My commitment to serve in the legal field was strongly influenced by my parents and my three siblings. My father was a county sheriff during most of my life and my mother and one brother served as county deputies at different times until their retirement from the profession. My oldest brother went on to law school and acted as a mentor to encourage my choice of becoming an attorney. He reminded me that all those fierce but fascinating family debates at the dinner table were a true harbinger of where my talents would develop.I use the word commitment purposefully because my parents taught me to always fulfill my promises to the highest level of my ability. I have worked diligently to expand and improve my abilities as an attorney and local judge and acknowledge there will always be room to learn. Twenty-seven years ago, when I pledged my oath as an attorney to the Arkansas Supreme Court justice administering it, I committed to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of Arkansas, and to faithfully discharge my duties as an attorney and counselor of law to the best of my knowledge and ability. If after reading about my background and qualifications you do me the honor of voting for me I make this commitment to you: “I will continue to faithfully uphold my duties as both an attorney and a judge to follow the Constitution and the laws of the State of Arkansas in rendering fair and informed decisions on all cases that come before me.”