While serving in the Texas Army National Guard, raising a family and working at NASA, Rick attended the University of Houston - Bates Law Center. He sat for the Bar exam early, and while still in law school, received both his law degree and law license in May 1992. Upon becoming licensed to practice law, he initially practiced with a prominent Bryan law firm. He then started his own law practice in 1995 and quickly established himself as an aggressive and strategic lawyer. In 1998, he ran for and was elected Judge of Brazos County Court at Law No. 2. With the encouragement of several lawyers who appreciated his hard work on the Bench. He ran for and was elected Judge of the 272nd District Court in 2000, and was re-elected to that post in 2004. As a Judge, he was known as a positive judicial force with high energy and wise decision-making ability. Rick ranked highest among the District Judges in the 2006 Brazos County Bar Association poll, the last poll conducted before he left the bench to return to private practice. Rick has gained valuable insight into a multitude of legal problems that people may face. His broad background has equipped him with the analytical skills necessary to tackle complex legal issues while still providing efficient and personalized strategies. He is widely known and respected for his integrity and fairness. Rick's work and experience on both sides of the bench have benefited many in Bryan and College Station, Texas, and throughout the Brazos Valley. In 2007, Rick published his first book, “The Prison Sermons,” a collection of messages that offer inspiration and hope to inmates as well as to their families and friends. Rick is passionate about fairness and equal justice under the law. His record as a judge proves that he is a man of integrity. His record as a lawyer proves that he is tough and competent.
