My practice focuses on white collar criminal and civil defense, internal investigations, corporate compliance and other matters typically involving federal, state law or administrative enforcement inquires and investigations.Additionally, and rarely found within peer firms, I maintain a traditional state criminal defense practice.

Presidentially appointed United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. Confirmed unanimously by the Senate in December 2017, I took office January 8, 2018. SDTX is one of the largest US Attorney offices in the country with had the largest criminal docket and largest appellate docket in the federal system. SDTX covers 43 counties and ten million in population with courthouses in Houston, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Laredo, McAllen and Victoria.I was proud to lead a professional staff of more than 450 with an annual budget above $45 million.The Southern District may have the most diverse docket of any federal prosecuting office. Along the border, the office is still at the forefront of related prosecutions, defending the federal government in related civil suits, and serves as the legal representative for DHS in securing land for border fence. As the energy capital and space city, along with leading hospitals and bio research institutions, Houston is often the lead investigating office in large FCPA, Stark Law, anti-kickback, and qui tam litigation. My office hosted a very active DOJ healthcare fraud strike force and in 2019 began a partnership with the Western District of Texas and DOJ for a joint RGV/San Antonio health care fraud strike force.Local violent crime was a priority. I increased attorney staffing in Houston and Corpus Christi to target violent street crime. After seeing a 5% increase in cases in 2018, we saw a 57% increase in 2019. Violent carjackings, commercial robberies, and other violent crimes committed with guns were the focus of these new hires. This work went along with the unfortunate distinction of Houston leading the nation in both bank robberies and armored car robberies.

While awaiting US Attorney confirmation I practiced criminal defense and served as a Harris County District Attorney pro tem, appointed by the regional administrative judge - individually handling multiple felony prosecutions in place of the conflicted elected district attorney.

I was the elected judge of the 177th State District Court, one of then 22 felony criminal courts in Harris County. I presided over 100+ jury trials, more than any other court during my tenure, along with serving as chairman of the Justice Information Management Systems committee. I beta tested implementation of new technology in our justice system as we transitioned from 1970s green screen systems allowing for the eventual move to 24/7 electronic courts.

Began like everyone else in misdemeanor and quickly promoted to felony trial prosecutor in various courts trying 60+ jury trials - everything from simple assaults and DWIs to aggravated sex crimes, armed robbery, sexual assaults of children and seemingly every way someone can commit a murder. For three years I volunteered for a specialized assignment in the Vehicle Crimes Section where I served as 24/7 on call prosecutor. Our group investigated at the scene with first responders, usually in the middle of the night, keeping the case through trial. I finished my office tenure assigned to the Special Crimes/Major Narcotics division where, among other duties, I prosecuted major narcotics traffickers, decades old cold case murders, and even a guy who spray painted a Picasso at the Menil Gallery. Additionally, I coordinated the state side of a state/federal task force focusing on opioid pill mills and doctor shopping.