Employer: Baker Botts Title and Practice Area: Partner, Appellate

Describe your biggest win or accomplishment in practice.  A winning record in the 11 U.S. Supreme Court cases I've argued. This includes significant victories regarding Texas redistricting (Abbott v. Perez and Evenwel v. Abbott), the First Amendment (Walker v. Tex. Div., Sons of Confederate Veterans), and federal administrative action challenges (United States v. Texas).

What was the most valuable lesson you learned in your first year practicing law?  Tear up your own writing during the editing process. You might be a good writer, but your writing can always be improved. Make it as effortless as possible for your reader to understand your arguments.

Who is your greatest lawyer mentor and what has he or she taught you?  The late Greg Coleman, Texas's first solicitor general, instilled in me the values of civility and professionalism. Greg showed that you can stand and fight strongly for your principles, all while respecting the views of others and not ascribing bad motives to those who disagree with you.

Please share a brief key to your success.  Intense preparation. Oral argument preparation might be a little like method acting: I'm constantly living the case in the days before the argument. For instance, while in the shower or walking down the hallway, I'm often rehearsing the clearest way to answer tough possible questions.