I grew up in a small East Texas town, near the Big Thicket.  People were poor, and the economy was always tough.  Services such as mental health providers, counseling, and educational classes were few and far between.  I saw then, as a young girl, that people were never going to change their ways of living if they never knew HOW to change, or WHY they should.  My mother worked for 40 years in special education, and raised my sister and I with a healthy respect for people with disabilities, and a tremendous appreciation for the gifts we were given.  All of these circumstances, as well as my desire to help others who are lost in the maze of the criminal justice system, culminated in my ambition to be a criminal defense lawyer at the age of 11.

I followed my dream, through its many twists and turns, and stuck with it - even when the obstacles seemed insurmountable.  I know that I can inspire my clients to do the same, and the emotional reward for both of us is something that cannot be quantified. 

I am also an avid live-music supporter, and country/swing dancer.  This often lends to healthy discussions with my musician friends, about how justice is administered in our society.  Fortunately, I can say that not many of them get into trouble, so it's mainly a hobby for me.