For the Public: Texas Lawyers in Public Service
Presented by the Texas Young Lawyers Association, the "For the Public" podcast is dedicated to elevating the voices of public service and government attorneys throughout Texas. Through candid conversations with young lawyers, we explore their journeys, their work, and the importance of public service in our profession.
For the Public: Texas Lawyers in Public Service
For the Public | "U.S. Department of Justice" feat. Anthony Franklyn, Assistant U.S. Attorney
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In the next episode of For the Public, we sit down with Anthony Franklyn, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. Anthony reflects on his path to becoming a federal prosecutor and the responsibility AUSAs carry in pursuing justice on behalf of the United States. From navigating complex federal cases to building trust with the communities he serves, Anthony offers an inside look at what it means to uphold the rule of law with integrity, fairness, and purpose. His story is a powerful reminder of the impact young lawyers can make when they choose careers centered on service and justice.
You can listen to this episode at the link below or wherever you access podcasts: https://tyla.org/resource/for-the-public/
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Welcome to Ford Public, Texas Lawyers of Public Service, a TYLA podcast series highlighting the work of public service and government attorneys across Texas. Inspired by President Allison Martinez's commitment to elevating these essential voices, each episode features lawyers whose careers show the impact and importance of serving the public.
SPEAKER_00Hello, everyone, and welcome to For the Public. I am Rebecca Lopez, one of your hosts for today, and with me is my co-host, Amber Holmes.
SPEAKER_01Hello, everyone. I'm Amber Holmes, and today we're joined by Anthony Franklin. He is a federal prosecutor with the United States Department of Justice. Anthony focuses on prosecuting fraud cases, and he earned both his undergraduate and law degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also obtained a graduate degree from Wake Forest University before joining the Department of Justice. He served as an assistant district attorney and also worked as a commercial litigator at a large law firm. Earlier in his career, prior to attending law school, Anthony worked as a paralegal in the antitrust division of the United States Department of Justice.
SPEAKER_00Today we will be talking to him about his path into public service, his work prosecuting fraud, and what the public should know about protecting themselves. We are excited to have him here today. Let's welcome Anthony to the podcast. Hey, Anthony.
SPEAKER_03Hi, thank you all. Happy to be here.
SPEAKER_00We're happy to have you. So to get started, uh can you tell us a little bit about yourself and eventually what drew you into public service work?
SPEAKER_03Sure. Um, so like Amber said, I am a uh federal prosecutor in Houston. I've been doing that for about five years now. Uh graduated law school of 2016 from the University of Texas, um, and have more or less been in public service my entire career. So came out as an assistant district attorney, did that for about three years, uh, then for about two years, worked at a law firm, uh, loved the people, did not quite enjoy the work as much as I thought. And so I've been a federal prosecutor now for about five years.
SPEAKER_01Um, how are you enjoying the federal prosecution versus your state prosecution? Is there a large difference in the types of cases that you handle or the workload?
SPEAKER_03Absolutely. Um so I'll start by saying I love it. Uh I definitely enjoy what I do, uh, the type of cases I handle, the people I work with. Um, and there is a big difference. So when I started out as a county prosecutor, um, as you can imagine, usually your local and county gaze offices handle most of the crimes that get committed. Um, so the federal government uh is able to be a bit more selective in the cases that we take and handle. And so, because of that, that means that most crime, most criminal cases fall to the state. And so, as a county prosecutor, it is very common to have anywhere from about 700 to 1,000 cases on your docket at a given point in time. And, you know, it's it's very rewarding, it's a lot of fun, but it is a constant churn and you're constantly going. Um, whereas on the federal side, um, much smaller dockets, uh, you get a chance to kind of be more involved with every aspect of the case. So starting with the investigative side, working with your investigators and agencies to really flush out and figure out um, you know, what evidence is needed and where things are. And you have a lot more opportunities to really help shape and direct the way the case evolves and develops. And so I definitely enjoy uh being a federal prosecutor and handling federal cases more.
SPEAKER_00What originally drew you into law uh and specifically public service?
