What drew you to the law?
I have several family members who operate their own businesses, so I knew even before I attended law school how important lawyers are in the business world. I saw the law as a way to help business owners achieve their goals, which is what attracted me to corporate and tax practice. Corporate and tax lawyers don’t just help clients deal with problems after they happen. They have to anticipate problems and structure transactions to avoid them.
What do you enjoy most about teaching?
I enjoy the process of transforming students into lawyers. When they begin their journey in my first-year Legislation and Regulation course, they are passionate, but green. By the time I see them out the door of my upper-level tax courses, they are well trained and ready to represent clients.
What do you hope students gain from your courses?
Much of the law is found in statutes and administrative regulations, which aren’t emphasized in traditional common law courses. In my tax courses, I use a problem method that forces students to use the tax code and regulations to analyze realistic fact patterns. My students are prepared to tackle any statute they encounter in practice.
What are you passionate about outside of the law?
My family and baseball. I’m a Rangers fan, and I’m looking forward to the day that my son is old enough to go to games with me.
What are your research interests?
My research focuses on taxation, behavioral economics and behavioral public choice. I’m particularly interested in how psychology influences the law, including tax and regulatory policy.