Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
• Juris Doctorate, 1998
• SMU Law Review, Articles Editor, 1997-1998
• Recipient, John Kennedy Scholarship (Outstanding Male Graduate, 1998)
• Law School Dean Search Committee, 1997-1998
• Dean’s List, Spring 1997
• President, Student Bar Association, 1997-1998
• Quarter-finalist, 1997 Vial Hamilton Mock Trial Competition
• Best Advocate, Quarter-final round
• First Place Team, 1997 Client Counseling Competition
• Best Brief Finalist, 1996 Jackson & Walker Moot Court Competition
Oxford University, Oxford, England, Summer 1996
• Employment Law and International Business Transactions
The University of Houston, Houston, Texas
Master of Arts, Political Science, 1994
Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas
Bachelor of Science, cum laude 1989
• Political Science (major), Psychology (minor)
• 4.0 Average in Major
LEGAL EXPERIENCE:
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (formerly Bracewell & Patterson LLP)
Dallas, Texas 2003-2006 Trial Associate.
Areas of litigation practice: financial institution; complex commercial; trademark and copyright infringement; misappropriation of company trade secrets; real property issues; title insurance defense; fraud; Deceptive Trade Practices Act; contract disputes; conspiracy; commercial landlord/tenant; garnishment, sequestration, extraordinary remedies, and injunctive relief; bankruptcy. Managed docket, take and defend depositions, conduct settlement negotiations, engage in discovery, motion practice, argue at hearings for summary judgments, temporary restraining orders, and motions to compel.
Court of Appeals Cases:
Pedro Guerra v. Regions Bank, 188 S.W.3d 744 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2006, no pet.) (obtained summary judgment and affirmation of same on behalf of Regions Bank; the court held that a bank owes no duty to someone who is not a customer of a bank).
Craig B. Singer & Carol G. Singer v. First Baptist Church of Carrollton, Texas, 02-05-00361-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2006) (seeking affirmation by the Court of Appeals to affirm the summary judgment in favor of First Baptist Church on issue of a right of reentry to real estate).
Firm service:
• Coach for SMU Law School's representative to the Texas Young Lawyer Association Moot Court Competition (2003-present) (team advanced to semi-final round, 2003; team awarded second-place brief in 2004 and 2006)
• Dallas Bar Association, Young Lawyer's Leadership Class (2004)
Settle & Pou, P.C.
Dallas, Texas 1998-2003. Litigation Associate.
Areas of practice: representation of financial institutions, collections, third-party insurance defense (areas include wrongful death in an airplane crash, premises liability in an apartment shooting incident, stock fraud, dram shop, personal injury, and construction), condemnation, eminent domain, constitutional tolling, residential landlord/tenant disputes, commercial landlord/tenant disputes, defense of wrongful foreclosure, DTPA, contract disputes, ad valorem taxation. Drafted incorporation documents for non-profit enterprise.
JUDICIAL INTERNSHIP:
14th District Court of Appeals
Houston, Texas Summer 1997
Judicial intern to the Honorable Wanda McKee Fowler.
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Honduras Mission Team Member (2000, 2001, 2005, 2006)
SPEECHES AND PUBLICATIONS:
“An Empirical and Normative Analysis of the Impact of Televised Courtroom Proceedings,” 51 SMU L. REV. 621 (1998)(cited in Abbe Smith, Burdening the Least of Us: “Race-Conscious” Ethics in Criminal Defense, 77 TEX. L. REV. 1585 (1999)).
An Overview of Legal Issues Facing Church Leaders Who Work with Children. Safe But Not Sorry: A Workshop on Standards of Care of Children and Youth in the Church. Midway Hills Christian Church, Dallas, Texas. March 24, 2000. Conference included attendees from Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas.
Protecting Your eBusiness. Adventures in eBusiness: A Seminar. Houston Community College-Northwest (co-sponsored with the Texas Chamber of E-Commerce). June 8, 2000.
Legal Issues and the Internet. South Central Oracle Users Group Roadshow 2000. Marriott-Las Colinas. July 21, 2000.
Mediation in the Divorce Process. Northway Christian Church Divorce Recovery Program. March 2001; October, 2001; March 2002; October 2002.
Do Television Cameras belong in Jury Rooms? No, Presence of Cameras can Change Jurors’ Deliberations, DALLAS MORNING NEWS, Dec. 3, 2002, at 15A (editorial in Viewpoints section, with “pro” side written by Chip Babcock).
The Role of the Paralegal in Settlement Negotiations. Legal Assistants of North Texas Association. The Wyndam Market Center, Dallas, Texas. January 13, 2005.
Mediation: Trying Your Case Before Trial. Texas Advanced Paralegal Seminar. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dallas, Texas. September 20-22, 2006.