Professional Experience

Balfour Law Firm - Owner / Attorney, General Litigation
July 2009-Present (Houston, TX)

  • Have sole responsibility for generating new business relationships and developing standard operating procedures and processes for the firm; Possess strong analytical and critical thinking skills, ability to distill complex legal issues, and provide risk assessment and opinions, and exceptional client communication skills. 
  • Prosecute and defend family civil, commercial, and probate matters; Prepare legal memorandum for clients analyzing statutory and common law regarding civil and family law; Handle hearings regarding summary judgments, discovery, and other matters; Assist with and manage fact and expert witness depositions, numerous trials, and mediations; Prepare probate and estate planning matters; Performed document analysis for complex litigation; and Oral Advocacy in State and Federal court.

Corporate Tax Incentives - R&D Project Manager
October 2021-January 2024 (Houston, TX and Folsom, CA)

  • Direct R&D tax credit projects from kick-off to final deliverable while simultaneously serving as the main client contact for over 40 clients; Specializing in aerospace engineering; architectural, civil engineering, food science, and manufacturing clients.
  • Manage, retain, and improve client relationships while identifying new clients through referrals; Directed Project Team members and managed resources to ensure proficient and timely completion of projects as part of a multi-disciplinary team; and Recipient of numerous client testimonials for exemplary client service, work product, and maximizing benefits.
  • Identify and analyze a variety of complex issues from accounting and tax laws to technical work performed by architects, chemists, biologists, and aerospace engineers; Assist clients in identifying and documenting unclaimed tax incentives; and Prepare reports detailing results, calculations, and methodology to substantiate credits claimed. 
  • Continue to build lasting relationships with clients, subject matter experts, and CPAs.

Engineered Tax Services - R&D Project Manager
February 2018-October 2021 (Houston, TX and West Palm Beach, FL)

  • Oversaw R&D tax credit projects from kick-off to final deliverable while simultaneously serving as the main client contact for over 50 clients resulting in over $10 Million in R&D credits and $5 Million in fees; Specialized in aerospace engineering, architectural, manufacturing, and software clients.
  • Managed, maintained, and strengthened client relationships, identified new clients through referrals, and received numerous client testimonials for exemplary client service, work product, and maximizing benefits.
  • Identified and analyzed complex issues from accounting and tax laws to technical work performed by architects, chemists, biologists, and engineers; Assisted clients in identifying and documenting unclaimed tax incentives; and Prepared reports detailing results, calculations, and methodology to substantiate credits claimed. 
  • Effectively directed Project Team members and managed resources to ensure timely and proficient project completion as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including training, developing, and supervising multiple associates and support staff; Prepare and present R&D presentations for internal trainings.
  • Continued to build lasting relationships with clients, subject matter experts, and CPAs.

Black Line Group - R&D Project Manager
December 2015-February 2021 (Houston, TX and Plymouth, MN)

  • Simultaneously managed 30+ R&D tax credit projects; Interviewed subject matter exerts to quantify and qualify research activities; Prepared Federal and State Tax forms and substantiating reports; Led internal trainings for R&D team; Performed regular research to ensure compliance with tax laws; Build and maintained relationships with clients, CPAs, and Subject Matter Experts.
  • Provided technical consultation related to various tax benefits utilizing federal and state tax codes, IRS regulations, and related court cases; Documented findings in the form of work papers and reports that could later be used for defending claims before taxing authorities; and Researched case law, Treasury Regulations, Treasury Decisions, and other forms of administrative documentation to resolve all applicable issues regarding research project qualification and credit calculation.

AllantGroup, LP - Associate Director, Tax Controversy Services Group
January 2008-May 2009 (Houston, TX)

  • Represented mid-sized corporations (±200M) before IRS and State Taxing authorities during tax examinations and audits, including research and development of tax positions for clients based on relevant case law and tax regulation guidance; Developed, evaluated, and implemented defense strategies for clients; Gathered, reviewed, and analyzed documentation to prepare responses to requests for information from taxing authorities; and Drafted and presented information to taxing authorities to support client’s position.

Condon Claims Management, Inc. - Licensed Maritime Adjuster / Consultant for Third Party Administrator
March 2007-February 2008 (Houston, TX)

  • Simultaneously managed 30+ R&D tax credit projects; Interviewed subject matter exerts to quantify and qualify research activities; Prepared Federal and State Tax forms and substantiating reports; Led internal trainings for R&D team; Performed regular research to ensure compliance with tax laws; Build and maintained relationships with clients, CPAs, and Subject Matter Experts.
  • Provided technical consultation related to various tax benefits utilizing federal and state tax codes, IRS regulations, and related court cases; Documented findings in the form of work papers and reports that could later be used for defending claims before taxing authorities; and Researched case law, Treasury Regulations, Treasury Decisions, and other forms of administrative documentation to resolve all applicable issues regarding research project qualification and credit calculation.

Fowler Rodriguez - Senior Associate Attorney, International Civil Litigation
June 2005-March 2007 (Houston, TX)

  • Managed heavy docket of defense matters in State and Federal courts involving maritime, energy, and environmental litigation; Pursued employment issues regarding wrongful termination and retaliation; and worked on various cases involving construction law, commercial litigation, breach of contract, subrogation, premises liability, personal injury, general negligence, insurance coverage opinions, and bad faith. 

The Watson Law Firm - Senior Associate Attorney
September 2001-May 2005 (Houston, TX)

  • Management responsibility for a docket of insurance defense matters in State and Federal courts; Managed cases from intake through final disposition, including mediation, arbitration, and trial; Assisted with legal research and writing in plaintiff and defense matters, and successfully argued various motions in court. 

Silber Pearlman - Associate Attorney
January 2000-August 2001 (Houston, TX)

 

Houston Volunteer Lawyers Program - Legal Recruiter, Non-profit Organization
August 1999-January 2000 (Houston, TX)

Membership & Admissions

  • Texas State Bar Association Member, 1999
  • U. S. Tax Court, 2009
  • U. S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 2006
  • U. S. District Courts of Texas, Southern and Western Districts 2002
  • U. S. District Courts of Texas, Northern and Eastern Districts 2001

Education

South Texas College of Law

  • Doctor of Jurisprudence – May 1999
  • Honors: Dean's List 

 

Texas A&M University 

  • Bachelor of Business Administration. Degree: Marketing – May 1996

Junior League of Houston, Houston, TX

  • Sustaining Member, 2021 to Present
  • Member, August 2016-2021

 

Junior League of Seattle, Seattle, WA

  • Provisional Member, May 2015-August 2016


K-9 Angels Rescue, Houston, TX and Seattle, WA

  • Director of Public Relations / Social Media Committee and Advisory Board Member, January 2015 – Present

 

K-9 Angels Rescue, Houston, TX

  • Foster Coordinator and Advisory Board Member, September 2013 – January 2015

Community

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