Lifestyle

In Conversation with Legal Expert Aviva Gordon

Published

5 years ago

July 28, 2021

Gordon Law is one of the few boutique firms to practice business law for small-to-medium sized businesses and their owners in Las Vegas, and one of the only law firms of any size to deliver the right balance of personal attention, aggressive representation, and business expertise.

Beyond helping clients with litigation, guidance, planning, advocacy and other legal needs, Gordon Law helps clients anticipate problems before they occur, and solve small problems before they become big problems. We had a chance to interview Aviva Gordon and this is what she shared up with us.

Talk to us about your law practice. How did it all get started for you and what is the inspiration that drives you the most when it comes to helping small business owners be successful?

As a young lawyer, I learned that the area I could affect the most change was in helping businesses and their owners navigate the legal system to better protect and grow their business. My first mentors encouraged me to try all areas of law. I did a few divorces…I managed a few personal injury cases…but I really found my strength in business law. I am perpetually inspired by the innovation, imagination, drive and outright moxie of business owners. Anytime that I can nurture and encourage that, I will.

If you find one moment in your career that stood out the most to you, perhaps a trial or someone who walked into your office, without mentioning names of course, what would it be and why?

There are many such moments and experiences. However, one that stands out is a case that I litigated for a business in Henderson. I had filed a lawsuit on behalf of the current business owners in relation to a dispute with some of their former partners. The case was very strong, however, it would have taken years and hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees to litigate to conclusion. There was a settlement conference early in the process and we were able to settle it. Although there are many cases in which this occurs for me, this one was memorable in that I knew I stood to gain significantly personally and financially by discouraging the settlement, but it never even crossed my mind. Even though it would have meant years of attorneys’ fees coming my way, I encouraged the client to settle the case early so that the business could put the dispute behind it. The business has since grown exponentially.

What is one of the key milestones for you personally that you have achieved and why is that important to you?

There are so many of these. It may sound trite or cliche, but each time a business has benefited from my efforts is a key milestone for me. It’s a tremendous honor for me to earn and keep the trust of my clients — and I strive to do everything within my expertise and experience to represent them and their interests vigorously.

We notice you’re very involved in the Henderson Chamber of Commerce and also work hard to provide helpful workshops to business owners. What motivates you to give back? What do you hope to accomplish? What do you hope others take from your service?

I live in this community and have raised a family here. Giving back to ensure that our business community thrives; thereby ensuring all aspects of our community thrive, is my obligation as a good citizen. I have certain skills and talents as a lawyer and want to be able to contribute those to my community. I think the workshops are helpful for people considering becoming business owners or are new business owners. There are so many things that a new business needs and often owners don’t know what they don’t know. Helping them to form a strong foundation benefits them and our community as a whole.

Bonus Question:

When you’re not in full on attorney mode, what do you enjoy doing most? What makes you smile? What brings you joy?

I have an amazing husband and three fantastic children. Any moment I am not in attorney mode is dedicated to them. There are a few other things I do that fill my cup of joy up. I love hiking and taking in all of the natural beauty that Southern Nevada has to offer. I am an avid reader – typically fiction. I also find myself enjoying cooking for my family more and more.

Visit Gordon Law: http://gordonlawlv.com

Lifestyle

When Seasons Shift: Dr. Leeshe Grimes on Grief, Loneliness, and Finding Light Again

Published

3 days ago

February 22, 2026

Michelle Langton

Some emotional storms arrive without warning. A sudden change in weather, a holiday approaching, or even a bright sunny day can stir feelings that don’t match the world outside. For many people, the hardest seasons are not defined by temperature; they are defined by what’s happening inside, where grief and loneliness often move quietly.

This is the emotional terrain where Dr. Leeshe Grimes has spent her career doing some of her most meaningful work. As a psychotherapist, registered play therapist, retired U.S. Army combat veteran, and founder of Elevated Minds in the DMV area, she understands how deeply seasonal shifts and unresolved grief can affect people. Her upcoming books explore this very space, guiding readers through the emotional weight that can appear during different times of the year.

What sets Dr. Grimes apart is her ability to see clearly what many people overlook. Seasonal depression, for example, is usually tied to winter months. But she often sees it appear during warm, bright seasons, the times when the world seems happiest. For someone already grieving or feeling disconnected, watching others travel, celebrate, or gather can create its own kind of heaviness. Sunshine doesn’t always lift the mood; sometimes it highlights what feels missing.

The same misunderstanding surrounds grief. Society often treats it as a short-term experience with predictable phases and a clean ending. But in her practice, Dr. Grimes sees how grief keeps evolving. It doesn’t disappear on a timeline. It weaves itself into routines, memories, and milestones. People learn to carry it differently, but they rarely leave it behind completely. And that’s not failure, it’s human.

Her approach to mental health centers on truth rather than pressure. She encourages clients to acknowledge the emotions they try to hide: sadness that lingers longer than expected, moments of joy that feel out of place, and the waves of loneliness that return even when life seems stable. Instead of pushing for quick recovery, she focuses on helping people understand how emotions shift and how to care for themselves through those changes.

Much of her insight comes from her military years, where she witnessed the emotional toll of loss, transition, and constant survival. She saw how people continued functioning while carrying pain that had nowhere to go. That experience shaped her belief that healing requires space, space to feel, to speak, and to move through emotions without judgment.

In her clinical work today at Elevated Minds, she encourages people to build small, steady habits that anchor them during difficult seasons. Journaling helps them recognize patterns and name what feels heavy. Community support breaks the cycle of isolation. Therapy creates a place where emotions don’t have to be minimized or explained away. And intentional routines, daily sunlight, mindful breaks, and calm evenings help rebuild emotional balance.

Her upcoming books expand on these ideas, offering practical guidance for navigating both grief and seasonal depression. She focuses on helping readers understand that healing is not about escaping pain. It’s about learning how to live with it in a healthier way, honoring memories, acknowledging loneliness, and still allowing room for moments of light.

What makes Dr. Leeshe Grimes a compelling voice in mental health is her ability to bring language to experiences that many struggle to explain. She reminds people that emotional seasons don’t always match the weather and that there is no single path through grief. But within those shifts, she believes there is always a way forward.

The seasons will continue to change. And with the right tools, compassion, and support, people can change with them, finding steadiness, softness, and light again, one step at a time.