I was born in West Texas in a small town named Andrews. When I was four my family moved to Bakersfield, Calif., which oddly was similar to Andrews in climate, political leanings and culture.
I graduated from Bakersfield High School and applied to several universities. My final two choices were Florida A&M University and Florida State University. I choose FAMU because of its journalism department and overall hospitality. I graduated with a journalism degree in 2000 and worked mainly as an entertainment reporter throughout the South and Midwest.
I decided to go to law school after six years as a professional reporter. I applied to several law schools and was accepted to McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento, Calif. I graduated in 2010.
I've had the opportunity to intern for several organizations including the Governor's Office of Legal Affairs. I recently volunteered as a law clerk for the Legal Services of the Virgin Islands where I spent three months researching, writing and working with impoverished clients on the island of St. Thomas while reporting for the VI Source, a local online publication that covers St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix. I also cover legal issues in the Bakersfield area for the Examiner.com.
Currently I'm interning for a Canadian business and immigration law firm in Beijing. The firm is called Harvey Law Group and they specialize in helping Chinese businessmen invest in targeted areas in the U.S. and abroad in exchange for expedited permanent legal residency status for their families. The internship is one-month in duration. The internship entails researching potential investments, legal research and legal writing.
Once I return to the states, I will continue reporting for the VI Source and Examiner.com. I have also been selected for training as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children in Kern County. This process entails gaining information on neglected and abused children and reporting this data to judges in family court. Unfortunately time may not permit me to fulfill this obligation.
I currently live in Reno, Nevada, with my wife but we plan to leave after her contract ends in December to relocate to Fresno, Calif., which is closer to where I grew up. I can supply photos at a later date.
My long-term goal is to eventually specialize in international intellectual property law while continuing to use my journalism background to research and write about legal issues.
Current Whereabouts:
Freelancing
Intellectual Property
International Travel and International Legal Studies
Independent Films
Politics
Life & Professional Aspirations:
To become an entertainment attorney with specialities in intellectual property and international law
My most recent accomplishment is securing this one-month internship with Harvey Law Group, a Canadian business and immigration law firm with more than 16 offices in 14 countries. I'm interning in their Beijing office.
The internship was secured through CRCC Asia, a group that selects students throughout the world for internships in Beijing and Shanghai. It was a competitive process that includes an interview, resume, cover letter and placement process.
I also wrote a story for the VI Source examining the correlation between violence in the Virgin Islands and particular nightclubs. There were more than 460 shootings and stabbings in the territory since 2003 and 37 of those were inside a nightclub, right outside a nightclub or coming to or from a nightclub. This story involved combing through police reports and homicide statistics as well as interviewing local club owners and business owners.
The story created a dialogue among the residents involving the difference between the correlation of violence and nightclubs and if that meant there was causation between the two. The local police seemed to think drugs and alcohol were more accurate indicators of potential violence than nightclubs were. But residents and business owners were not so sure.
Law Examiner|
Examiner.com
From June 2013 to Current • 13 year(s)
Writing news articles involving legal issues while covering Bakersfield, Fresno and Central California area.
Freelance Writer|
VI Source
From May 2013 to Current • 13 year(s)
Writing features and news articles while covering the East End/Red Hook area for the island of St. Thomas.
Law Clerk Volunteer|
Legal Services of the Virgin Islands
From May 2013 to July 2013 • 0 year(s)
Providing legal research and legal writing while attending depositions, mediations and trials and providing legal support in the form of client screening, completing client intake interviews and data entry of client and case information.
Research Analyst|
California Parole Advocacy Program
From March 2011 to July 2011 • 0 year(s)
Data redaction of parolee information and prepared memos analyzing criminal backgrounds, police files, etc.
Intern|
Governor's Office of Legal Affairs
From February 2010 to April 2010 • 0 year(s)
Prepared briefs, memorandums and recommendations for Governor on impending parole cases. Researched and prepared memorandums on Governor's clemency, parole authority and state litigation.
Independent Contractor|
Aqua Tech
From April 2008 to June 2008 • 0 year(s)
Marketed and sold cleaning units to prospective buyers and garnered commission based on sales.
Intern|
California Lawyers for the Arts
From August 2007 to November 2007 • 0 year(s)
Data entry and managed member database, promoted events and provided technical support at events.
Law Clerk|
Dreyer, Babich, Buccola, Wood & Campora
From February 2007 to June 2007 • 0 year(s)
Completed interrogatories and medical summaries and prepared memorandums on media coverage of cases. Provided customer service, prepared clients and represented firm at medical examinations.
File Clerk, Admissions Office/Attendant, Recreational Center|
Pacific McGeorge School of Law
From August 2005 to February 2007 • 2 year(s)
Updated admission folders, organized student admission index and monitored Recreational Center for safety.
Vote Canvasser|
California Grassroots Mobilization
From May 2006 to August 2006 • 0 year(s)
Registered absentee voters in Placer County and garnered commission based on locating potential voters.
Entertainment Writer|
Herald & Review
From October 2004 to June 2005 • 1 year(s)
Wrote daily articles and weekly column that covered local bands and arts community. Persuaded editors to allow my articles to steer entertainment coverage toward more youth-oriented topics.
Entertainment Writer & Columnist|
The Telegraph
From September 2002 to June 2004 • 2 year(s)
Held focus groups to reshape content and expanded scope of entertainment coverage through weekly column.
Reporter|
The Sun News
From January 2001 to September 2002 • 1 year(s)
Coordinated two-week effort to spotlight a replica slave ship including traveling on ship for four days. Cultivated police/municipal government beat that covered Georgetown County and southern Horry County.
Features Copy Editor/Intern|
San Jose Mercury News
From June 2000 to August 2000 • 0 year(s)
Edited copy and wrote enterprising stories including feature on local underground hip-hop scene.
Features/Metro Reporter/Intern|
Bakersfield Californian
From June 1999 to August 1999 • 0 year(s)
Wrote several enterprising stories including project showing comprehensive look at West Coast hip-hop.
Metro Reporter/Intern|
The Courier Journal
From May 1998 to August 1998 • 0 year(s)
Wrote several enterprising stories including story about the gaudy color scheme of a historic building.
Features Reporter/Intern|
The Shreveport Times
From May 1997 to August 1997 • 0 year(s)
Wrote several enterprising stories including story about a popular video by then-unknown artist Master P.
