Making it in business is hard.  I can help.

Today's data-driven, always "on-line" world means that businesses cannot rely on what worked last year or even last week.  You've got to be flexible and ready to pivot at a moment's notice.

Change isn't the only threat.  Competitors (big and small), ever-changing and maddening governmental regulations, and, sometimes, even your own employees working against you present constant challenges.  Legal threats exists in every aspect of business operations, and you have to recognize those red flags before it's too late.

Despite these challenges, you are making it work.  You've taken the risks and built a successful business.  You can coast, right?  Wrong!

In this ever-changing business environment, you need common-sense, practical legal advice every day.  You need someone to bounce ideas off, someone to tell you when you are really onto something, and someone to warn you that you are about to run full speed over a cliff.  That's where I can help.

I've been a business lawyer for over 30 years.

Traditional law firms (big and small) tend to give clients business "advice" as indecipherable as their bills.  If you've had that experience and the sticker shock at their legal bills, then maybe you've become afraid to call your lawyer.  I work hard to become a trusted advisor to each of my clients without any of that nonsense.

In addition to counseling my business and education clients, I've tried almost every kind of civil matter there is.  I can tell you what I think will happen if we go to trial -- not through guessing, but based on 30+ years of being in the courtroom.  Most importantly, I will help you avoid litigation by catching and solving small problems before they become big, expensive ones.   I do this every day for clients.

When litigation is inevitable -- and despite your best efforts, it will sometimes happen -- I will be there to represent you in court.  My time in the trenches over the years gives me the experience and knowledge to enforce and protect your rights strategically and cost effectively.

Education is my passion.

Since 1983, I've worked with public and private schools -- from K-12 to colleges.  Both of our kids went to public school, and my wife and I have been devoted volunteers.  In 1970 when I was 12, I worked as a junior counselor at a YMCA day camp with a group of developmentally disabled campers.  Sixteen years later -- in 1986, we discovered that our daughter Nikki was developmentally delayed and had a seizure disorder.  Nikki spent her entire educational career in a public separate school setting in Charlotte and had a wonderful experience.  Through Nikki, I've learned that every student with disabilities is unique, that there is no one, immutable answer to special education issues, and educators best serve their students and themselves when they are well prepared.  As a result of my expertise in special education, I've been invited to present at national conferences and before state associations all across the country.  

My work in education law is not limited to special education.  I've served as general counsel for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, sat with numerous other North Carolina boards of education in teacher and student disciplinary hearings, and helped resolve legal challenges in all aspects of school operations from personnel to construction.  

For my higher education clients, I've worked with personnel issues, student discipline problems (including Title IX sexual misconduct hearings), policy issues, construction problems, and a wide variety of operational matters that pop up.

You deserve great service from your lawyer.

Like you, I have daily experiences with poor service.  It drives me crazy.  Because I love what I do, I work extra hard to give clients the great service they deserve.  I make it my mission to take the stress of legal problems off my clients by understanding their businesses and goals, by recognizing the legal roadblocks to those goals, and by working with my clients to execute strategically sound legal plans.

Even after 30+ years, I love my job.  I get great personal satisfaction from serving as a trusted advisor to my clients, helping them grow, protecting them from legal landmines and other peril, and playing a role in their ultimate success.

My clients range from multi-million dollar enterprises to individuals who have never dealt with lawyers before.  I'm always looking for a few more quality people to work with.  If that's you, give me a call or shoot me an e-mail.