A native of New Bern, North Carolina, Joe is a leader of the firm. His practice addresses the diverse legal needs of the firm’s business, as well as individual clients. Joe began his legal career as a Wall Street commercial litigator. That experience, combined with his broad-based business representation after he returned home to North Carolina, gives his practice a sophisticated and multi-dimensional quality. Joe has successfully opposed major law firms in complex commercial and civil litigation matters nationally, and he has structured and implemented numerous intricate commercial and banking transactions.
EXPERIENCE
Joe’s practice is ideally suited to the varied needs of growing businesses. In the 1980’s, Joe established a close working relationship with a local North Carolina bank. That bank is now a large regional institution and we are one of its lead law firms, working on a wide variety of significant banking matters. He serves effectively as outside counsel for a host of small and medium-sized businesses, which include an investment advisor firm; medical, veterinary and engineering practices; regional residential and commercial real estate companies; a locally-owned oil company; finance company; metal recycler; exterminator; importer; HVAC contractor; clinical trial organizations; and several franchisees, among others.
EDUCATION AND MEMBERSHIPS
Joe was a Morehead Scholar, Student Body President, North Carolina Fellow, and Phi Beta Kappa at UNC-Chapel Hill. At UNC Law School, he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review, was a member of the Order of the Coif and graduated with honors. He has served as Member, University of North Carolina Board of Governors; Chair, U.S. Small Business Administration N.C. Advisory Council; and Member, Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina. Joe is a member of the New York State Bar and North Carolina State Bar. He is also admitted to practice in a number of federal courts at both the trial and appellate levels.
- J.D., University of North Carolina School of Law, with honors, 1975
- B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1972
