Experience
EDUCATION
- Southern Methodist University, J.D., Order of the Coif, 1987
- Texas Christian University, BBA – Business Mgmt., Cum Laude, 1984
LEGAL BACKGROUND
- 19 years practicing exclusively Criminal Law
- Judge, Criminal District Court #6, Dallas County, January 2007 to present
- Private Practice, November 1992 – December 2006, Felony and Misdemeanor
- Prosecutor, Dallas County District Attorney’s Office, June 1990 – October 1992
- 3 years practicing Civil Litigation (May 1987 – May, 1990)
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Types of Court Proceedings Handled:
- Trials
- Appeals
- Writs of Habeas Corpus
- Petitions For Discretionary Review
- Motions for New Trial
- Motions to Suppress
- Grand Jury Proceedings
Unique Aspects of Appellate Practice:
- Handled over 200 Appeals
- Argued and Won before the:
- Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
- Corpus Christi Court of Appeals
- Dallas Court of Appeals
- El Paso Court of Appeals
- Numerous cases resulted in published Opinions in law reporters
LEGAL ASSOCIATIONS/ACTIVITIES
- Member, State Bar of Texas
- Member, Dallas Bar Association
- Member, DBA Criminal Justice Committee
- Participant in DBA Summer Law Intern Program, 2007 and 2008
- Former Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Former Member, Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Former Associate Board Member, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Judge, SMU Moot Court Competition
- Judge, Texas High School Mock Trial Competition
PERSONAL
- Born and raised in Dallas, Texas; 1972 graduate of Hillcrest High School
- Married 21 years to Steve Howard
- Two daughters – Holly (20), currently attending SMU; and Theresa (18), beginning UNT in the Fall of ‘09
- Worked at General Dynamics Corporation in Fort Worth, TX before attending Law School