He has been a member of the Texas Bar since 1975 and he is admitted to the United States District Court and the Eastern District of Texas. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin with Honors. He has previously served as Cherokee County Bar President, as well as on the Jacksonville City Council and on the Board of Directors of the East Texas Council of Governments. Currently a member of the Texas Bar Foundation, as well as other organizations, he has a strong sense of civic duty which is evidenced by his magnanimous service to his community.