SPEAKER_03No, that's a great question. Um, so the honest answer is um I used to get in trouble out as a kid, and I got told I talked too much, and everyone told me I was gonna be a lawyer. Um and so I guess after hearing that, you know, so many times, I um knew I wanted to be a lawyer. Never really knew what kind of lawyer I wanted to be. Um growing up, I knew I wanted to help people, and it was always my dream to be an international lawyer. Uh, now that I'm a lawyer, I realize that's not a thing. It just is a place you go or stuff you do. Uh, but the idea of being an international lawyer was always something I thought I wanted. And then uh it wasn't until I got to law school that I really figured out, and I guess if you will, found my calling uh in terms of being a prosecutor. Um, so growing up, I knew I'd always, you know, taken issue with how things operated in our legal system, uh, specifically with criminal law. Uh, I grew up knowing people who got in trouble. And unfortunately, our system is such that when someone has a criminal record, it's very hard to bounce back from it. I mean, everything from missing work to not being able to get certain types of jobs, there's just so many lingering implications of having even just an accusation of criminal wrongdoing. And so it's a very serious thing. And so I've seen firsthand how people can be negatively impacted by that system. And so, if anything, I thought I would have been a criminal defense attorney. Uh, but in law school, I had a criminal law professor who I really enjoyed, took her every year of law school, and she was a formal prosecutor. And she really got me open to the idea of if I really wanted to make, I guess, meaningful change in the criminal justice system, then I would have a much better chance doing it as a prosecutor who, you know, was much more involved on the front end, gets to figure out which cases get charged, what charge, uh, what an appropriate punishment is. I would have a lot, you know, more impact and ability to influence um outcomes as a prosecutor than anything else. And so I can say looking back, she was absolutely right. Like that is one of the biggest things I love about my job is the prosecutorial discretion I have to be able to look at a case and, you know, again, not really be driven by convictions, but making sure that whatever we do, we're seeking justice, whether that be, you know, prosecuting somebody because they hurt somebody and getting justice for the victim, or in some cases, you know, not prosecuting someone because they made a mistake and the best outcome may be just to have them do a diversion or you know, pay restitution for dismissal. Um, I love having that ability to try to figure out what is just and achieve that outcome. And so again, I really do enjoy what I do.
SPEAKER_00Thank you for sharing that. I feel like we all had a similar experience as children, or at least I did. You talk way too much. Let's find something that exactly.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Let's start with debate and then it went to law. So, yes. Wow.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, a lot of us um all kind of face that together. And there are a couple of people who are introverts that are lawyers, and I feel like a lot of them get drawn into like the transactional side.
SPEAKER_00They do appeals.
SPEAKER_01And then us chatter boxes, we end up in courtrooms and other settings.
SPEAKER_03Um, that's the funny thing, is because I'm actually an introvert. So that's the weirdest thing, is that I am usually an introvert except when it comes to advocacy, and it's like a whole different persona comes across. And so, yeah, I definitely got in trouble a lot for advocating, if you will, when I was a kid.
SPEAKER_01So And are you, Anthony? Are you a first generation attorney, like the first person in your family to go to law school?
SPEAKER_03I am, yes.
SPEAKER_01And was your family supportive of that decision, or do you think there was some hesitation there?
SPEAKER_03I think they were they were all very supportive. Um, again, it was one of those things where I had, I guess, accepted or identified early on that I thought I wanted to be a lawyer. And my parents were really amazing. I mean, you know, they told me, you know, it's not gonna be easy, but if it's something you really want to do, put your mind to it and you can do it. And every step of the way, they supported me. So whether it be, you know, helping me financially when I was in school or even just the the pep talk when I felt like, okay, what am I doing? And even now as a lawyer, when I sometimes question, you know, should I still be a lawyer? Like things like that. Uh I feel like they were very supportive and very encouraging. And um, yeah, a big part of the reason why I was able to achieve my dream of being a lawyer.
SPEAKER_01Did your parents ever um, I'm not sure what they did, but did they instill maybe some of that drive for um public service or like helping other people? Was that something that was part of your environment growing up?
