Statement
My 582 mile walk across North Carolina was a remarkable experience. I was awed by the beauty of our state, and deeply enriched by the good people I met along the way.
Our citizens deserve a government as good as they are. They deserve a court system that is as fair and impartial, and that provides justice tempered by mercy.
I have a conservative judicial philosophy. I will not legislate from the bench. You can trust that I will be fair and impartial. And I will work to bring needed reforms to the court system.
My legal qualifications will allow me to contribute immediately to the fair interpretation and application of the law. In addition to extensive trial and appellate experience, I have authored North Carolina Employment Law, the only comprehensive guide to employment law issues in the state; chaired the Labor Employment Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association; and have received an “AV” rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest legal rating given.
But legal qualifications are not enough; judges need to understand how their decisions impact people’s lives. Life experiences, and what you learn from those experiences, allow you to go beyond reading the law to understanding how the law impacts those who appear before you.
My life experiences give me the needed perspective to understand the issues that affect our citizens. I am no stranger to struggles and hard work. I have served as a public servant in my capacity as a county commissioner and hospital trustee. I will not be isolated from the citizens whose cases I hear.
If elected, I will give those who appear before the Court of Appeals the respect and fairness they deserve.