Lots of lawyers practice on both sides of a docket to gain experience before they become a trial judge. But Mike Miller saw both ends of criminal and civil law before putting on a robe.

When Miller graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1980, he headed to Dallas. Then-Dallas County District Attorney Henry Wade hired Miller, who became an assistant DA in 1981. Miller started in the misdemeanor division, then went to the organized crime division, where he prosecuted gamblers and con men.