SPEAKER_03Absolutely. Um, so it was interesting because my parents actually divorced when I was five. And so I kind of got it from both ends, uh, if you will, of my parents. So my mom, she was a teacher. Um, and she was always that person who was just no matter what it was, she was always giving. Uh, she taught, she was a Sunday school teacher. I mean, even if she, even though she did not have much and she was taking care of three kids, there was nothing you could ask her for that she would not try to find a way to help you and to be a benefit to somebody. And so early on, you know, I grew up seeing that, just that idea of serving how you can. You know, you don't have to be the richest person, you don't have to be the smartest. Everyone has something they can do to help others and to be a benefit and serve others. And then the same with my dad. Uh, so my dad, he was very involved with church. Uh, he was also that person who, again, he was just very caring and giving. If he could, he would find a way to give to people and to help people. And so, for both of them, they instilled in us this idea of service is something that's expected of us. Like, not just from you know, this religious component of God expects us to be able to give, but also just at a very basic level of as a human, you if you have the ability to to give and to help people, why should why shouldn't you? And I will say it is something that has stuck with me. And even now with my own family, I try to instill that in my kids. Like, you know, we are very fortunate, we're very blessed. And so where we can, it's there's nothing wrong with benefiting somebody else. I mean, wherever we can do to help others, we we should.
SPEAKER_00Thank you. Uh thank you, Anthony, for sharing that. So we focus on this podcast uh discussing public service uh jobs. And as a federal prosecutor working on uh fraud cases, can you take us into what a day um in this profession is like and what kind of cases you see and the importance of um prosecuting these cases?
SPEAKER_03Sure. Um, so I'll be honest, no two days, no two days are the same. Um it really just depends on you know what's going on, what I guess, if you will, is urgent or needs my attention the most. Uh so typically some days I may spend just going over evidence, uh, talking with my agents, figuring out, okay, what do we still need? Where do we think we can find it? Uh, where are we in terms of being able to prove what we think happened? Other days, I'm in court, um, arguing, uh having to either, you know, present either a motion to the court or, you know, we are negotiating something in court. And so it just really kind of depends on uh what is needed. I would say with fraud cases, especially, uh, I think these are very important cases because, you know, many times these are cases that involve taking from people who otherwise may not have or may not know um what's happening to them. Um it's unfortunate that in many of these cases, you know, they especially tend to skew towards people who are elderly or people who may not be of a lot of means. And so whether because they are just overly nice and wanting to help someone out or because, you know, they're they're looking for a way to have their come up, uh, they tend to be, in many cases, susceptible to frauds and get rich quick schemes and things of that nature. And they ultimately get hurt the most by losing what little they have. And so I do feel like these cases are very important because, you know, again, we don't want people to be taken advantage of and people to lose uh what they have, especially in the case of people who are hardworking and may not have much in the first place, and then to lose what little savings or income, whatever it is they may have, it's just unfortunate.
SPEAKER_01It is really it it's really hard to see, especially the the groups of people that often get taken advantage of, like you said, it's it's usually elderly um or people that don't have much but do want to help. So the people who are the most susceptible to fraud cases, um, it it is a bit difficult to see that those are the ones that are being taken advantage of when those are the people that we should be trying to protect. So in your um experience with the fraud cases with the federal prosecutors, um do you is there any like case or experience that you can share with us that really made an impact on you since you've been handling those types of cases? Without obviously without sharing any information you can't share.
SPEAKER_03Uh I mean, I I would say every case we handle, um, not to be cliche, but it really does sort of have value and impact, uh, which is why I love this job. I mean, like I said, typically the cases we're dealing with, especially at the federal level, these are not usually low dollar cases. I mean, in many cases, these are individuals who've lost tens of thousands of dollars, their entire savings accounts, um, you know, money they had set aside for their grandkids or money for their retirement. And so usually when we get involved, it's because there's usually a high dollar amount tied to them. And so for each and every one of them, they have value. I mean, when you talk to these victims and you know they're telling you their story about how, you know, they got a call from the bank and the bank told them, you know, hey, you're suspected of fraud, transfer your money over here real quick. Or they think that they're talking to a relative who's like, I need help, you know, send me wire me money or send gift cards or crypto, things of that nature. And so, you know, it's things like I feel like for many of us, we hear it and it would immediately be a red flag. And I think that's the part that makes it all the worse is because you're taking advantage of somebody who would not immediately see the worst in what's being asked of them. So someone asking them for help, their first inclination is not, whoa, whoa, whoa, why should I be helping you? It's oh no, how can I help you? Or how can I, you know, do whatever it is you're asking me to do. And so, you know, just to hear people's story and just to kind of sit with them and talk with them as they realize they've been taken advantage of. And then, you know, in many of the cases, we can't promise them that we'll give their money back. I mean, all we could do is listen and do the best we can. And as people become more sophisticated with how they're committing these crimes, sometimes it's harder to recover it. And so I think, like I said, for each of these cases, they all kind of have their impact or their or special place. Of course, you feel better when you're able to do something to kind of help them recover or or get at least a part of what they lost back. But I would say all of them really do have value. And that's a big part of the reason why I love trying these cases is because they they each one has some value and some impact for the person we're helping.
