Home Base: Los Angeles, CA
Bio: I grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas and attended the University of Michigan on an ROTC scholarship, then went to law school. After law school I spent five years in the Army (JAGC) as a criminal defense lawyer. I tried everything from a tank murder case (he fired a tank into another tank ten feet away) to a mutiny by enlisted soldiers in the field. I wrote my first novel, The Price of Victory (NAL/Signet) from these experiences. Before moving to Los Angeles, I lived in South Dakota. I served in the state legislature for four years and was the assistant minority leader of the house. During that time we dealt with the death of the governor in a plane crash, the collapse of the state budget after the video lottery was declared unconstitutional, and the worst prison riot in the state’s history. While I lived there I also wrote my second book, a true crime story of German POWs killing a traitor and their execution called Extreme Justice (Pocket). Since moving to California I’ve written screenplays, TV scripts and finished a third novel. In my spare time I’m a partner in a national law firm practicing business litigation.
Press Coverage:
2d round read (top 10%) at Austin Film Festival for "Kill All the Lawyers."
Top Ten finisher (special mention) for "A Dead Girl or a Live Boy" in Table Read my Screenplay
Spec Script Portfolio
- Original Pilot: To Kill a King, pilot episode "A Dead Girl or a Live Boy"
The governor of South Dakota runs his state like the dictator of a third world country. His past as a legal aid lawyer on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation comes back to haunt him while a political newcomer starts to take him on with the intent that he will be the next governor. If you are going to kill a king, don't miss.
- Spec Script: Criminal Minds, "Kill All the Lawyers."
A UCLA law professor who was Hotch's favorite teacher is killed by rattlesnakes in his car. Hotch knows more about who might be the killer but to reveal the reason will sully his reputation.
- Screenplay: "Briar Rose"
A hip retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story set in LA. How hard is it to kiss a boy, damn hard.
- Novel: "Conduct Unbecoming."
A high powered LA entertainment lawyer who was formerly a special ops soldier goes on his last reserve duty. While there, he is forced to defend a judge he hates for decapitating the wife of the commanding general.
Why I Write: To entertain people.
Inspiration: Breaking Bad, The Americans, The Sopranos, the first season of True Detectives, House of Cards, and Vikings.
Brand: I’m a trial lawyer and former politician. I tell stories for a living.
Writing Process: I outline and usually have the story beat out before I start working on any project.
Writing Schedule: I work on the weekends for four or five hours each day. I’m always thinking about writing even when I’m not writing.
Actions I’ve Taken to Further My Career: Networking with everyone I know asking if they have contacts with managers so I can approach these individuals.
What’s Worked: I took Erica’s spec writing class and worked individually with her on my pilot. I also have a MFA in creative writing from the University of Virginia, which was great training to write a novel.
What was a Waste of Time: Classes about the biz, telling you about the biz, from people who never really made it in the biz. Any class where you are not turning out writing product.
