About Us

Hal has always had a passion for helping people. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona in 1992 in creative writing, then promptly went out and became a police officer. He served for 25 years with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, serving in the Highway Patrol division, the State Gang Task Force, S.W.A.T. as a crisis negotiator, and general and special investigations involving nearly everything from narcotics to homicide.

While working as a detective during the latter half of his law enforcement career, Hal discovered a fascination with law. He embarked on a course of study at Pima Community College in Paralegal Studies, earning his post-degree certificate in 2018. Since then, he has worked as a paralegal in personal injury law, wrongful death, medical malpractice defense, and consumer fraud.

When Hal learned of the LP tier of legal service providers, he realized the possibility and responsibility of providing access to justice across a wider cross-section of society. He went back to school, graduating summa cum laude from the James E. Rogers College of Law at the University of Arizona with his Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree in May of 2024. He subsequently underwent licensing exams and personal examination by the Arizona Supreme Court's Board of Nonlawyer Legal Service Providers, who granted Hal his LP license in Family Law in May of 2025 and in limited-jurisdiction Civil Law in July of 2025.

Hal understands and appreciates that people almost never need to seek legal help when they are having just a peachy day. In the family law arena, in fact, people may be going through the worst time of their lives. Hal will help guide you and hopefully help make your situation even a little less stressful. To this end, Hal founded Vanguard West Legal Services, PLLC.

Outside of law, Hal enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with his wife, Charlotte, and their adult son, who is seeking his own path into the field of astronomy.