I am a 67 year old retired attorney, one time public defender, later prosecutor, appellate litigator (death penalty defense before the California Supreme Court), entrepreneurial lawyer - lots of stuff. I am also a working writer, with a couple of short stories going strong on Amazon (30,000 plus sales) and two novels. This may sound like the back of a book jacket, but I am not writing to boast, but to provide the basis of the claim of a substantial background in all types of writing, particularly expository writing (of which legal writing is only a subcategory) and most other forms of written expression. Obviously, a career as a trial lawyer implies substantial experience with public speaking and personal presentation. By education, inclination and career choice, I am comfortably knowledgeable in literature, history, and social studies.

Although I will scrupulously abide by the business protocols of Wyzant Tutoring, my primary motivation is not financial. I am too old and financially secure for a full-time job, but too young (I hope) for the rocking chair. I'd like to provide some meaningful benefit from this life experience to a young person who can derive value from it, my own children being grown and launched. I'm interested in the mentoring relationship - I won't proceed with your child unless (s)he likes me, and I like him/her, and we can both see some good coming out of the sessions - not to mention having a little fun along the way.

Technically, I can't hold myself out as an ACT/SAT writing tutor, as I am not familiar with the content of those tests. But I can say that sessions with me will improve the student's critical thinking skills, essential to being a good expository writer, student of history, or reader of literature. Basic analytical skill is the key to everything.