As dedicated advocates, we understand the complexities and emotional nuances involved in planning for the future, protecting assets, and ensuring the rights of older adults. Our expertise spans a wide range of services, including estate planning, guardianship, Medicaid planning, and special needs trusts.
Christina Lesher provides comprehensive legal counsel in Elder Law, Medicaid and Special Needs Planning, Veterans’ Benefits, and a wide range of legal matters affecting seniors and individuals with disabilities. Her practice is dedicated to helping clients access vital public benefits, empowering them to live independently within their communities. Additionally, Christina represents parents and caregivers navigating community waiver programs, advocating for those facing service denials or reductions in services.
A 2003 graduate of the University of Houston Law Center, Christina holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (Summa Cum Laude) from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas (1997). Her background in social work greatly influences her client-centered approach in her practice.
Christina has held leadership roles within prominent organizations, including serving on the board of directors for the Texas Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the Alzheimer’s Association Houston/Southeast Texas Chapter. Her contributions to the legal field have been recognized with the honor of being named a Texas Rising Star by Texas Monthly in both 2010 and 2011.
A sought-after speaker, Christina frequently presents to professional and community groups. Her past speaking engagements include presentations for Marathon Oil, KBR, the FBI, and regular appearances on Houston’s local FOX station’s “Wake Up Money” segment, where she provided expert insights on Medicaid, elder law, and long-term care planning.
Inspired by her personal experience as a caregiver for her grandfather, who lived with dementia, Christina has dedicated her career to supporting older adults and individuals with special needs. Outside of her legal practice, she enjoys traveling with her sons, Luke and Max, and spending time with her dogs, and teaching yoga.
Bar Admissions: Texas, 2003
Education:
• University of Houston Law Center, Houston, TX, 2003, JD
• Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, 1997, Bachelor of Social Work, Summa Cum Laude
Honors & Awards: Top Lawyer–Best Lawyers Houston Chronicle, 2008
Nora Alegria-Fuentes is a graduate of the University of Houston-Clear Lake with a Bachelor’s Degree in History. Nora’s paralegal/legal assistant background includes personal injury, employment law, civil trial, and administrative law. She was employed with the State of Texas, in varying positions, including being a legal secretary for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and a paralegal for the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services. She was with the State of Texas for thirteen years before joining the Law Office of Christina Lesher, PC, in November 2012, as a Paralegal. She has experience in Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, and Long-Term Care issues and loves to work with our elderly as well as special needs clients. Nora has been a volunteer with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for over 10 years. She has lived in Houston, Texas since 1982 and continues to reside here with her husband, son, daughter-in-law and their two dogs, Mickey and Jenny.
Mayte Alvarez joined the Law Office of Christina Lesher, in April 2015. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Houston-Downtown. Mayte has extensive experience in matters related to Estate Planning, Medicaid Planning, Special Needs Planning, and VA Benefits. She settled in Houston, Texas in 2013 with her husband, Jose Luis, who is a USMC Veteran, her two special needs children, Cecilia and Alex, and their three dogs, Marlo, Oreo, and Phineas. She has been an active member of both the Autism Society Texas Gulf Coast Chapter and Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) Houston Chapter and is a volunteer catechist at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Channelview, Texas.
Erika Villarreal was raised in Jacinto City, located on the east side of Houston, alongside her parents, younger brother, and sister. She earned her Associate of Applied Science degree from San Jacinto College in 2007. Over the years, Erika has developed a deep understanding and interest in various areas of law, with a particular focus on elder law. Since joining the Law Office of Christina Lesher, PC, in December 2018, Erika has been an integral part of the team, helping clients navigate through challenging times by offering support and guidance. Erika resides in the Katy area with her husband, Ray, and their three sons: Nathan, Jacob, and Mason.
