I was born and raised in Texarkana, Texas. I received a B.A in History from Texas A&M University in 1982 and an M.A in history from the University of Georgia in 1991. I have been a teacher and I have owned and managed a phone book directory and a dry cleaners. In 2002, I graduated from law school at the University of Texas and was admitted to the bar in the same year. I was a member of the Texas Legal Research Board in law school and a research assistant for professor Ernest E. Smith who specializes in oil and gas law. I am a member of the Harrison County Bar Association, and I practice in the federal courts in the Eastern and Southern Districts of Texas as well as the United States Tax Court.