SPEAKER_01Well, I I I know that for people in the community, we're grateful for all prosecutors, right? But the prosecutors that are really helping to protect people who are marginalized or um more susceptible to crime, um those prosecutors I I think we're especially grateful to because sometimes those people don't have a lot of people looking out for them. And so thank you for what you do and not having the passion that you have for it because it can, I know over time I used to be a prosecutor, but only at the state level. And um at times it's easy to like lose sight and just um you know work through the cases that you have. And so I've never done federal prosecution, so I think that might be helpful to have less of a caseload there, but um but it can still ru like it can still weigh on you heavily over time. Um, and like, am I making an impact? Is what I'm doing making a difference? And and so we just thank you for the work that you're doing and still having a passion for it.
SPEAKER_03Well, I will definitely say I know that feeling. Um, like I said, it's one of those things where you do. Um, a prosecutor is one of the few, if not only, areas of law where you don't have clients. And so it is a bit harder to sort of see the impact you're having. I mean, in the aggregate, you can believe that, hey, I put this bad guy away. So I think I'm doing good, I think I did something good, but it's very different when you don't directly have clients you work with who can tell you. And so, like you said, sometimes it can be hard. I mean, that was a big part of the reason why, even as a state prosecutor, um, I was doing domestic violence cases. And, you know, when you're talking about cases that deal with emotions and people's families and just those types of crimes, it's hard not to hold on to that and even somewhat internalize other people's problems. And so I think that's the thing that the older I've gotten, it it's become a lot easier, or not a lot easier, but I would say easier, um, to sort of put up dividers and where I can just completely disconnect and release everything. Uh, but like you mentioned, it's also very hard to not hold on to some of the things you hear because you realize it could be anybody, like anyone you know, anyone you love could easily be one of these victims. Um, and it's it's hard to not sometimes hold on to what's happening to people.
SPEAKER_00So yeah, for sure. No, I definitely understand that. Um, and I mean you brought up a lot of great points here. Public service work uh is is very rewarding. Uh the people that you get to help and and the the things you see and and the impact that you make is is very meaningful, and and it does come with challenges. I mean, the more interviews that we've that we've conducted and and discussions that we have, uh there are challenges. Compartmentalizing is one, and then um there's things that hit close to home, a lot of things um that other sectors in the legal field may not have to experience. And so in the same segue of you know, challenges, are there any challenges that you've experienced uh in your career either related to what you're doing on a day-to-day basis or maybe something personal and whatever you would like to share, but have there been any challenges? Um, and how have those challenges shaped the lawyer that you are today?
SPEAKER_03I think that with anything, um, there are definitely pros and cons. Um, like I said a few minutes ago, I think uh definitely one of the harder parts is realizing you can't help somebody you want to help. That definitely is something that um, you know, it takes a little while to get over, especially when you see a wrong and you want to right that wrong. Um, but I would say just in general, um, I would say one of things I love about being a prosecutor, and one of the things that uh I myself was guilty of is just in many cases, sort of the misconception of what prosecution is. So many people hear the term prosecutor and they just think immediately your job is to put someone in jail. Like you go after people and you put people in jail. And I definitely get where that comes from. I mean, especially with um, you know, television and movies and things like that. And don't get me wrong, I'm not saying all prosecutors are perfect, but I would say by and large, uh most if not many of the prosecutors I know are sort of driven by this idea of trying to seek justice and trying to do the right thing. And so, you know, like with any group, there are those who perhaps are overly zealous or go too far or maybe don't do what they're supposed to do. But I would say by and large, I think for most, if not many prosecutors, the goal really is to do whatever justice requires and are open to the idea of doing what is just for the circumstance. Um, I think another challenge, just in general, being first generation, being, you know, from an underrepresented group, is you oftentimes feel this sort of an imposter syndrome about, you know, what we do and being a lawyer in general, but also as a prosecutor. Um, even to this day, there's still something very surreal when I stand up in court and say, you know, Anthony Franklin on behalf of the United States. Um, and you know, I jokingly tell people it is, you know, part joke, but every day I have my bar license, I'm surprised I haven't lost it yet. Um, and I think in large part, not because I feel like I'm doing anything that would cause me to lose it, but it's still sort of surreal to think that this is the position I'm in. There are so many people who want to be lawyers, who want to be, you know, in these spaces. And for whatever reason, it just doesn't work out for them. And so to realize that for whatever reason I was blessed and fortunate enough where to all line up and for me to be doing what I want to do and to be in the position I want to be in, um, you know, it is sometimes you can feel like, should I really be the person who who's here? Uh, but I'm very grateful for it. And like I said, I enjoy what I do, I enjoy the people I work with, I enjoy hopefully the value that I'm adding to my position. And I really do think it's one of the best jobs in the world.
