Honors and Awards:

• Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The American Assoication for Justice; Member of the Milliion Dollar Advocates Forum; Member of Law Dragon 3000; J.D. with Honors;  Board of Editors North Carolina Law Review, 1986-87; Staff Member North Carolina Law Review, 1985-86;  Phi Beta Kappa, University of North Carolina.

Special Licenses/Certifications:

• Certified North Carolina Superior Court Mediator

Bar/Professional Activity:

• Federal Claims Court
• U.S. District Court Western District of North Carolina
• U.S. District Court Middle District of North Carolina
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina
• North Carolina
• Member of the Leaders Forum of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice; President's Club member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice; County Captain for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice; The American Assoication for Justice; Mecklenburg County Bar Association; Past member of the Mecklenburg County Bar Public Information and Education Committee; National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; Legal Services for the Elderly.

Pro bono/Community Service:

• Mayor Pro-Tem, Matthews Town Council, NC, 1997-99; Board of Commissioners, Matthews Town Council, NC, 1993-97; Legal Services for the Elderly; President and Member of the Board of Directors, Providence Plantation Racquet and Swim Club.
• Member Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, 2010

Scholarly Lectures and Writings:

• "Bad Faith Refusal To Pay First Party Insurance Claims, A Growing Recognition Of Extra-Contract Damages," N.C. Law Review, Vol. 64, 1986:  "Psychiatrists' Liability To Third Parties For Harmful Acts Committed By Dangerous Patients," N.C. Law Review, Vol. 64, 1986.

Verdicts and Settlements:

• $3,000,0000.00 - Settlement for client who sustained catastrophic burn injuries from an arc flash explosion while working on an engergized electrical panel at a major industrial facility in Charlotte, NC.  $3,000,000.00 - Settlement for client who sustained a gunshot injury to her spine in a robbery outside a business establishment in Charlotte.  The business was sued for failing to provide adequate security for its customers.  $2,500,000.00 - Settlement for client whose wife suffered a severe and irreversible brain injury due to the physician's failure to properly intubate his wife.  $2,500,000.00 - Settlement for client who sustained severe injuries, including a head injury and multiple orthopedic injuries, after being struck in a crosswalk by a drunk driver.  $2,200,000.00 - Settlement for clients injured in a collision with a dump truck that turned in front of clients' vehicle, resulting in severe fractures.  $1,750,000.00 - Settlement for client who was terminated from employment due to age discrimination.  $1,675,000.00 - Settlement for client who was not informed by two physicians of test results indicating she had lymphoma, resulting in a spread of the disease.  $1,600,000.00 - Settlement for client who sustained a severe hip injury in a head-on collision with a tractor-trailer.  $1,550,000.00 - Settlement for client who sustained catastrophic burn injuries when a light pole he was erecting came into contact with a high voltage power line. $1,539,000.00 - Jury verdict for client who sustained bilateral shoulder injuries due to a defective ramp that collapsed underneath him (John Belton v. Barnhardt Manufacturing, Inc., Mecklenburg County).  $1,500,000.00 - Settlement for client whose infant son died due to a botched kidney surgery.  $1,225,000.00 - Settlement for client who sustained a brain infection from an abscessed tooth that went untreated.  $1,185,000.00 - Settlement for banking client who sustained losses at ATM machines due to misappropriation of cash by a vendor servicing the ATM machines.  $1,120,000.00 - Jury verdict for client who suffered crush injuries when a crane he was dismantling collapsed on top of him, resulting in severe fractures and permanent injuries. $1,000,000.00 - Settlement for minor client who was sexually molested at a church after school program by an employee of the church.  $1,000,000.00 - Jury verdict for client whose husband was killed by a fellow employee who had repeatedly threatened other employees.  The verdict was based on the defendant's failure to provide adequate security for its employees (Samantha Thornton, Administratrix v. Crown Cab Company, 97 CVS 12964, Mecklenburg County)

Other Outstanding Achievements:

• Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The American Trial Lawyers Association

Video:

• Firm overview and practice areas

Educational Background:

• University of North Carolina, B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, 1984
• University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D. with Honors, 1987