What drew you to the law?
As an undergraduate, I developed a keen interest in logic, rhetoric, writing, and history. The law allowed me to leverage those interests into a tool for serving others — and to make a living doing what I love.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
Every law school promises to teach students to “think like a lawyer,” but few can define what that means. My passion is breaking the “think like a lawyer” process into discreet steps and teaching those steps to law students. Facilitating and observing the change in students’ thought processes is what I enjoy most about teaching.
What do you hope students gain from your courses?
My students will learn to think and write like lawyers, in the best sense of both verbs. They will learn the step-by-step process of thoroughly analyzing an issue based on the applicable rules and relevant evidence. And they will learn to express their analysis in clear, concise, and technically excellent writing.
What did you do prior to entering academia?
I was a staff attorney for the Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth and a name partner in a Fort Worth litigation firm, where my practice focused on civil trials and appeals.
What are you passionate about outside of the law?
Sailing, backpacking, barbeque, and spending as much time as possible with my wife and five kids.
What are your research interests?
My research focuses on legal pedagogy, logic and legal writing.