Born in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1945, Joe Poe was raised and educated in Durham, North Carolina, graduating from Duke University in 1967. He obtained his law degree (J.D.) from Columbia University School of Law in New York City in 1970 and also received a Masters of Law Degree (LL.M.) from New York University School of Law in 1975. Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Poe was an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx, New York (1970 to 1975) and a Special Deputy Attorney General for the State of North Carolina in charge of the anti-trust and other divisions of the North Carolina Department of Justice (1975 to 1977).

Mr. Poe’s primary area of practice is civil litigation. He is a trial lawyer concentrating on personal injury matters as well as commercial litigation both for the Plaintiff and Defendant. His representation of Plaintiffs has resulted in numerous significant jury verdicts and settlements, including the largest personal injury recovery in North Carolina as reported by Lawyers Weekly in 1995. Mr. Poe also provides defense services for his corporate clients, which include national transportation companies. Mr. Poe is actively involved in community affairs. He is married to the former Dian L. Heffner, and has two daughters, Tracy and Tara. He has five grandchildren. Mr. Poe is a licensed private pilot, karate instructor, avid scuba diver, and underwater photographer.