Vaavia Rudd was born and raised in Hereford, Texas.  She was the youngest of six children raised on the family farm that was established in 1906.  She graduated from Hereford High School in 1990 and Texas Tech University in 1993.  She then attended Texas Tech School of Law and graduated in 1996.  After law school, Vaavia returned to Hereford to work in a small town firm that handled all aspects of law, including real estate, commercial, probate, criminal and family law.  After three years, Vaavia came to realize that she was, at heart, a trial lawyer.  She went to work for the Potter County Attorney’s office as a prosecutor and then in 2003, Vaavia opened her own firm primarily focusing on family and criminal law. 

Since 2003, Vaavia has developed a reputation as a zealous advocate for all her clients.  She has been the president of the Panhandle Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Panhandle Family Lawyers Association.  She was the 2021 Mediator of the Year for the Dispute Resolution Center.  Vaavia’s biggest asset is her servant’s heart and desire to help those who cannot help themselves.  She has a passion for mentorship and helping young people to reach their dreams.  Vaavia loves everything outdoors and being a “Boy Mom” .

Brianna was born and raised in West Texas. She attended Texas Christian University where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Political Science.  In 2019, she graduated from UNT Dallas College of Law. She worked as an Administrative Law Judge for the Texas Workforce Commission and the Arizona Department of Economic Security thereafter. She recently transitioned to indigent criminal defense in an effort to expand her ability to assist those in her community.

Ethan was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He joined the Potter Armstrong MAC program in August of 2022. Ethan attended Texas Tech University School of Law, where he was a 3rd year student attorney with the Caprock Regional Public Defender’s Office representing indigent clients in rural counties surrounding Lubbock. In his free time, he enjoys hanging out with his dog Luna and spending time with family and friends.

Haley was born and raised in Amarillo, TX.  She worked for the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum while studying Computer Information Systems and Marketing. She later took a position as a software specialist and legal secretary at the 47th District Attorneys office, where she worked for over seven years.  This later led her to the opportunity to help oversee the newly created Managed Assigned Counsel office, where she looks forward to assisting her amarillo and legal community. 

Haley enjoys all things music, cooking, gardening, and riding her dirt bike in her spare time.  

Yvonne was born in Amarillo, Texas, but grew up in Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico and Scottsdale, Arizona. She returned to Amarillo as an adult to raise her child with family.  Yvonne obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from WTAMU.

Yvonne worked as a legal assistant for private criminal defense attorneys for 13 years. An opportunity arose where she was able to implement her degree and joined the mental health field as a Qualified Mental Healthcare Professional case manager for TCOOMMI. Yvonne later transitioned to being a community supervision officer for a brief time. Mental health services called to her again, wherein Yvonne returned to working as a QMHP case manager for high level of care clients assisting them in the specialized courts such as Mental Health Court and Drug Court.  The latest experience Yvonne has learned from is in working directly with the general public.

By joining the Potter, Armstrong Public Defenders & Managed Assigned Counsel Office as the Mental Health Case Worker, she has found a place that fuels her passion while utilizing her experiences in the legal, mental health and public fields.

 Yvonne enjoys spending time with her two children, her significant other and the family’s English Bull Dog.

Prior to joining our Managed Assigned Counsel team, Samantha gained experience as a paralegal while working for a local trial attorney. Samantha has experience in various areas of law- Criminal, Federal, Family, Civil, Administration and Appeals.

Samantha is well versed with trial preparation and has managed and created trial exhibits, trial notebooks, binders and more. She is also adept and assisting with legal research. She prides herself on being detail-oriented and is passionate about her role as a paralegal.

Samantha’s responsibilities include assisting the team with filings, case management, and trial preparation. She is an integral part of the MAC team and provides support across the board to attorneys and staff.