PASSION. EXPERIENCE. SKILL.

Who I Am.

I grew up in Navarro County, Texas. After graduating in the top ten in my class from Corsicana High School in 2006, I went off to Virginia for college and law school. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from Washington & Lee University in 2010, and my law degree from the American University Washington College of Law in 2013.

After law school, God led me back home, to Corsicana. I had the pleasure of starting my legal career as one of the late R. Lowell Thompson’s Assistant District Attorneys, in 2013. During my time as a Navarro County prosecutor, I represented the State of Texas in nearly two thousand criminal cases, protective order hearings, mental health commitments, and asset seizure lawsuits.

In 2016, Corsicana Municipal Judge Mike Russell announced that he would be retiring before his term in office was completed. Mayor Chuck McClanahan appointed me to serve the remainder of Judge Russell’s term. I have since been reelected four times in my own right. Serving as my hometown’s judge is one of the greatest honors of my life.

In 2019, I began accepting criminal appointments and taking on extra clients that did not conflict with my judicial duties.

In 2023 and 2024, I was named as one of the 40 Under 40 for criminal defense in Texas by the National Trial Lawyer’s Association. I was also selected for membership in the Texas Bar College, an organization honoring Texas lawyers who are in the top 4% for continuing study and education in the law. I am a long-time member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA).

In addition to protecting persons’ constitutional rights in court, I try to give back to my community in other ways. I have taught paralegal classes at Navarro College. I am serving or have served on the boards of directors for the United Way of Navarro County (Board President, 2020), Habitat for Humanity of Navarro County (Board Vice President, 2019), the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority, the North Central Texas Council of Governments Criminal Justice Policy Development Committee, the Warehouse Living Arts Center (Vice President, 2023), and the Navarro County Early Childhood Coalition. I have also helped my fellow municipal judges improve their skills as a faculty member for the Texas Municipal Courts Education Center.