During my years of private practice as an attorney in Charlotte, North Carolina, many clients have asked how I became an adoption attorney who also represents corporations and associations. I began work as a litigation attorney with a law firm in Charlotte that focused on family law. During that time, I worked on adoptions but also handled lawsuits for business clients. I enjoyed my work as an adoption attorney and cultivated adoption practice while continuing to represent business clients (some of whom have remained my clients for over 30 years).

Because of my litigation background, I have served as adoption counsel in many contested adoptions and termination of parental rights actions. These cases can be very difficult because of the emotional burdens that the parties experience. My experience as a trial attorney assists me in assessing risk in adoptive placements and advising adoptive parents or an adoption agency about legal risks before birth or adoption placement.

My litigation and transactional background also helps me advise corporate clients more effectively. 

I have been married to my wife, Mary Beth, since 1982. We have three adult children. My son, Thomas, practices law with me. I grew up in Asheville, NC and have a deep love for the mountains. I enjoy hiking, camping and soccer, and have worked in outreach to refugee youth and their families in inner city Charlotte for over 20 years.