Blake grew up in San Angelo, Texas before moving to Austin to attend the University of Texas.  He earned his BA in American Studies with a minor in Government before returning to West Texas to attend the Texas Tech School of Law on a full Regent's Scholarship.  While in law school he was a founding board member of the Student Public Interest Initiative, the social director of the Board of Barristers and a member of the institution's curriculum committee.  He began his career in public interest law with summer clerkships at the Texas Civil Rights Project, Jane's Due Process, and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.  After practicing as a plaintiff's attorney in the area of employment discrimination and workplace safety, he became General Counsel to a statewide political campaign where he became educated on Texas campaign finance and election law, and solidified his interest in public policy.  He has served as a committee clerk in the Texas House and is knowledgeable on legislative process and parliamentary procedure.  Blake and his wife live in central Austin with their daughter and their chocolate Labrador, Arnold.  On nights when he's not playing volleyball, Blake can be found in his kitchen where he enjoys cooking and eating with his family and friends.