Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Dickey.
Hi Courtney, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I originally thought in my younger years, I would become a lawyer and there would be an ‘ah-ha’ moment. But that wasn’t the case at all. I learned that being an attorney is a vehicle for me and not the destination. Being in law has allowed me to network and meet people in many different industries. A foundation in law is very helpful as I pursue more creative and entrepreneurial avenues.
I started my career as a Special Education teacher before I went to law school. My main goal in going to law school was to be involved in School law, somehow. I began my law career doing CPS and juvenile cases before eventually becoming an In-House Counsel and General Counsel of school districts in Texas. Now, my legal services include: in-house services, labor & employment, business, contracts, and real estate law. Transitioning from corporate environments to an Entrepreneur Attorney has been exciting. It feels trailblazing.
As much as I love the law as a subject and as a profession, I have other interests and I love other industries as well. Being a lawyer allows me to tap into many areas. I can combine passionate projects with my professional skills. I have been blessed with a curated, individualized career path.
Working hard and playing hard is certainly a principle I live by. Whether playtime is a luxury trip, a girls’ night, or pizza and Netflixing with the coziest blanket, balance is key. Socially, my strength is what I call “casting”. When I have a dinner or themed event, my invites seem to balance out perfectly and everyone has the best time. I recently had dinner celebrations in Houston and Atlanta and the laughs and fellowship were authentically and painfully joyful. A healthy, positive, and encouraging network is a value that cannot be quantified.
I often look back on when I was a child, and I ask myself, “Did I become who I always wanted to be?” The answer to that is yes. Yes, because I have accomplished almost all of my goals while staying true to myself, and I have had a blast doing it. I enjoy life and maintain optimism as much as possible, I have been blessed to overcome everything sent to distract me. God blessed me to learn how to advocate for my own future, and every day I am grateful for the opportunity to do just that.
I remain actively involved with my beloved HBCU, Prairie View A&M University, where I received my Bachelor’s and my first Master’s degree. My graduate institution, Texas A&M University, provided an experience of a lifetime, where I studied and lived abroad all over the Tuscany region of Italy. Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University has an elite alumni base of attorneys and legal representatives, and I am honored to be in that number. I am currently an MBA student at the Mecca that is Howard University. Upon my set date of a 2023 graduation, we will be celebrating what I call my 5th and FINAL degree!
Another major part of my life is health and wellness. As a premature baby, I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy at birth, which resulted in an enlarged heart and a ventricular defect that left a hole in my heart. I also had asthma. My father is a Hall of Fame former professional football player. From what I hear, I literally learned how to walk, dance, and run all at the same time. I began ballet, tap, and jazz at three. And I’ve been physically fit and active ever since. Racing and beating boys at sports is nothing new to me, LOL.
Throughout high school and college, I participated in sports and excelled greatly. However, college sports did not lead to the professional athlete life like it did for my father. While attending PVAMU, I received an academic scholarship in addition to my athletic scholarship. I opted to focus on my academics. Shortly after I obtained my Bachelor’s degree, I also graduated with my first Master’s degree from PV as well, with the remaining scholarship money I had leftover.
At the age of 26, I attended my cardiologist for my regular annual appointments. At this particular appointment, I learned that the heart defects had been completely healed and I was officially released to “play ball”. The whole time I was participating in sports, I had been advised not to participate in physical activities. I am so grateful my parents saw the passion of sports in my soul and allowed me to continue to play. At 26, I ran my first mile in the doctor’s office without the looming cloud over my head that I should not be doing this. Now, I workout ALL the time, just like I always have, but now without the medical concerns. I wholeheartedly believe fitness and wellness saved my life and healed my heart!
At 39 years old, I thought I would be over it by now. But it seems like I get more fit and even stronger every day. I thought the days of being a public fitness person were beyond my reach. In the era of social media and currently having the best body I’ve ever had, maybe those days aren’t over just yet!
You can expect to see me more involved in real estate matters, providing in-house services to small businesses, and becoming more active with my creative side.
As a Texas resident, Atlanta has always opened its arms with an abundance of support and familiar Southern Hospitality. I enjoy Buckhead and Downtown each time I am in town. I am excited to expand my professional services and social events to Atlanta and surrounding areas. I look forward to embarking upon this new chapter of infinite opportunities. Professionally, creatively, and socially there is more to come, and Atlanta is a part of that!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has NOT been a smooth road, but it has been fair. I remember keeping a blanket in my car to catch a nap any moment time permitted while I was studying for the Bar exam. I studied in the church right across the street from school, I took naps in there while studying for the Bar for twelve hours a day. I became quite the connoisseur of tuna fish packets and Subway sandwiches. But I passed the exam on the first try and I owe that all to God and the people who supported me, I needed the room to focus, and it paid off.
