What drew you to the law?

I fell in love with the subject in college while taking a course on Constitutional Law. The history, policy and complex arguments were fascinating to me. And the more I learned about law, the more I saw it as a powerful tool to improve people’s lives — and the more I saw lawyers as playing a vital role in ensuring that justice is served.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

The students. With the possible exception of playing second base for the Rangers, I can’t imagine a more rewarding job than helping students discover the law and hone their skills of legal reasoning and communication. We work through extremely difficult material in class, and it’s always fun to see students finally put together the kind of legal analyses they will need in the practice of law.

What do you hope students gain from your courses?

Beyond an understanding of the substantive law we cover, I hope students come away from my courses with an appreciation for how important the role of the lawyer is in society. Lawyers have duties to their clients and broader society, which require that they operate with the highest integrity and professionalism.

What did you do prior to entering academia?

I practiced law with firms in Washington, D.C. (international litigation) and Austin, Texas (environmental law and water rights).

What are you passionate about outside of the law?

My family. I love spending time with my wife and three kids, including helping to coach my kids’ baseball and softball teams. I also like to bake, especially if it’s been a long day at the office.

What are your research interests?

My research has focused primarily on housing rights and how existing laws can better protect vulnerable tenants against harassment. I have also written on procedural issues involving the litigation of human rights claims in U.S. courts.