Valencia Rashelle Carter-Bennett
Valencia Rashelle Carter‑Bennett is a licensed attorney based in Dallas, Texas, with over a decade of experience in legal practice and community advocacy. She began her legal career in federal government service before expanding into private practice, where she now focuses on estate planning, wills, and probate law. Her mission is to help families protect their legacies and build generational wealth through accessible and effective legal solutions.
Originally from Louisiana, Valencia earned her undergraduate degree in Legal Studies/Pre-Law from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and her law degree from Southern University Law Center. She is licensed to practice in both Louisiana and Texas.
In response to the growing need for legal education in underserved communities, Valencia launched free virtual workshops and a signature “5-Day Will Creation Challenge,” helping individuals understand the importance of estate planning. She has led numerous live virtual events, delivered keynotes, and hosted interactive sessions that break down complex legal processes into practical, affordable steps.
Beyond her legal work, Valencia is a passionate advocate for mental health, caregiving, financial literacy, and personal empowerment. She is also a published author and frequently speaks on topics that inspire resilience and informed decision-making.
• Mediation
• University of Louisiana Monroe - BA
• Southern University Law Center - JD, Law
• The University of Texas at Arlington - MS
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the deep passion I have for the work I do and my unwavering commitment to justice. What drives me every day is the opportunity to serve others in meaningful, impactful ways. I've been fortunate to use my skills and voice to advocate for some of the most vulnerable among us—children who have experienced unthinkable trauma. Helping survivors of sexual assault, particularly those harmed on school grounds by the very individuals entrusted with their care, has been both heartbreaking and profoundly motivating. Through this work, I’ve come to understand the power of persistence, empathy, and truth. Supporting these children and their families as they seek accountability and healing has shaped not only my career but my personal mission. It's this purpose that fuels my dedication, sharpens my focus, and keeps me grounded in the belief that justice must always be pursued with courage and compassion.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't chase the money; provide excellent work and the money will come.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be yourself authentically wherever you go; there's no need to code switch or put on a persona when you and your talent are the draw.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the legal profession is burn out. Similarly to those in the medical profession, attorneys are always on call; our phones are always on and we always have at least one eye on our inbox ready to respond to an urgent email. Even while on vacation recently I had to call into a court because my colleague and I were accused of filing documents to misinform the court about a custody situation and the judge wouldn’t allow my colleague to leave the courtroom until I arrived. As I stated I was on vacation out of state so the best I could do is call to tell the judge that I was not aware of any protective order nor was my colleague so the judge decided that our client lied to us rather assuming we were intentionally misleading the court. When things like this occur over and over again it disrupts our downtime so that we don’t get to relax and decompress fully. The alcohol and substance abuse rates in the profession are astronomical and unfortunately so are the suicide rates. We as a profession need to do a better job of tending to our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, compassion, and self care.