Education:

• B.S., Texas Tech University, Animal Science
• M.S., Colorado State University, Meat Science
• J.D., Drake University

Work Experience:

• Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam, LLP, Lubbock Texas July 2015 – present
• Brady & Hamilton, LLP, Lubbock, Texas 2009 – July 2015
• State of South Dakota,
  • Department of Agriculture; Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, May 2009 – August 2009
  • Governor’s Office, Acting Senior Policy Advisor, June 2008 – November 2008
  • Department of Agriculture; General Counsel/Director of Agricultural Policy, May
    2007 – May 2009
• Zachary S. Brady, P.C., Lubbock, Texas 2006 – 2007
• Thompson & Knight, LLP, Houston, Texas 2005 – 2006

How did you get interested/involved in agriculture law?

I enrolled at Drake University in order to study agricultural law. At the time, my educational background was focused on animal science, meat science, and the food industry. Because of that educational background, coupled with growing up on a small family farm and participating in youth and collegiate agricultural activities, I wanted to ultimately practice law in the area of agriculture. I have been fortunate that my professional life has given me opportunities to focus on that area of law.

What is your current role and what type of work are you doing for agriculture?

I am currently a partner in the law firm Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam LLP, in Lubbock, Texas. CD&M is the oldest firm in Lubbock, Texas, and its lawyers have helped agricultural producers and businesses for generations. My practice focuses on providing a variety of legal solutions for those in agriculture, including transactional and litigation work. To a smaller extent, I also provide some agricultural policy advice to clients and participate in producer educational events.

What are some of the challenges and opportunities you see in your job and the ag law
profession?

It’s no secret to the members of this organization that agriculture in general is facing multiple challenges, as well as positive changes within the ag industry today. As agricultural lawyers, we are afforded an amazing opportunity to be a part of the solutions to those challenges and to craft and implement changes that help move agriculture into the future.

When did you join, why did you join the AALA and what keeps you active in the
organization?

I joined AALA as a law student at Drake University in 2002. I have maintained my membership since then because of the strong professional network of other agricultural lawyers that the AALA provides, and because of the premier educational programming and information resources that AALA members can take advantage of. Like many in the AALA, I can say that those professional relationships have turned into some of the strongest personal friendships I have, as we all live, work, and raise our families across the U.S. I have remained active in the AALA because, in addition to those personal and professional relationships, it has also provided me with multiple professional growth opportunities through committee work and service on the AALA Board. I am completely humbled and honored to serve the AALA as its President-elect in 2017-18.