Mesquite Country shares the stories, personalities, and experiences that shaped your journey from small-town Sonora to a legal career in El Paso and beyond. What inspired you to share these particular stories from your life?

I’ve lived through more than eight decades of extraordinary change and encountered some unforgettable characters along the way. Growing up in Sonora, Texas, and later practicing law in El Paso introduced me to people and situations that were often stranger than fiction. Riding the White Bull told the story of my Navy years, but there was plenty of life on either side of that experience. I wanted to preserve some of those stories, the humor, the personalities and a way of life that has largely disappeared.

What are some of the most important lessons you learned from your parents and other influential figures during your early years?

My father was an ambitious, resourceful man who believed in hard work and community involvement. My brothers and I worked in the family store, where I learned early about responsibility and dealing with people. I also learned from the colorful characters around town. One local man caught me involved in some youthful mischief and, rather than lecture me, gave me the opportunity to take responsibility. That lesson stayed with me. Growing up in a small town meant that everyone knew your business, but it also meant people looked out for one another.

What originally inspired you to pursue a legal career, and how did practicing law in El Paso shape your understanding of justice

I was drawn to the courtroom, where the law comes down to people, their motives and competing versions of the truth. Practicing in El Paso introduced me to an extraordinary collection of judges, lawyers and clients. One defining experience was helping establish a legal aid society despite opposition from established lawyers who considered federally funded legal assistance “socialized law.” That experience reinforced my belief that having a legal system means little if people cannot afford access to it. Justice requires more than laws on the books.

When readers finish Mesquite Country, what do you hope stays with them most about family, community, personal integrity, and the lessons learned over a lifetime?

I hope readers remember the people as much as the events. Family, friends, colleagues and even the occasional scoundrel all taught me something about human nature. The world has changed enormously during my lifetime, but people haven’t changed nearly as much. Ambition, generosity, loyalty, greed and good judgment are still very much with us. I also hope readers find some humor in these stories. Life can be absurd, and sometimes the best lessons come from the most unexpected people and experiences.

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