About Me

I was born in Springfield, Missouri and raised in Hallsville, Texas. When I was growing up, school was a big passion of mine. I especially loved reading, writing, and being able to find unique solutions to problems. For me, these interests never went away, and they were something that I wanted to incorporate into whatever I did in life. That’s why as I got older, I decided to pursue a career as an English teacher – at least for a few years.

As a teacher, I discovered that I had a unique ability to explain new concepts to my students in a way that was easy for them to understand. This made teaching extremely rewarding, especially seeing how it helped my students. Even with that, though, I still felt like teaching wasn’t the right fit for me. It’s not that I disliked it, but I wanted to do something more. I wanted to do something that would give me the ability to address challenges while helping people in ways that could really make a difference in their lives. After thinking about this for a while, I decided that law school was the next step for me. It was a big decision, but I felt like it was the right move for me. Even though I went into law unsure of what area I wanted to practice, I was inspired by the sheer number of possibilities offered in the practice of law.

Once I became an attorney and started practicing law, I realized that I had made the right decision. In this line of work, not only do I get to solve problems on a regular basis, but in doing so I solve problems that make a real impact on the lives of my clients and their loved ones. It makes me happy that I can do something that’s important and can make a difference in people’s lives. I even get to use that ability to explain new concepts to clients who don’t understand how estate planning, real estate, or probate work.

Being a good attorney is about more than knowing the law. It’s about giving each client the individual attention and support they need.

CUSTOM LEGAL SOLUTIONS

Every client I meet has a unique story and concerns they want to address. These concerns can range from “I don’t want my grandson to blow his inheritance in two weeks” to “I don’t know anything about tax planning. Where should I start?” The more I learn about these kinds of details, the more information I have to help map out what exactly should be going into each specific estate plan — or marital agreement, or business contract, or whatever other legal situation we may be looking at. Fortunately for my clients, this is an area where I thrive, and that means they get solutions. I understand that cases don’t work on a “one-size-fits-all” basis, so understanding the ins and outs of their situation allows me to create the solutions that fit them best.

I can’t speak for my clients; however, a lot of them send friends and family members to me. To me, this means that they are referring their friends and family because they like how I approach my practice and they appreciate what I’ve been able to do for them. To make sure that I continue this level of quality service, I work to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the law. I also remind my clients regularly that they are welcome to bring any questions or concerns to me so I can address them. I believe that having this level of transparency and open communication with my clients is key to a good relationship with them.

OUTSIDE THE OFFICE

When I’m at work, my focus is 100% on my clients. When I’m outside the office, my world revolves around my wonderful wife and two children. I’m thrilled to report that my children have embraced the joy of reading books. As a former English teacher, this could not make me happier.

BAR ADMISSIONS

• Texas (2005)
  

EDUCATION

• Juris Doctor – University of Tulsa, College of Law (2005)
• Master of Arts – Stephen F. Austin State University (2000)
• Bachelor of Arts – Texas Tech University (1998)
  

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

• State Bar of Texas, Member of the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section
• College of the State Bar of Texas, an honor society that recognizes and represents lawyers who make an extraordinary commitment to professional education (2014 – present)
• East Texas Estate Planning Council (2015-present)
• NAELA (National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys) (2015-2016)
• Cumberland Academy, Tyler, Texas, Board Member (2010 – 2025)
• Bethel Bible Church, Deacon (2014 – 2020), Elder (2020-2023)
• Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity