HOUSTON – A Houston-area criminal defense attorney is feeling the impact of rising gas prices, not just on her own wallet, but on her employees as well.
Bianca Santorini, who runs a criminal defense law practice and travels hundreds of miles each week to courthouses, client meetings, and depositions, says the recent spike in gasoline prices has become impossible to ignore.
In just two months, gas prices have jumped more than a dollar per gallon, adding significant strain to her daily commute and business operations.
Santorini says the financial pressure extends beyond her own travel.
As the owner of a 10-person law firm and a mother of four, she noticed her staff was also struggling to keep up with transportation costs.
“I saw my employees struggling. A lot of them have children, and we’re getting squeezed from all sides,” Santorini said.
In response, she made a major workplace change, shifting to a hybrid schedule that allows employees to work from home two days a week, with plans to potentially expand remote work further in the future.
The adjustment, she says, is designed to ease financial stress while maintaining productivity in the office.
Santorini hopes other business owners consider similar flexibility as families continue to feel the impact of rising fuel costs.
For drivers looking for ways to save, free mobile apps like GasBuddy and Gas Guru can help locate the cheapest fuel prices nearby.
Membership warehouse clubs such as Costco and Sam’s Club also often offer discounted gas rates compared to traditional stations.