For Random Profiles, we randomly pick one of our 94,000-plus attorneys and do a Q&A. We’ve found that every Texas lawyer has an interesting story. Will yours be next?
Best thing about being a lawyer: tomorrow will be different
What’s the turning point that made you decide to become an attorney? I was the geek in elementary school who thought Perry Mason was cool. What I always wanted to do.
Who are the people you admire most, and why? My parents, because no one told them to slow down.
Born/Age: Feb. 15, 1961/Age: 53 (too old)
Family: Married with 2 great kids; Wife M’Lissa is a teacher in Richardson ISD; one daughter (Kelsey) is a pediatric physical therapist at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston; the other daughter (Kendall) is a sophomore chemical engineering major at the University of Texas-Austin
Areas of practice: Commercial trial law with an emphasis in intellectual property work
Education: Baylor B.B.A. 1983 (Sic’em Bears; accounting major); J.D. S.M.U. School of Law 1991, cum laude
Likes: Sonic Ice
Bad habit: Chewing Sonic Ice
Doesn’t: Listen to his dentist about chewing Sonic ice
Is not good at: Karaoke. That is not true. Is horrible at Karaoke.
Culinary talent: Grilling steaks in the dark
What kind of car do you drive? Old reliable Honda Pilot
Community Involvement: First Methodist Richardson, Richardson Public Schools, and various youth sporting organizations
Mentors/heroes: Parents, who are the best humans I know; Scott Brister, who was the best judge I ever tried a case in front of; Erin Dwyer, who is the best lawyer I ever knew; and M’Lissa Howen who is the best teacher ever and puts up with me on a daily basis.
Most important career lesson: Be nice to the bailiff. (Thanks to Mark Davenport for that one.)
Latest pursuit: Reading a biography of every U.S. president; William Henry Harrison was such an interesting cat!
Current Project: Checkout Lonestarfair.com; helped my wife with that one.
Favorite saying/quote: Hello win column.
Pet peeve: Whiners, particularly rich ones.
When they do the film about you, what actor should portray you? Tom Hanks?
Secret for staying young: Hang out with older people
Favorite plays: Hairspray; Phantom of the Opera
Favorite TV program: The Sopranos
Favorite artist: Edward Hopper
Favorite composers: Lennon/McCartney; Henley/Frey
Favorite album: You can check in but you can never leave…Hotel California
Favorite musician: Keb’ Mo, the greatest acoustic blues guitarist of our era. Check out “Just Like You.”
Favorite place to find albums: a time machine. It is all about the download.
Favorite movie: Diner
The last movie I saw was: The Lunchbox
Favorite magazine: Sports Illustrated
Favorite sport: Basketball as played by the San Antonio Spurs
Favorite food: Barbecue
Favorite restaurant: Tough. I am going to go with Black’s in Lockhart.
Where to be found on a Saturday night: Angelika Plano. Best theater in Dallas
Hobbies: Remembering when I worked out; anything Baylor related; golf; crosswords; reading
Collects: memories
Memorable vacation: Touring Great Britain with my wife and my parents
My favorite weekend retreats are: Used to be Floyd Casey Stadium; will now be Drayton McClane Stadium
If I had more time, I would: learn Spanish
Biggest misconception about me: my actual weight. I am much skinnier than I appear.
What most people don’t know about me: I cry when really good things happen but not when really bad things happen
The part of my job I do best is: Pick a jury
The best piece of advice ever given to you and by whom: Don’t hold the driver so tightly. My dad. Still not sure if he was talking just about golf or life in general.
If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be? The comedian, actor, banjo-playing Steve Martin
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing attorneys today? Providing a service that is economically valuable
Who is your favorite on-screen or literary attorney, and why? Frank Galvan in The Verdict. Against all odds and human frailties, he made the justice system work.
If you weren’t an attorney, what profession do you think you would be in? Writer or coach
When you are not practicing law, what do you like to do? Travel, particularly off the highways
What has changed the most technologically or practice wise since you have been licensed? The amount of information that impacts a decision; it is mind boggling. For my mind, at least.
How do you think the practice will change in the next 15 years? Less lawyers, more paralegals
Any words of wisdom or advice for the new president of the State Bar of Texas? Franklin’s will let you not stand in line if you get more than 5 pounds of brisket. Order some for your next lunch meeting in Austin.
Steve works at Haltom & Doan, LLC in Texarkana.
You can also view Steve’s TexasBar.com profile.
Prizes
It’s not every day that you’re randomly picked from among 94,000 peers. To commemorate, randomly-profiled attorneys receive a prize.
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Opinions and statements expressed in these profiles are those of their subjects – not the State Bar of Texas.