Professional Activities
Bar Associations: Wake County Bar Association; North Carolina Bar Association; American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, State Bar of North Carolina, State Bar of South Carolina and the Georgia Bar Association.

Admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court; the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina, and the Northern District of Georgia; and all state courts for North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.


Education
B.A., 1981, Davidson College

J.D., 1984, Wake Forest University School of Law,
cum laude, Fletcher Scholar, Wake Forest Law Review.


Prior Legal Employment
Member, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, 1992-January 2010.
Associate, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, 1985-1992.
Summer Associate, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, 1982.

Associate, Kilpatrick & Cody, 1984-1985.
Summer Associate, Kilpatrick & Cody, 1983.


Publications and Presentations
"Corporations-A New Approach in Fulfilling Shareholders' Expectations in Close Corporations: Meiselman v. Meiselman," 20 Wake Forest Law Review 505 (1984).

“Economist Experts: The Defense Perspective,” Understanding and Presenting Technical and Economic Evidence and Experts in Litigation (June 7, 1991 NC Bar Foundation CLE).

“Defense Perspective on Expert Witnesses: Addressing Liability Issues in a Products Case,” Products Liability 1996 (January 12, 1996 NCATL Education Foundation, Inc.).

“NC EIFS Litigation: A Perspective on the Current Status and Issues from A Manufacturer’s Counsel,” Advanced Synthetic Stucco Update Trial and Beyond (May 14, 1999 NC Bar Foundation CLE).

“Experts in Construction Defect Lawsuits The Defense View: Random Practical Observations For Use as a Defense Expert Primer,” Defective Work, Effective Litigation, Claims, Coverage and Trends (October 4, 2002 ABA Forum on the Construction Industry).


Reported Decisions
Cacha v. Montaco, Inc., 147 N.C.App. 21, 554 S.E.2d 388, Prod.Liab.Rep. (CCH) P 16,212 (N.C.App. 2001).

Sto Corp. v. Lancaster Homes, Inc, 11 Fed.Appx. 182, 2001 WL 431504 (4th Cir. 2001).

Pine State Creamery Co. v. Land-O-Sun Dairies, Inc., 201 F.3d 437 (4th Cir. 1999).

Land-O-Sun Dairies, Inc. v. Pine State Creamery Co., 200 B.R. 125 (E.D.N.C. 1996).

Bailey v. State, 468 S.E.2d 775 (N.C. 1996).

Butler v. Burroughs Wellcome, Inc., 920 F.Supp. 90, 9 A.D. Cases 3, 15 A.D.D. 1266 (E.D.N.C. 1996).

Swanson v. Faulkner, 55 F.3d 956, 19 Employee Benefits Cas. 1577 (4th Cir. 1995).

Vincent v. United Technologies Corp., 854 F.2d 1318 (4th Cir. 1988).

B.V.I. Industries, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp., 826 F.2d 1059 (4th Cir. 1987).


Major Trials
Grindstaff v. Grindstaff: North Carolina state court bench trial, involuntary dissolution proceeding and valuation of a family closely-held corporation.

White Chemical v. Chatham Industries, et. al.: Federal court jury trial of a patent infringement action involving fire retardant for fabric used nationally in automobile seats.

Alford v. Shaw: North Carolina state court bench trial review of special committee business judgment decision to dismiss shareholder derivative action over objection of minority shareholder.

Texgas Co. v. RegO Co.: Florida state court jury trial of allegations that propane valve was defective and caused massive fire which destroyed historic Cuban Club building in Key West, Florida and injured restaurant patron.

State v. Hannon: North Carolina state court jury trial of male teacher’s aide for engaging in sex with 15 year old mentally retarded female student.

Bailey v. State of North Carolina: North Carolina state court bench trial of state retiree claims for refunds of unconstitutional taxes on retirement benefits.

Pepper v. Lancaster Homes, Inc., et. al.: North Carolina state court jury trial of homeowner’s claims against general contractor, subcontractors and materials suppliers for water damage including claims for alleged defects in EIFS exterior siding.

Sto v. Lancaster Homes, Inc.: North Carolina federal court jury trial of manufacturer’s claims by assignment from homeowners against general contractor for water damage.

Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital v. Sto Corp.: South Carolina state court trial of commercial construction claims including claims for water damage.


Significant Representations
National representation in class action, multi-district and multi-forum litigation against manufacturers of synthetic stucco including service as liaison counsel in Ruff, et. al. v. Parex, et. al. class litigation before the North Carolina Business Court.

National Counsel defending fire and explosion lawsuits involving propane equipment, and defending use of Delaware Safe Harbor provisions to properly allocate assets to potential products liability tail claimants including work on significant cases litigated in the courts of Arizona, New Jersey, Florida, Missouri, Alaska, Delaware, Illinois and Kansas.

North Carolina state counsel in multi-district pedicle screw litigation.

North Carolina state counsel in multi-district PPA litigation.

Defense of suits involving BlackHawk helicopters.

Representation of bank in obtaining injunctive relief against mass tort plaintiffs and co-defendants based upon Bankruptcy Act and judgment reduction provision in settlement agreement arising out of Hamlet, North Carolina chicken plant fire.

Representation relating to expert accounting and economic analysis witnesses in litigation arising out of acquisition of one of the world’s largest mobile home dealerships.

Class action representation of governmental retirees in obtaining refunds in excess of one half billion dollars of unconstitutional and discriminatory taxes collected by the State of North Carolina.

Representation of life insurance conglomerate parent corporation in landmark litigation establishing parameters of business judgment rule and use of special litigation committees to address shareholder derivative claims.

Representation relating to economic analysis and modeling in antitrust litigation initiated by tobacco growers.

Defense of copyright litigation about computer aided design software brought based upon a “look, touch, feel” theory.

Technology Experience
Continuous and active use of cutting edge technology in support of practice of law for over twenty five years including:

•	Deep and broad experience with litigation support technology including document systems, trial presentation systems, trial preparation systems, and other law firm technologies;
•	Designed, developed and implemented over fifteen different technology systems with accompanying procedures and processes including document systems, matter management systems, financial systems, imaging systems and miscellaneous information systems;
•	Limited programming experience;
•	Employment
•	Experience with over 100 different software applications;
•	Limited to moderate experience with numerous operating systems for mainframes, mini-computers, personal computers and handhelds;
•	Experience with most peripheral devices and with basic network design principles including IP protocols, web enablement and internet connectivity;
•	Extensive familiarity with technology usage trends in the legal industry.

FirmLogic, LP, 2000-2002, Member Board of Directors and active in founding efforts of this law firm owned but independently operated practice support company.


Community Activities & Government Experience
North Carolina Department of Transportation: Summer intern, Office of Secretary, 1979; Engineering Aide, 1980.

Highland Presbyterian Church, Winston-Salem, NC: Elder, Deacon, Chair, Board of Deacons, Chair, Finance Committee, Chair, Stewardship Committee.

First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh, NC: Elder, Deacon, Chair of Stewardship, Christian Education, and Youth and Young Adult Committees, Chair, Child Development Center Advisory Commitee, President, Foundation, Youth Advisor, High School Sunday School Teacher, Sunday Night Meals Volunteer, Youth Mission Trip Volunteer.

Capital Towers, Inc., past Board Member and President.

Post-Katrina rebuilding efforts in New Orleans, seven trips since 2006.


Lifetime Achievements
Eagle Scout.

Married, in 30th year: wife, Beth. Four Children: Elizabeth, Marcus, Anne and Robert.

Travel to 48 different states, 25 national parks, and 13 foreign countries.