Caroline Carlson, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, joined the Law Office of Christina Lesher, PC in January 2021. She graduated from the University of New Haven in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, specializing in Investigative Services. Caroline's interest in law sparked during her senior year of university, leading her to pursue a Master of Law in Human Rights Law at the University of Nottingham in England. There, she discovered the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) program, which converted her criminal justice degree into a British law degree. After earning her GDL from the University of Law, London in 2018, Caroline completed her Legal Practice Course for Solicitors, along with a Master of Law. At the Law Office of Christina Lesher, PC, Caroline assists with the care management side of cases, bringing her diverse legal background and attention to detail to every aspect of her work. Recently, Caroline relocated to Houston, Texas, after a year of remote work. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her cat, Tigger, and volunteering at the Houston SPCA Wildlife of Texas.
Robert Pierce is the care manager at the Law Office of Christina Lesher, P.C., where he has assisted with special needs and long-term care cases for the past ten years.Before working with Ms. Lesher, he earned his B.A. in Psychology from Texas State University. While completing his degree, he worked directly with clients with Traumatic Brain Injuries, special needs, and mental health diagnoses for fifteen years. During that time, he was the program director for residential facilities focused on long-term and behavioral care. He is currently completing his master’s degree in social work with Louisiana State University.He is a frequent speaker at local senior organizations, NASA, and Houston Headquarters for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He has spoken at UT Law’s Annual Special Needs Trust conference, Stetson Law National Conference on Special Needs Trusts and Special Needs Planning, and the Texas Bar Conference. Robert is also a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and a certified case manager.
Marilyn Miller is a solo practitioner, maintaining offices in Austin and Dripping Springs, Texas. She received her JD from the University of Kansas in 1981 and an LLM in Taxation from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1983.
Ms. Miller is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and is a founding member of the Texas Chapter of NAELA. Currently she serves as a Director of the National Elder Law Foundation. She is recognized as a Certified Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation, as recognized by the State Bar of Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1996) and is also board certified as a specialist in Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the State Bar of Texas Board of Legal Specialization (1992).
She is licensed to practice in Texas and Missouri, and is admitted to practice in the Western, Northern and Southern federal District Courts in Texas, the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Tax Court. She is also a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, and the Special Needs Alliance.
She has served as a panelist and presenter at conferences for legal and financial professionals. From 2002 through 2005 she was a lecturer in Estate Planning and Business law in the Finance Department at Southwest Texas State University.
Her community activities include, among others, the YMCA of Austin, where she served as Chair of the Southwest Branch Committee of Managers from 1992-1994, and on the Metropolitan Board of Directors from 1995-2004, and as the first Chair of the new Springs Family Branch; board member United Way of Hays County (1994-2009); former member of the Board of Directors of Helping Hands, a food and financial resource center for those in need in Dripping Springs (1996-2009); Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hill Country Cottages, Inc. in Dripping Springs, a provider of affordable housing for the elderly. Ms. Miller currently sits as the Municipal Judge in Dripping Springs and as a Commissioner of the Hays County Emergency Services District #6.
Bonnie Brown is a solo practitioner in Houston, Texas, and is Of Counsel with the Law Office of Christina Lesher. She received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston School of Law in December, 1972, and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in April, 1973. Before attending law school Bonnie received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Administration in 1969, from Rice University.
Bonnie served as in-house counsel and regional attorney for the Texas Department of Human Services for thirty years where she provided advice and counsel regarding benefit programs and protective services for both children and adults. She has been a solo practitioner since September of 2003 at the Law Office of Bonnie G. Brown, and has provided of-counsel services for the Law Office of Christina Lesher since 2012. For five years, beginning in 2006, she also served part-time as regional attorney for the Texas Commission on Health and Human Services where she provided advice and counsel regarding benefit programs.
Bonnie speaks to local community groups in the area of wills, probate, and advance directives, including the annual Interfaith Caregiver Conference in the Woodlands, the Lavaca County Retired Teachers’ Association, and the Glazier Senior Center.
A Houston native, Bonnie currently resides in the Lindale Park area with her two rescue Golden Retrievers, Belle and Shiner. Bonnie participates in the Houston Volunteer Lawyers Will-a-thon, has been active in Golden Retriever rescue, and is a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo volunteer.