Although I have practiced law in Durham, North Carolina for more than forty years, , I grew up in the small eastern North Carolina town of Red Springs. After graduating from UNC-CH, I spent three years in the Army, serving from 1969-70 in Vietnam as a forward observer with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.

I have been in practice in Durham since January of 1974. Since beginning my legal career in Durham in 1974, I have an active member of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice; the National Academy of Trial Lawyersand the National Advocates for Justice; The American Board of Trial Advocates (made up of attorneys for plaintiffs and defendants]; theMillion Dollar Advocates Forum, and the Triangle Circle of Advocates, among other groups.  I have been honored to present a number of lectures and presentations to professional CLE programs.

I have always been active in the UNC Law Alumni, serving most recently on the Board of the UNC Chapel Hill Alumni Board.

In my life outside the law, I am an ordained Elder in the Westminster Church in Durham. I also enjoy outdoor activities of all types and spending time with family and friends. I regularly compete in triathlons throughout North Carolina, and I especially enjoy fly fishing, salt water fishing, canoeing, sailing,  duck and bird hunting.  I am a history buff and enjoy reading history and traveling.