I received my undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Tennessee in 1975.  I went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1978.  I served for several years as managing attorney for Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, a legal aid office in Kentucky, and as managing attorney for Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, a legal aid office in Charlotte, North Carolina.  I entered private practice in 1995.

While practicing law in Kentucky and North Carolina, I represented clients in class action lawsuits, as well as individual matters.  I have appeared before judges and magistrates in many different forums, including administrative proceedings, military tribunals, state court actions, and federal court matters, all on both an original and appellate basis. 

I am honored to announce that I have been certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a specialist in Social Security Disability Law. In order to be certified as a specialist, I was required to demonstrate that I devote a significant part of my practice to Social Security disability law and that I attend numerous hours of continuing legal education in this area. In addition, I had to obtain favorable recommendations from other lawyers and judges in a process called peer review. Finally, I had to pass a rigorous written examination in Social Security disability law and related fields. I am one of only three Board Certified Specialists in Social Security Disability Law in Charlotte and one of approximately 38 in the entire state of North Carolina.