Why I became a lawyer!
I truly believe that it has always been in blood/DNA. I have always, in some way, wanted to, or have been, someone willing to defend others, even when that person was unwilling to defend themselves. I have always been that one person who looks at things a little differently than others and is absolutely willing to present a different idea, even in a room full of people who vehemently disagree. As a matter of fact, I honestly feel the most comfortable in those situations. Over the last 20 or 30 years, there have been so many times that I wished I were an attorney and could have either represented myself or someone I loved. I guess it’s just in me.
My father often recounted a poignant story about how our family lost valuable land due to a lack of understanding about Heirship property rights. This incident took place in Kansas, where my grandfather had left behind some property after he and my grandmother passed away in the early 1970s. Most of our family, however, had settled in Texas, far removed from the property that, unbeknownst to us, was falling victim to manipulation.
According to my father, a developer managed to sway one of our older relatives, convincing them to “sign away” the property for an absurdly low price. This relative, unfortunately, lacked the knowledge of the land’s true worth and did not fully comprehend their rights as a property owner. I remember listening intently to my father share this story, feeling a mixture of anger and sadness for what our family had lost due to this unfortunate misstep.
After my dad passed away a few years ago, I found myself reflecting even more on that story. It became a catalyst for my decision to go to law school, something I had been accepted into twice before but never pursued because the timing never felt right. My desire to attend law school was not just a personal ambition; it was also a tribute to my father and a way for me to heal from his loss.
The tale of our family’s hardship continues to resonate deeply within me. With this experience as my guiding light, I’ve dedicated my legal practice to property rights issues. I want to ensure that no one else suffers the same fate as my family, and I strive to provide the education and advocacy necessary to protect individuals from similar injustices.