Education

• J.D., Wake Forest School of Law, 1982. Research Editor, Wake Forest Law Review.
• M.A., Central Michigan University, 1980
• B.E.D., magna cum laude, Texas A&M University, 1974

Representative Experience

• Representation of a financial institution in a dispute involving architectural copyright infringement
• Representation of a winery in a dispute involving claims of copyright infringement, conversion, and unfair trade practices
• Representation of alcoholic beverage distributor regarding trademark infringement, unfair competition, and unfair and deceptive trade practices
• Representation of financial institution in a dispute involving patent infringement of a business methods patent
• Representation of a corporation in a dispute involving trademark infringement and unfair and deceptive trade practices
• Representation of individuals in a Clean Water Act (CWA) and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
• Representation of a financial institution in an income tax challenge involving Market Discount Income
• Representation of a transportation company regarding corporate governance and breach of fiduciary duty
• Representation of a physician and inventor regarding breach of contract to pay royalties on medical device
• Representation of a sign company in a dispute involving copyright infringement and unfair and deceptive trade practices
• Representation of a community college in a construction dispute involving asbestos abatement
• Representation of a technology company regarding trademark infringement, unfair competition, and unfair and deceptive trade practices
• Representation of a medical device company in a dispute involving patent infringement on a medical device (Multi-District Litigation)
• Representation of a hotel chain regarding trademark infringement, unfair competition, and unfair and deceptive trade practices
• Representation of an engineering company in a dispute involving patent royalties for mechanical devices
• Representation of a financial institution in a commercial dispute involving breach of contract and an indemnification provision

Honors and Distinctions*

Professional and Community Affiliations

• American Bar Association — Sections: Business Law; Intellectual Property Law; Litigation; Tort Trial and Insurance Practice
• American Institute of Architects
• BarCares of North Carolina, Inc. (former board member)
• Barrister, Order of Juris
• Carolina Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law Association, Inc.
• Diversity Law Institute, Member
• Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court
• Federal Bar Association
• North Carolina Bar Association — Sections: Antitrust and Complex 
• Business Disputes Law; Construction Law; Intellectual Property Law; 
• Litigation
• North Carolina State Bar (Board of Law Examiners, Select Drafting Committee; Bar Candidate Committee, Third Judicial District)
• Trial Law Institute, Member

Admitted to Practice

• North Carolina, 1982
• All state courts in North Carolina
• United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of North Carolina
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• United States Supreme Court

About Me

I am provided each day with opportunity to represent clients who are confronted with important, challenging and interesting issues.  I take seriously the responsibility that comes along with the confidence placed in me by these clients.  I approach their issues with client-focus, commitment, integrity and professionalism.  Among the most rewarding parts of the privilege I have to represent clients for 35 years is the relationship I have developed with clients whose trust has been earned and tempered by time and experience.