ALUMNIPROFILE
Courtney Carlson ’08
Dedication to community Alumna Courtney Carlson makes positive difference as a public-service attorney eginning in second grade, Courtney Carlson ’08 dreamed of becoming a lawyer because she believed they helped people. Today, she is living that dream as an assistant county attorney in the Harris County Attorney’s office. Carlson became interested in transitioning to public-service law after Christian Menefee was elected as a new Harris County attorney in November 2020. “I was impressed by his ideas, energy and areas of focus,” Carlson said. “I was blown away by his approach to altering the county attorney’s office to be more impactful for the community.” Carlson believes her career has been built on the strong foundation she built while attending law school. “I was fortunate to gain valuable experience and build wonderful relationships through moot court,” she said. “Because of that program, as well as the great teaching by my professors, I felt confident when I started practicing. I also knew I still had a lot to learn.”
B
When Carlson graduated from STCL Houston, she clerked Texas Supreme Court Juative David Medina ’89. She witnessed the Texas Supreme Court justices in conference, analyzed incoming cases, helped prepare and sat in on oral arguments, and assisted in research. After her clerkship, Carlson gained appellate experience at a boutique firm, then successfully practiced litigation at Jackson Walker for more than a decade. Over the years, Carlson realized her judicial clerkship had made a lasting impression, and that type of work greatly appealed to her. At the Harris County Attorney’s office, Carlson works in the affirmative legislation division, assisting with consumer protection, nuisance, fraud claims, contractual claims, and environmental
“The leaders in the county attorney’s office, and my fellow team members, are inspiring.” – COURTNEY CARLSON ’08
regulatory enforcement. She advocates for the safety and wellbeing of Harris County residents through initiatives and litigation, including amicus briefs. Part of what keeps Carlson excited about her role is working with a dedicated group of attorneys. “The leaders in the county attorney’s office, and my fellow team members, are inspiring,” Carlson said. “We come from different experiences and backgrounds, but we all want to make a difference in the community.” Carlson is excited to tackle the challenges she will inevitably face as an advocate for the most populous county in Texas and the third most populous county in the United States. “I want to continue to give back to the city that has given me so much,” Carlson said. “Part of my work is to develop new partnerships between our office and the legal community. Because of South Texas and key mentors along the way, I have the skills to make positive changes. I know my colleagues and I can do so through dedicated advocacy.” stcl.edu
27
