Honors and Awards: 2007, 2008 Mid-South Super Lawyers;  2008 & 2009 Best Lawyers in America; 2008  American Trial Lawyers Association, Top 100 Trial Lawyers; Robert W. Ritchie Award for Outstanding Service to the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers  2004; 2001 Lionel Barrett, Jr. Award for Outstanding Work in the Death Penalty Arena, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; 2007 Appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives to a 6 year term on the Tennessee Judicial Evaluation Commission. 

Special Licenses/Certifications: Certified Criminal Trial Specialist in Tennessee; Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy

Bar/Professional Activity: President,  Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers  August 2005 to August 2006; Executive Committee, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 2001 to 2007; Board of Directors, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,  2001 to 2008; Executive Committee, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 2003-04 and 2006-07; Parliamentarian,  National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers 2003; President, Criminal Law Section, Memphis Bar Association 1998

Pro bono/Community Service: This firm keeps at least one active pro-bono case, usually a first degree murder indictment where it appears that the government is substantially over charging the accused or that the accused is actually innocent. Two recent first degree cases were resolved favorably - one by jury verdict of a misdemeanor and 11/29 probation, the other by negotiation as a reckless homicide with 2 years probation.

Scholarly Lectures and Writings: While President of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, six articles were written for publication in the TACDL's bi-monthly magazine, For The Defense.  The June 2007 article was written in memory of my colleague and friend, Robert Wayne Ritchie, one of the finest lawyers and people I have ever known.  The other writings were intended as a trumpet call to the criminal defense lawyers of Tennessee - a trumpet call to learn and develop the skills of advocacy and persuasion needed to thrive in today's hostile adversarial environment. October 2006 "Offer the Olive Branch, But Grip the Sword; "December 2006 "Offer the Olive Branch, But Grip the Sword"; February 2007 "Offer the Olive Branch, But Grip the Sword"; April 2007 "The Heart of a Fighter"; June 2007 "We Will Remember" August 2007 "A Collage from a Believer".Lectures and presentations are too numerous to list here. Please refer to the Resume/CV section for a listing of national presentations as well as those in Tennessee.

Verdicts and Settlements: Here are some highlights from cases defended over the last 7 years. Many involve the most serious charge - homicide. There have been other trials on other offenses with favorable results, and there have been numerous felony drug charges reduced to misdemeanors - too many for this list. But no lawyer can win every case. While I cannot promise these results in every case, I hope to show that they are indeed obtained with consistency. Each case presents its own battle. 2009 First Degree Murder. Negotiated dismissal. Client is home. 2008  Jury Trial on Aggravated Robbery. Not Guilty jury verdict in 29 minutes. 2008 Jury Trial on Second Degree Murder. Not Guilty jury verdict. 2008 Jury Trial on Second Degree Murder. Jury Verdict of Reckless Homicide, 3 year sentence @ 30%. Client is home. 2008 Jury Trial on Second Degree Murder. Jury Verdict of Reckless Homicide, sentence pending. Client is home. 2008   First Degree Murder. Negotiated Plea of Reckless Homicide. 2 year sentence to probation. Client is home. 2008 Drug Case, 56 pounds of cocaine. Negotiated Plea to 8 years probation. Client is home. 2008 Class A Drug Case, 4 kilos of Cocaine.  Negotiated Dismissal. Client is home. 2006 First Degree Murder Indictment. Negotiated Plea of Voluntary Manslaughter. 2006 Class A Aggravated Child Abuse. Negotiated Dismissal. 2006 Drug Case, 34 pounds of Cocaine. Drugs suppressed, case dismissed.2006  Federal Multi-National RICO Indictment.  Negotiated Plea to a misdemeanor with probation with a binding plea agreement. 2005 Jury Trial on First Degree Murder. Not Guilty jury verdict.  2004 Jury Trial on First Degree Murder. Jury Verdict of Voluntary Manslaughter.  6 year sentence @ 30%. Client is home. 2004 Jury Trial on First Degree Murder Indictment. Noticed for life without parole. Jury Verdict of Negligent Homicide. 1 year sentence @ 30%. Client is home.  2004 Jury Trial on First Degree Murder. Jury Verdict of Misdemeanor Reckless Endangerment. Sentence of 11 months and 29 days probation. Client is home. 2004  Jury Trial on Drug Case, Possession with Intent to Sell Cocaine in Lauderdale Co. Not Guilty jury verdict in less than 30 minutes. 2004 First Degree Murder charge. Negotiated Plea to Reckless Homicide. Sentenced to 2 years probation. Client is home. 2003 Jury Trial on First Degree Murder. Noticed for life without parole. Jury Verdict of Reckless Homicide. Sentenced to 5 years @ 35%. Client is home. 2003 Jury Trial on First Degree Murder. Noticed for life without parole. Jury Verdict of Voluntary Manslaughter. Sentenced to 6 years @ 30%. Client is home.