My mother was a schoolteacher. She taught me to read before I started kindergarten. She instilled in me a life-long curiosity and desire to learn.  Once I started school, she took advantage of the push to integrate schools and enrolled me in the best public schools. Through her colleagues, she identified a scholarship fund that placed minority youth in top private schools. As a result, I became a boarding student at the Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Ga. in the ninth grade. It was co-ed, it was not a military school and I was not sent there against my will or to straighten me out. Per my parents, I told them I wanted to go and that I wanted to be my own man – at the age of 14!

My education continued at Morehouse College, also in Atlanta. (They say you can tell a Morehouse man, but you can’t tell him much!) Westminster was in the wealthiest area of Atlanta and Morehouse was in an area justifiably called the “bottom.” The cultural differences were just as vast. I learned to appreciate jazz, black literature and art. I learned for the first time the extent and validity of African-
American culture that has thrived despite the historical deprivations. I often remark that I straddle both cultures to my benefit.

I left Atlanta for Austin, Texas and the University of Texas Law School. I found that I wasn’t really that excited about most classes until I got involved with a criminal law clinic which opened my eyes to trial law and litigation. After graduation,  I tried over a hundred cases as a prosecutor in Austin and eventually tried a number of civil jury trials as an Assistant Attorney General. I moved to Dallas and worked for the top personal injury firm there. This job taught me the basics of what I do today. 

Since then I have handled hundreds more civil matters and tried about 50 civil cases to successful verdict. I have been a speaker and author at dozens of  legal seminars. I have resided and practiced in Seattle since 2009, but I still handle Texas cases.

My focus today is largely on medical malpractice, civil rights, products liability and significant negligence matters. My experience has taught me how to work up the cases in preparation for trial and to conduct the trials. My experience has taught me how to win and I bring that mindset to each of my cases. You never stop learning in this field -new law, new witnesses and new fact scenarios. I am proud to join Stritmatter as an of counsel. I learn from them and they learn from me. I cannot think of a finer group of lawyers to practice with and this association will only benefit our clients.