I don't know about you, ... but when called upon to write "about" me, it's sometimes difficult.
That's because while it seems important to demonstrate on a page like this that one has the expertise to be of value to the reader, it's equally important to refrain from boasting. It's not "all about me," - rather, it's all about you. That being said, what follows is all about me. :-)
After graduating from Southwestern University School of Law in 1973, passing the bar, then relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area, I practiced law until July 31, 1992. Returning to school, I obtained a Master's Degree in English from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, then embarked on my second career - teaching.
From 1993 until now I've been teaching in high school, college, universities, and law schools. For the last 20 years, the subjects I've taught have included only these two: law and English as a second language.
Although I taught law to undergrads and MBA students at Northern Arizona as component of my part-time duties there, my first full-time academic law position was with Vermont Law School as the developer and director of the school's initial Academic Support Program. I then accepted an offer from Roger Williams University School of Law in Rhode Island to fill the dual position as Dean of Students and Director of its first Academic Support Program. After several years in Rhode Island, my wife and I began our southern adventures in Uruguay and Ecuador.
In addition to teaching advanced English in South America, I taught online for Concord Law School for many years, then was lucky enough to find and be employed by St. Francis School of Law & John F. Kennedy School of Law.
I hope that my two decades of law practice vicariously benefit my students. During those years I appeared in federal and state trial and appellate courts in California, enjoying jury trials and oral arguments before various California Courts of Appeal. As a general practitioner, I spent many days in other forums as well, including U.S. Tax Court, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Social Security administrative court, California State Board of Parole, Juvenile Court. Advising small business clients, homeowners, and others - writing contracts. leases, and sales agreements for example - was also an important part of my practice.
I remain a member of the State Bar of California, albeit an "inactive" member. And a dog owner.