Linda Dunson, Not Just Another Lawyer

by Chantrice Banks
African-AmericanNews&Issues

Attorney Linda Dunson said it takes a very special person to become an attorney, because every case can be different.
She vouches on being that special person and will get the job done. A true attorney, according to her, has to stay focus on each case, because sometimes you can win some and also can loose a few.
“Some people do not know the meaning of an attorney,” said Dunson. “An attorney is a professional who represents clients in a court or advises them on legal matters.”
Located at 2626 South Loop West, Ste. 315, Dunson’s areas of practice include, Family Law, Real Estate Law, Wills & Probates and Criminal misdemeanors.
“I love to run my solo practice in Houston. It has been so good to me,” she said. “I’m in a very good location. This location able me to run from my law office to the court in minutes.”
Dunson’s interest in people reflected her to study law. Her first approach at understanding the intricacies of people was to receive a double major bachelors degree, Magnum Cum Laude, in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Houston Central Campus.
“I realized that people could be understood best by dissecting society’s laws and its rationalization behind the laws,” said Dunson. “Thus, I learned that people could be served best by holding society and the lawmakers to its preset standards and proper application of those standards. Hence, my journey into the land of “ the Law.”
Dunson grew up in Huntsville, Texas, where she experienced the effects of both a segregated and an integrated society. She received her Juris Doctorate from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law Magna Cum Laude in 2001.
The attorney said that although she works very hard for her money, she always finds time for the community.
“I have volunteered with fundraising efforts for members of the Texas Legislature and Rainbow Coalition/Operation Push Wall Street project,” Dunson said.
She has been involved in her community by working with the interfaith Hospitality Network homeless shelter, NAACP Voter’s registration, people for the American Way 2004 Election Protection, a child Advocate in Harris County, Houston Lawyers Association Katrina Relief Efforts, Houston Bar Association Legal lines and the Houston Lawyer Volunteer Lawyer Program AIDS Outreach and Pro bono lawyers.
Attorney Dunson is also an active member of the State Bar of Texas Law Practice Management standing committee.
“I’m a member of many associations such as the State Bar College, National Bar Association, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, Houston Lawyers Association, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association of Women Attorney, Houston Young Lawyers Association and the Houston Bar Association,” she said.
Dunson said her motto is “My work is a part of my worship.” She must represent Christ in everything she does, which means being fair, honest and fighting against injustice with the ferociousness of a lion and the gentleness of a lamb.
“Someone once asked me, how could I be a Christian and a lawyer,” she said. “My answer was and still is “God needs us in all places and he equips us for the job(s).”
Anyone needing to contact Dunson for her wide range of services should call 713-432-0267.

When Ebenezer Worship Center opened its doors to New Orleans residents a few days after hurricane Katrina, Pastor Gregory T. Walter, Sr. understood some of what they were feeling. “I was homeless not one time, but twice,” said Pastor Walter. Drug and marital problems left him with nothing. “When this happened, I remember, it was a church that helped me,” he said.
Thus far, Ebenezer took in about nine families and assisted more than 20 people with getting apartments. Walter explained Ebenezer opened its doors, because it’s the calling of every church and helping people out in this matter should be “automatic.” Most of the people the church took in were already in Houston at the Astrodome. The church acts as a helping hand for those who are self-efficient. “We act as a support group for them,” said Pastor Walter. Ebenezer mainly assists with feeding and clothing residents and helping them maneuver around Houston. Thus far, the church has been able to help through donations from its members and paying for everything else out-of-pocket.
“We could really use some sort of government assistance, but even without it, we will continue,” said Walter. “Right now, each family occupies its own private rooms. With government assistance, the place would be dormitory style with restrooms, showers and two beds to a room.”
Shelter life in general can be difficult. Wade Baptiste, 11, currently resides at Ebenezer. He said he does not like staying in shelters, because they just don’t feel right. However, Baptiste likes Ebenezer more than the three previous shelters he’s had to inhabit.
“In some larger facilities, there are only communal showers,” said Baptist. “Ebenezer is better than the other shelters, because you don’t have to take baths with other men.”
Ebenezer tries to insure a sense of privacy for all of its residents. “We want them to have a sense of pride, a sense of privacy and dignity,” said Walter.
Baptiste’s older cousin, Jubbar Price, 14, is also staying at Ebenezer. He said as far as shelters are concerned, Ebenezer is one of the best.
“I like it so much, because there are no strangers,” said Price. Baptiste and Price said so far school has been “alright.” A school bus daily picks them up and drops them off in front of the church.
The worship center has also brought relaxation for others with unforgettable memories.
Makeda Price, 23, said she didn’t get a good night’s sleep until arriving to Ebenezer. The worship center’s volunteers are helping her get around the city and making sure she is comfortable and all of her needs are met. “This is the first time we’ve had a television since the storm,” said Price. She watched the storm from beginning to end, but only experienced strong winds. “The storm was over and that’s when all the water came,” she said. Although hurricane Katrina passed, water in New Orleans continued rising and had already reached her top step when she and her brother grabbed her six-year-old daughter, Ayana, and decided to leave their 7th Ward home. Price’s mother chose to stay behind. They made it to Interstate-10 aboard a neighbor’s boat and from there, walked miles to the Superdome and treaded through the filthy water that covered the streets.
They, like thousands of other residents in the city, went to the Superdome in search of aid, but were disappointed. “They didn’t give us nothing to eat,” said Price.
She faced deplorable conditions while in the Superdome.
“Urine was all over the floor, everywhere you stepped,” she said. “I could not even bring my daughter to the bathroom, because I feared so much for our safety. Blood was all over the bathroom from when they raped a little girl.”
Price stayed in the Superdome about three hours before she was able to board a bus to Houston.
“My daughter was about to pass out,” she said. “That’s the only reason we got out so fast.”
She has moved from shelter to shelter, since arriving to Houston.
“I was in the Astrodome for two days and slept in a chair,” said Price. “I went to the Reliant Center from the Astrodome and then to the George R. Brown Convention Center, followed by the arena.”
Things are looking up for Price, because she located all of her family members after a week of searching. Her mother is in Austin.
Prices daughter, Ayana, like Wade and Jubbar, is enjoying her new school and daily gets picked up and dropped off in front of the church.
Pastor Walter said the worship center is still open to Katrina victims and back rooms are available.
“The church is willing to help everyone, but would prefer to take in entire families,” he said.
Ebenezer is located at 15955 W. Hardy St. For more information, call 281-447-7373.