SPEAKER_01I think so many of us, especially first generation attorneys, I feel that imposter syndrome. I mean, I throughout my entire legal career, I still feel like that, right? Like I I walk up to a podium or I walk behind the bar and I'm just like, why would why would people listen to me? Um, not always, but sometimes it out of nowhere it just kind of hits and it feels like, do I belong how do I belong in the space? Um because it no one else I grew up with, no one, uh none of my family members, nobody was an attorney. So it does feel like you said, it it definitely feels surreal often and and that feeling has not completely gone away. And um, I'm in my 13th year of practice and I still I still get that feeling. Often, and I write a legal memo and I send it around or whatever that I'm doing. Sometimes I just feel, especially when I'm questioned, that like am I am I answering this right? Am I saying this right? But I know that I am, and I have to I have to trust myself and what I'm doing, but it does hit me still. And I in part I don't think um I don't think it'll kind of ever go away fully. I think it'll it might still remain as this little bug in my ear for probably the rest of my career. Um, but I think it also talking to so many attorneys that we have through the state bar and through um these podcasts, I I definitely don't feel alone in that.
SPEAKER_03And I think it's a good thing, though. I mean, if I'm honest, I think it's one of those things where that is always one of my prayers is that I will never get too comfortable, too, you know, settled that I forget why I do what I do. Like I forget the lessons my parents taught me. And so I do. I think sometimes feeling like an imposter, like you shouldn't be here, it also pushes you and drives you to continue doing what you set out to do. And so, you know, it's weird, but I try to see the good in things as best I can. And I think that's one of those things where it is. Like I hope to never get complacent, never feel like I belong here. As long as I feel like I am striving to prove I belong here, then hopefully that keeps me, you know, doing what I need to do and and really trying to achieve and and accomplish the things that I set out to do. So I would like to think there's some good to it also. So but we'll see.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, no, I I definitely think that. And just knowing that a lot of people feel the same way, I think that it does help drive people forward. And it also you almost become a mentor, even if it it's not on purpose, right? For other people to see you in those spaces, representation matters, and so like seeing people who look like you and talk like you in those types of spaces, it definitely drives other people to feel like, oh, I can I can do it too. Um, you talked you said something a little bit earlier about like um some prosecutors being over feeling a little overzealous, but overall um that they the most of the prosecutors you know their their purpose is to seek justice. I prosecuted just uh for about four years, um, and just on the state side. And I don't know if it was common for you um when you were on the state side, but I felt like that um maybe the little overzealous attorneys were very young, like right out of law school. And I think that over time being uh a prosecutor and seeing more cases and um and dealing with more of just the legal realm, that kind of thought process leaves you instead of I'm just here to get the bad guy, to how can I seek justice in this case? Like what is just um because the whoever the person accused is is probably facing their own issues and then victims um come in all different shapes and sizes. And so um, do you is that something that you feel like you saw um when you were maybe on the state side? I think in the federal level you have to have a lot a little bit more experience before you you come onto the the federal side.
