My name’s Leila Shea Christensen and I live out in rural northern Missouri. Until about a month ago I was lived in an old bank right across the street from the county courthouse. I just moved my law firm down to Kansas City, so I’ve been camping out on my family’s couch and making the sixty minute commute. That should change soon – I’ll keep you posted.
I went to law school (and to undergrad!) at Brigham Young University. My mom and I graduated on the same day with our Bachelors Degrees. (She’s much cooler than me – who else do you know that could go back to school at age 38 with 8 kids and come out alive, much less get good grades?) I’m licensed to practice law in Missouri, Kansas & Nevada. I do primarily domestic work – adoptions, child custody/support, petitions for paternity, divorces and modifications. I get to do Guardian ad Litem work too (that’s probably my favorite!). That’s where you’re assigned to a child (while the parents have their own attorneys). I LOVE my job.
I’m the oldest of 8 kids. My brothers and sisters totally rock. Even when I wasn’t camping on the couch, I saw them all at least once a week. (With the notable exception of my sister Alisha, who still lives in Utah and goes to Utah Valley University.) Now that I’m staying here, I see them even more. You could say we’re close – you’d be right.
There are lots of loves in my life… working out, country music, long drives, scented candles, lasagna, cupcakes, dancing, warm socks, lots of blankets… the list goes on and on. Most mornings you’ll find me running (the stair machine has been neglected since I decided to run the KC marathon in October 2010). I’ve got a handful of playlists I rotate through, but you can bet one of them is full of Nickelback. During the day, I’m hard at work at my law firm. (I love being the boss.) My evenings vary – I play the violin, read books, go out with friends, take cool pictures, eat Captain Crunch, and dance in the kitchen. (Or work. Work is always an option.)
I’m the kind of girl that isn’t satisfied with mediocrity. I feel like I’m cheating myself if I head that direction. I think there are some things in life that are super important, and I try and make sure that I’m living in a way that fits those ideals.
I’ve got a painting (by my amazing mom) that says “The harder you work, the luckier you get.” That’s how I live my life. And I love it.
