I have lived in North Carolina for 25 years. I moved to Pfafftown, NC when I was 11 years old. Prior to that, my family lived in a number of states in the northeast due to my father's profession as a restaurant manager. Moving to the South was one of the best things that ever happen to me.
No one in my immediate family attended college. As a result, I spent several years in the workforce before I got serious about higher education. I worked in the granite and marble industry fabricating and installing natural stone counter tops for six years. During that time, I knew I wanted to attend college and ultimately become an attorney but, coming from a blue collar family, it felt like a pipe dream that would never be realized.
I began taking college courses at night after a full day working in the granite shop at Asheville-Buncombe Technical College. I earned two years worth of credits towards my bachelor's degree this way before becoming a full-time student. Yet even after becoming a full-time student I always had a job. I worked in the restaurant industry for a time while in school and also operated a small house painting company. The only year I didn't work while in school was my first year of law school as this was prohibited. That summer I interned at a law firm and worked as a waiter. During my second and third years in law school I interned for a law firm in Greensboro and continued to wait tables. Upon graduation, I was fortunate enough to land a job at an Elder Law firm. After learning the ropes, I decided it was time to build a firm of my own and add Family Law to my skill set.
During my early twenties while working and attending school in Asheville, NC I began to train in the martial arts. I studied Tang Soo Do (karate) with a 5th degree Master named Chuck Blackburn. I trained under him for for three years; ultimately earning my first black belt rank and learning a lot about myself in the process. I then moved away from Asheville and transferred to UNC-Greensboro and began training in Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi Chuan with the Cloud Forest Chin Woo Association under the tutelage of 10th degree Grandmaster David Kash. I recieved my 3rd degree black belt in Shaolin Kung Fu in 2011 and I hold ranks in Tai Chi Chuan as well. People often ask I I have ever had to "use my training". The answer is yes. I use my training everyday for the betterment of myself, my family and my clients interests.
My years in the martial arts helped me become a more focused, conscious and confident person. Martial artists are keenly aware of their strengths and their weaknesses and strive to improve everyday. I apply this same mentality to my law practice and my family life.
I am happily married and the proud father of one young, red-haired son named Eli. When I'm not practicing law and advocating for my clients I enjoy camping, hiking, watching movies on the big screen and traveling to warm sunny places.
Activities & Affiliations
• Shaolin Kung Fu, 3rd degree black belt
• Tang Soo Do Karate, 1st Degree black belt
• Tai Chi practitioner