SPEAKER_03Um no, I I definitely feel like I saw it there. Um, but it I don't think it was exclusive to age. Um, I think you know, for many people, prosecution is a great way to start off, especially if you have aspirations for other things like public office or things of that nature. Um, and so I will say, even historically, prosecution I felt like drew a certain type of person. Like it had a very strong appeal to a certain person, certain type of person who had certain aspirations. Um I think over the years, you know, like you mentioned, you are seeing more people from varied and diverse backgrounds get into prosecution. And I do I think that's important. Um, like I said, you definitely have those who they want to prosecute because they want to help. They see prosecution as a way to help their community be involved and ensure that you know justice is being done. And so by and large, I do feel like that's most people who become prosecutors. But I think some people, even when they have the best of intentions, uh, I've learned that experience, like you mentioned, can help shape how you view what is just and how you approach the job. And so to that extent, then yes, as you become older, I feel like if you as you have more life experiences, as you see more cases, that will definitely teach you a lot about what is justice and help you calibrate, you know, what is is appropriate, but also just people who have lived life. I mean, as you see people who've grown up in certain circumstances, who experience certain things, who again have seen people be involved with the criminal justice system, um, you can be young and still have that sense of just the gravity of what happens with prosecution and the criminal system. And I think, you know, regardless of your age, wherever you are, I think just being open-minded and trying to gain that experience, whether it be through life or just, you know, practicing long enough to learn those things, I do think it's important. Because, like I said, as a prosecutor, you have a lot of power, a lot of discretion, and the world is not as black and white as it sometimes can seem. There's many times a lot of gray. And I think that's why we have humans be in these roles, is so that we can appreciate the gray and figure out what justice requires based on the gray. And I think that's just something that as you get older, however you get the experience, like I said, whether it be from how you grew up or just practice long enough to get it, I definitely think that helps make a prosecutor a lot more well well-rounded and appreciative of just all the kind of variables that go into the system. For sure.
SPEAKER_00No, I think that's so insightful. Um, I mean, then we've spent some time on this interview talking about challenges and the rewarding factor of doing public service work and how at times you can feel like an imposter and how you know coming back to this gratefulness and and it kind of keeps your feet on the ground when you when you think of everything. Um, that gray area, it's so important. I guess what my question is, if if there's like a nugget or like a thing that you would like some like what is your what are your two cents with respect to either being a prosecutor or doing public service work? What is something that somebody can carry and and help them in in doing that type of work?
SPEAKER_03So I would say in terms of being a prosecutor, um, just remember the mission. That's the best advice I can give. Um, as we often are told and we often remind ourselves, our jobs are not to seek convictions, but to see that justice is done. And the fact that the, you know, the mission distinguishes between conviction and justice is how we know those are not interchangeable. And so I think as a prosecutor, keeping that in mind is that your job is to seek justice. And sometimes justice may not be a conviction. And so, but it's up to us to make sure we figure that out and keep it together. Um, in terms of public service, I think the advice I would give anyone is if you're interested in it, just try it out. Um, I think so often with public service, uh, especially as lawyers, there's so many other factors that can keep us from pursuing public service, uh, whether it be prestige, uh big one money, um, or even just not knowing where to go. And I think the beauty of being a lawyer is that there are so many things we are qualified to do without even realizing it. And so if anything inside of you is driving you towards public service, the best advice I can give someone is just try it and see what happens. I mean, so many of the things I've learned as a lawyer, so many of the experiences I've had is in part because I've tried to be open-minded to things and I give it a shot. I try it. If I like it, I keep doing it. If I don't, I do something else. And, you know, it's one of those things where I feel like you don't know what you don't know. And the only way to know what you don't know is to be open to learning what you don't know. And so public service, I think, can be extremely rewarding. Like there's so many things that public service can do. There's so many people who need public service. And I don't know, I guess at the end of the day, it's kind of like that that old adage, why not? I mean, if you have the ability to help somebody and you can be a benefit to somebody, why not do it? Like there doesn't have to be anything more than simply knowing the fact that you were able to help somebody, and that can be very rewarding in and of itself. And so I would just say if you think you're interested in it, you think you want to try it, and assuming you can do it, because I fully understand life happens sometimes. It's just not in the cards for some people. But if you're open to it and it's something that feasibly you can do, just give it a try and see if you like it. And if you do, keep doing it, and if you don't, pivot and do something else.
SPEAKER_00I think that's so important too. That the it's almost like a calling because what you said earlier about if you you you try it and if you like it, you keep doing it. If not, you move on. I think it's so important to enjoy what you're doing because it's very, it's very evident when you don't, and and the people that you're serving and and the work that you're doing is so important. Um, not to discredit anybody else's job, but public service work. I mean, who you're serving, what you know, values and and and things that that that you stand for, I mean, it's very, it's very important that you enjoy it and you you put your all into it and and it shows, I think it shows in in the work that you do.