In my second year of law school, I was a server at Cheesecake Factory. I’d keep my uniform in the car and change clothes after class to make it to my shift at 5pm. On weekends, I worked double shifts to pay my rent. It’s so rewarding to have customers from my time as a server see my journey and remember those days. Some have even become clients. Definitely full circle. I also was a Bartender for community events and for the Houston Texans games. Long days and nights, while studying notes on my phone at work when no one was looking! Lol
I have a wonderful support system of family and friends who sent encouraging words and FOOD all along the way. What I most appreciated was the space to focus fully and intentionally on the task at hand. I can already be introverted and autonomous at times, but not a single person took my distance as shadiness. I could peacefully use all my energy to achieve my goal, and everyone showed up to celebrate three years later at my graduation. I thank God for my tribe.
At times, I also provided personal training services. Fitness has always been second nature and a significant part of my life. I have always been selective about choosing my clients because my time can be limited with other endeavors. After studying for the Bar for 12 hours, I would go to the gym at midnight and finish up around 2am. Fitness allows me to stay centered as I navigate so many other areas of my life. It is my safe haven for my personal release and growth. I absolutely despise working out in the evenings LOL, but it feels good to look back and see that my discipline and priorities have taken me far.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As an attorney, I specialize in Labor & Employment, Real Estate, and Contracts. I am known for providing In-House Counsel services to individuals, small businesses, and organizations.
What sets me apart from others is my vast experience with advising different industries of the legal risks of their business structures and policies and individualized strategic planning to accomplish their goals.
I am most proud of the renaissance path my brand has taken. I planned for my career to be pretty mild, serving the community, with financial security in an 8-5 format. Apparently, there is much more planned for the use of the skills and the network I have acquired. God has more for us than we can think or imagine. I certainly planned to be an In-House Counsel when I went to law school. However, I did not plan for all that was to come after that. My professional brand and my personal brand alike stay relevant each decade by reviving and building on the work that has already been done in a way that works for me.
I am also very proud of the fact that I am upon completion of my #fifthandfinal degree with student loans only in the amount that reflects my law degree, of which I also received a partial scholarship. I am certain many people hear five degrees and immediately think of student loans. I am extremely blessed to receive so much education and so many opportunities with a frugal approach. I am so grateful I was able to receive scholarships and financial assistance for the majority of my academic career. I implore everyone looking to advance in academics to take scholarship research very seriously. Keeping your grades and GPA high will definitely help your process.
Word of mouth and referrals have been keeping me busier than I ever imagined. It may be time to hire an Assistant!
In addition to providing legal services, I also provide consulting for career counseling and health and wellness.
I have more experience as a fitness professional than a corporate professional. Providing team-building fitness programs and events for organizations and corporations has been increasingly satisfying. Helping people understand more about health and wellness in a way that is fun and sustainable has been my pleasure!
If you are looking for: guidance and direction regarding legal matters individually or within your corporation, career counseling and strategic planning to help you reach your personal career goals, health and wellness, or assistance with social events please reach out to me and we will cover all of your bases! With extensive and specialized experience in each enumerated area, I am sure I will undoubtedly contribute to your desired results.
As I transition into this new phase of freedom, flexibility, and growth, everyone can lookout for my new website coming soon… at the beginning of the year! Until then, I can always be reached via email or DM on social media. Instagram is @fromtheecourt and Facebook is under Courtney Dickey.
What matters most to you? Why?
Both intangibles and understanding matter the most to be. Intangibles and good character keep you rooted and grounded in your advancement throughout life. Being able to correctly account and assess a matter that stands before you is a valuable trait. Intangibles are the foundation of which your legacy is built. Not only personally but also professionally. Personally, one would want to display integrity, honesty, accountability, determination, compassion, humor, and discipline to name a few of my favorites. Professionally and legally, consider intangibles like patents, trademarks, software licensing, and brand recognition. Understanding what is being requested or advised and being able to deliver based on mutual assent is my favorite part about teamwork. Understanding a common goal and having the intangible qualities to navigate through the task is a foundational aspect of collaboration and desired results.
Contact Info:
- Email: fromtheecourt@gmail.com
- Instagram: @fromtheecourt
- Facebook: Courtney Dickey
