Gwen obtained her undergraduate degree in business administration from Tarleton State University. She earned her law degree from St. Mary's University School of Law in 1994. Gwen is a fellow of the Collin County Bench Bar Foundation and her association memberships include the State Bar of Texas, the College of the State Bar, the Collin County Bar Association, and the Plano Bar Association. She is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Gwen currently serves the Collin County Bar Association as Immediate Past President and serves on the board of the Collin County Bench Bar Foundation. Her past board services for the Plano Bar Association include: Newsletter Co-Editor 2000-2001, President-Elect 2001-2002, President 2002-2003, and Past President 2003-2004. Her past board services for the Collin County Bar Association include: Director 2002-2003, Secretary 2003-2004, President-Elect 2004-2005, and President 2005-2006.