SPEAKER_01And Anthony, if um, I don't know if you've ever spoken at like schools or anything like that when there's a career day. Um, but if one of the students or if a young law student were to come to you and be like, I'm kind of interested in becoming a prosecutor, but I don't know if that's what I should do. Um, what kind of advice or um questions or what would you say to those kids that are like, I might want to be a prosecutor, but I don't know.
SPEAKER_03I would be more than happy to talk to them. Um I am much better one-on-one. And so I would say to anyone who's considered being a prosecutor, um, like I said, try it out. I mean, it's one of those things where I feel like there's so many misconceptions I would say about prosecution. And I think if you are open to it and if you were considering it, um, like with anything, like our profession is not one where you pick one thing and you're married to it forever and ever. Like it's just not how it works, which is a great thing too. And so I think to anyone who's considering it, I I would say, you know, you try it out. Try it out for a year or two, see how you like it. If you enjoy it, keep doing it. And if you don't, do something else. Uh, I will tell anybody, I am more than happy to be open and honest with them about whatever they want to know. I feel like I did not have that growing up, and so I've made a point now that I'm in the place and space that I'm in to be as open and honest as I can about those kind of questions. And so I'm happy to tell people like with any job, there are pros and cons. There's some things you'll enjoy, some things you won't. But overall, I feel like I have definitely found more pros and more satisfaction in doing what I do. And in all honesty, I cannot imagine doing anything else. Now that's not saying that won't change in a couple of years or even later down the line, but in terms of where I'm at right now, I really cannot imagine myself doing or feeling more uh satisfaction and gratitude towards what I'm able to accomplish than in being a prosecutor. And so I would tell that person, give it a try, see what happens.
SPEAKER_01Absolutely. I think um I wasn't the type of person who grew up thinking I'm I'm gonna be a lawyer. I I never I I never thought that that was gonna be something in the future for me. And so when I did become a lawyer, uh I was still iffy. Like I didn't know what kind of law I wanted to practice or like in what space. And um I think over the years that I've been practicing, the thing that I've loved the most about being a lawyer is that there's so many ways to be a lawyer. Um I've done, like I said, I've done uh prosecution, I've done private practice, now I live work for a governmental entity. Like I love that like if something isn't for me, I'm able to recognize it and say, this was a great experience, I learned so much, but now I want to be a lawyer in this way. And so I think a lot of times when I'm talking to young people, I tell them if they're interested in being a lawyer, like go for it because there's it doesn't close doors, it just opens them. Like you just have so many different ways that you can be a lawyer and find fulfillment. And so if you practice in an area that you're like, this isn't for me, it's so easy to transition into another area of law because you're not limited as a lawyer. It's just the it's endless of the different, and there's law everywhere, there's lawyers for everything, and so some are harder to become. Um but overall, there's so many ways that you can be an attorney. And I think for myself, that's what I've really enjoyed because it's I also love learning and learning new things, and so uh there's just so much law out there, you can never know it all. And I just I I think for me, that's what I've really enjoyed about being a lawyer, is that there's just so many different ways to do it, and all of it kind of centers around helping people in all aspects of being a lawyer. It's about helping people, and and I just I love that.
SPEAKER_00Anthony, thank you for joining us today. It was great having you on the podcast, uh, talking with you, learning from you. Um, we really appreciate it. It was it was a great, great interview, great time.
SPEAKER_03Well, thank you. It was my pleasure. So thank you all for dragging me along.
SPEAKER_01And thank you for still having such a passion for being a prosecutor because a lot of people over time it does wear on them and and they move on. And so for you to still um love helping people and seeking justice in in a way that is actually just, um, that's something that we want from all prosecutors. So keep doing what you're doing.
SPEAKER_03Thank you. I appreciate it.
SPEAKER_00Thank you for joining us on For the Public, where we shine a light on the attorneys who strengthen our communities every day. We hope these conversations deepen your appreciation for public service and highlight the impact lawyers are making across Texas. Stay tuned as we continue sharing stories that honor their work and inspire the next generation of public minded leaders.