A native Houstonian, Laura graduated with a B.A. from The University of North Carolina, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1980. Three years later, she graduated from The University of Texas School of Law. Laura went on to practice law in Houston with Wood, Campbell, Moody and Gibbs and as General Counsel at Hobby Communications, Inc. She has been a community volunteer in both Houston and Austin where she served as Chair of the University of Texas at Austin Development Board. In light of her commitment to volunteering, she received the UT Law School’s Award for Community Service in 2005. She also serves on the Executive Committees of KLRU and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at UT Austin.