PRACTICE DESCRIPTION
My practice is devoted almost exclusively to adoption law, which includes independent domestic adoption; agency domestic adoption; international adoption; interstate (ICPC) adoption; special needs adoption; contested adoption; grandparent, stepparent and other family adoptions; Texas Department of Family and Protective Services/foster care adoptions; mediation; cases involving the Indian Child Welfare Act; and adoption agency representation. I also practice in the fields of appellate law and assisted reproduction.
EDUCATION
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock (J.D. cum laude 2005)
- Political Science, Texas Tech University (B.A. magna cum laude 2002)
- English, Texas Tech University (B.A. magna cum laude 2002)
PROFESSIONAL ADMISSIONS
- State Bar of Texas, 2005
- United States Supreme Court
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court, Northern District of Texas
- United States District Court, Southern District of Texas
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- United States District Court, Western District of Texas
ACTIVITIES
- Fellow, Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys
- Advisor, Uniform Law Commission
- Member, National Council for Adoption
- Member, North American Council on Adoptable Children
- Member, National Indian Child Welfare Association
- Member, Texas Family Law Foundation
- Member, Tarrant County Family Law Bar Association
- Member, Tarrant County Bar Association
- Member, The College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member, Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas
- Member, Christian Alliance for Orphans
- Top Attorney – Fort Worth Texas Magazine, 2014-2020
- Top Attorney, Rising Star – Texas Monthly, 2013, 2014, 2015 &2016
- Top Attorney – 360 West, 2017-2020
- Top Attorney – 76107 Magazine, 2017-2020
- Tarrant County Volunteer Attorney Services
- Co-Chair, Tarrant County National Adoption Day
- I serve on charitable boards in the community
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLICATIONS
- “International Adoption Law,” East meets West International Adoption Conference, May 2007
- “Ethical Considerations in Client Representation,” Parker County Bar Association, June 2007
- “Ethics in Adoption,” American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, August 2011
- “Parenting Never Ends,” Beyond Borders Adoption Conference, October 2011
- “Introduction to Adoption Law,” Law Review CLE, April 2012
- “Texas Adoption Practice,” American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Annual Conference, May 2012
- “Ask an Attorney,” Chosen Ones – Adoptive and Foster Care Ministry, February 2013
- “We Are Home – Now What,” Children of All Nations, May 2013
- “Fostering to Adopt,” ONEless Ministries, May, 2013
- “Legal Road to Adoption,” The Gladney Center for Adoption Family Support Group, June 2013
- “Death and Adoption,” American Academy of Adoption Attorneys Summer Camp, July 2013
- “Adoption Litigation Seminar,” American Academy of Adoption Attorneys, September 2013
- “Nuts and Bolts of International Adoption,” The Gladney Center for Adoption, June 2014
- Top 10 Things Adoption Professionals Need to Know About the Law,” National Council For Adoption Annual Conference, June 2014
- “What Adoption Professionals Need to Know About the Law,” National Council for Adoption, November 2014
- “What Adoptive Parents Need to Know About Social Security Numbers,” National Council for Adoption, September 2016
- “Top 10 Things Your Attorney Wants You to Know,” National Council for Adoption, June 2017
- “Adoption 101 Basics and Beyond,” State Bar of Texas Webinar, August 2017
- “Post Adoption Contact Agreements, To Promote Court Enforceability or Not?” Adoption Advocate, National Council for Adoption, August 2018
- “What You Need to Know About the Indian Child Welfare Act,” Texas Child Care Administrators Conference, October 2018
- “Post Adoption Contact Agreements: To Promote Court Enforceability or Not?” National Council for Adoption, Adoption Advocate, June 2018
- “Handling You First (or Next) Termination &Adoption,” Texas Bar CLE, Course Director, November, 2018
- “A Child’s Right to Family,” Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, June 2019
