Thank you for taking a moment to learn more about my background.  I hope that you find that my upbringing, education, professional experience and civic involvement give you confidence to support me in my bid for another term as a judge of the North Carolina Superior Court. 

 

I was raised in Raleigh, in the Laurel Hills neighborhood near Crabtree Valley Mall.  I attended Martin Junior High (where my wife claims we met for the first time, although I don’t remember her from those days) and Sanderson High School (’78).    

 

My parents were both educators.   My father was a professor of physics and statistics at NC State University for many years until his retirement in 2003.  My mother, now deceased, was a much-loved teacher in the Wake County Public Schools with a particular talent for ministering to non-English speaking children immigrating to our community.   She was also active in local government.  Both she and my father instilled in me a deep commitment to public service.

 

My wife, Laura, also grew up in Raleigh.    We have been married for 27 years.    Laura works for the Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines, although she is best known throughout the area as an accomplished jazz vocalist.  Together we have two sons: Isaac, a freshman at NC State (he claims he someday wants to be lawyer!) and David, a junior at Broughton High School.   As a family, we love to travel (many soccer tournaments over the years), cook, hike in the mountains, and fish at the beach.  We attend Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

 

For two decades, from 1987 to 2007, I was engaged in the private practice of law in Raleigh.    My practice consisted of commercial litigation, providing advice to businesses both large and small, and administrative law matters before state and local regulatory agencies.  I greatly enjoyed my law practice – I had the privilege of being a partner with outstanding colleagues and I found great satisfaction in helping clients resolve disputes and achieve their business and personal aspirations.  For nearly 20 years, I have also been an adjunct professor of law at Campbell Law School, where I currently teach a seminar on International Commercial Litigation in the fall, and a seminar on Law and Public Policy in the spring.

 

In 2006, I was elected to the Superior Court.  Since becoming a judge, I have presided over hundreds of criminal, civil and administrative matters in over 30 counties in North Carolina.   In addition to my regular duties in the judicial districts to which I’m assigned, I am routinely appointed by the Chief Justice of North Carolina to adjudicate exceptional and complex commercial and constitutional matters throughout the State.  I consider the trust you have placed in me to preside in the courts of our State to be one of the greatest honors – and one of the greatest responsibilities – in our democracy.   

 

I am frequently asked whether, as a judge, I have developed a “judicial philosophy.”  In response, I can only say this:  I strive to serve as a judge in accordance with the Scriptural instruction to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly.” I seek to apply the law as it is written in a fair and even-handed manner consistent with my oath of office.  And I try to treat each person who appears before me in court with dignity, respect, courtesy and professionalism.

 

Education:

NC State University, B.S. (’82),

NC State University, Masters of Public Administration (’90)

Campbell University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, cum laude (’86)

            Editor-in-Chief, Campbell Law Review (1985-86)

University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Diploma – Law of the European Union (’87)

 

Professional Organizations and Honors:

President, Wake County Bar Association (2002-03)

            Chair, Wake County Bar Association Public Service Committee (1996-02)

            Member, Strategic Planning Implementation Committee (2011- )

Vice-President, North Carolina Bar Association (2012-13)

NCBA Council member of various Sections, including Antitrust & Trade Regulation, International Law, Law Practice Management (chair) and Litigation

Commissioner, Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism (2013- )

Commissioner, Chief Justice’s Commission on Future of the Business Court (2003)

Martindale Hubbell “AV Preeminent” peer rating (1990 - )

Outstanding Alumni – Campbell Law School Law Review - 2006

 

Civic Organizations and Honors:

Commissioner, Rural Internet Access Authority (2000-03)

President, NCSU Alumni Association (2013)

Chair, Caldwell Fellowship Committee, NCSU Alumni Association (2009-12)

Alumni Association Board of Directors (2004 - )

Board of Directors, NC State University Foundation (2013)

Board of Advisors, School of Public and International Affairs, NCSU (2010- )

Outstanding Alumni – School of Public and International Affairs, NCSU (2011)

Capital Area Teen Court – volunteer judge (2007- )

NCAJ High School Mock Trial Competition – volunteer coach and judge (2007- )

Board member – various non-profit organizations in Wake County engaged in service to

homeless families, elderly and education.