I made the decision to become an attorney as a Junior in High School in 1975.
I made the decision to become an attorney as I saw first hand what limited or no access to legal aid could do to a poor person. I believed then and now that if I could become an attorney I could always make sure I made myself available to answer legal questions and talk to people so as to provide what comfort I could even if they could not or did not hire me.
I come from a very poor family in fact when I was born my father was a sharecrop farmer in Missouri.
I believe the client comes first not the money. I believe the job must be completed as much as possible even at the risk of not getting paid.
I believe every person's problems are huge to them even if most would not agree.
I believe all people deserve representation to the best of my ability even if they are guilty as charged or civilly in the wrong.
I paid for my own education through work and student loans and while I went through many hard times I remained focused on becoming an attorney. I would work half the year to earn money for one semester of school. I even joined the Army at age 30 to get the GI bill aid and to serve my country as many of my family had and are doing.
I entered law school without an undergraduate degree (a rare event) and I overcame many other obstacles but in the end, I obtained a BSL (Bachelor of Science in Law) from National University and I used the first year of law school to get that.
I graduated from law school in 1995 and I have been in the same location since 1998.
