He graduated from New York University School of Arts and Science in 2000 where he majored in Philosophy. After graduating law school he remained in New York teaching writing and music classes while working on a novel. He returned to Texas to attend the University of Texas Law School in Austin and graduated in 2005 with honors. His focus in law school was on criminal defense. His internships included the Travis County District Attorney's Office and the Texas Supreme Court and he took a criminal defense clinic. After graduation, he joined the law firm of Topek & Topek. He regularly travels around the state representing individuals in parole matters as well as defending the accused.