for 2018

Leslie Barrows, the Southlake family law and juvenile law attorney,  is mother of three boys in the Carroll Independent School District (CISD) and was seated earlier this year as a member of the Carroll Education Foundation (CEF) Board of Trustees. The CEF raises money for programs benefiting CISD students and staff where money is not otherwise allocated in the CISD operating budget.

Recently Barrows was nominated and accepted into CLASS 2018. Ten years ago, in 2008, CLASS was formed with a vision to create the most highly informed school district community in the State of Texas. Barrows will attend the next CLASS meeting on February 27th and meet other members who are parents and citizens in the community who will learn about the organizational operation of CISD. At the February meeting the group will be introduced to CLASS and its vision as well as the core values of CISD.

The CLASS 2018 Agenda Topics:

• School Finance;
• Curriculum and Instructional Technology;
• Student Roundtable Discussions;
• CISD Board and Community Relations;
• Campus Administrator Roundtable Discussions;
• School-based Classroom Visits at Carroll Senior High School;
• The Role of the Board of Trustees/Carroll ISD Trustees Roundtable;
• CLASS of 2018 graduation ceremony with Board of Trustees at Carroll ISD Board Meeting.

Leslie Barrows recently stated about being nominated and accepted to CLASS 2018, “I sincerely appreciate being invited to this group and learning more about our children’s schools and environment. Together we can all share information with one another to bolster the CLASS vision of creating the best-informed school community in Texas.”

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About The Barrows Firm

The Barrows Firm is located near the Southlake Town Square at 700 East Southlake Boulevard, Suite 170 in Southlake, Texas. If you would like more information about The Barrows Firm, P.C., please contact the firm by calling (817) 481-1583.

You can follow The Barrows Firm on social media and find important articles and resources about Texas law and how it may affect you or your family. The Barrows Firm is on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and on Avvo.com.

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Leslie Barrows Carroll Education Foundation

Southlake, Texas – Jan. 1, 2018 – Southlake family law and juvenile law attorney, Leslie Barrows, of The Barrows Firm, P.C., is a new Board of Trustees member for the Carroll Education Foundation, supporting the Carroll Independent School District.

Leslie Barrows offers good judgment and experience to the Carroll Education Foundation (CEF) and feels honored to be appointed to the Board of Trustees. “I have worked with and served as a volunteer among several local and charitable organizations here in Southlake and in Tarrant County and I look forward to working with the other new appointees and all the community leaders who are members of the Carroll Education Foundation Board,” Barrows stated. “Together we can all combine our skills and assets in continuing to support the Foundation and raise awareness of Foundation efforts and events.”

Supporting the educational programs of the Carroll Independent School District (CISD), the CEF, formed in 1996, carries forth its mission: To enrich, expand and protect excellence in education by creating and distributing resources for the benefit of the students of the Carroll Independent School District.[i]

The CEF provides funding for CISD programs and activities that are not included in the District operating budget. Student achievement and skill development is a focus of CEF funding efforts as well as highlighting staff excellence.

Barrows was appointed to the CEF Board of Trustees among five other fine community leaders, Rebecca Hindman, Tracey McDevitt, Kirran Moss, Diane Thomas and Theresa Wright. Together they join the currently seated board members, Robin Austin, Ed Brunner, Michelle Clay, Boulton Fernando, Brian Hodges, Heather Jarvis, Alec knight, Douglas Lies, Nolan Ogden, Stephanie Pennington, Chris Prokopeas, Sherri Williams and Annie Zvonecek. Additionally, new officers were appointed, Kathy Talley as Chair, John Irvine as Vice Chair, Julie Doyle as Secretary, Mary O’Toole as Treasurer, Jessica Byrne as an officer at large, and Sarah Mason as Past Chair.[ii]

Next week, January 17 is the "Kendra Gives Back" event benefiting CISD with 20 percent of your purchase when you shop at Kendra Scott in Southlake next Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m.

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About The Barrows Firm

The Barrows Firm is located near the Southlake Town Square at 700 East Southlake Boulevard, Suite 170 in Southlake, Texas. If you would like more information about The Barrows Firm, P.C., please contact the firm by calling (817) 481-1583.

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[i] Southlake Carroll Education Foundation website, About Us.

[ii] Carroll Education Foundation press release: Carroll Education Foundation Announces Six New Board Members and Five New Officers, Jan. 3, 2018.

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