I was born on September 20, 1972 in Chicago, Illinois and moved to Las Vegas with my family at the age of 11. After graduation from Bonanza High School, I immediately enlisted with the Nevada Army and completed a tour of duty in the Middle East during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a Military Police Officer. During my service, I primarily guarded and escorted enemy prisoners of war, for which I received a number of commendations and medals including the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Campaign Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Award, the Nevada State Commendation Medal, and the Governor's Outstanding Unit Award. Following my military service, I received two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications Studies - Rhetorical Theory and Criminal Justice in 2000 from the University of Nevada - Las Vegas. I next attended the Boyd School of Law and received my Juris Doctorate degree in 2003. While still a full-time student completing my undergraduate degrees and during my first two years of law school, I was employed at Binion's Horseshoe, where I started as a poker dealer, was promoted to Shift Supervisor, and culminated my poker career as the 2002 World Series of Poker Tournament Coordinator. In that role, I completed tournament scheduling, hired and supervised over 200 employees, revised tournament structures and handled marketing and public relations. These latter responsibilities included interviews with ABC, NBC, FOX, ESPN, ESPN Radio, the BBC, Associated Press, United Press International, Card Player Magazine and Poker Digest. While at the Boyd School of Law, I served as a judicial extern for the Honorable James C. Mahan, United States District Judge. I was also the Chair of the Executive Board for the Society of Advocates, the law school's moot court team. I participated in the Western Regional of the American Bar Association's 2003 National Appellate Advocacy Competition, being named the tenth best oral advocate out of competitors from over twenty law schools. I also was awarded the CALI Award for Banking Law, an award given to the top grade in that class. I also participated in the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, an organization dedicated to public service by tightening the bond between the local community and the legal profession. I continue to support the Boyd School of Law as a loyal alumnus, most actively participating in judging moot court competitions and helping to prepare Society of Advocate's members for various competitions. In addition to my Nevada Bar membership, I am a member of the American Bar Association, the Clark County Bar Association, the Howard D. McKibben Inn of Court, and the Nevada Justice Association.