Certified mediator and arbitrator

As a licensed attorney since 1994, I have had the opportunity to be exposed to a wide array of practice areas, as detailed in my resume.  Since 2007, I have served as a Wake County District Court Judge and I have widened the depth of my legal experience by serving in every civil and criminal district courtroom.  For 15 years, my colleagues and the residents of Wake County have reaffirmed their confidence in me as a jurist; I have been unopposed in every election.  While my commitment to executing my judicial duties runs far and deep, it is no secret that I consider my niche to be in presiding over family and juvenile court cases; I am a Juvenile Certified District Court Judge and have presided over Family court and Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency court for more than ten years.  Despite what I consider to be my specialties, my commitment to administering justice in every courtroom and in any capacity is unwavering.  

In addition to my judicial service, I am also a community servant.  I have been fortunate enough to volunteer in many capacities, including as a member of the Juvenile Crime Prevention Committee, the Chief Justice’s Commission on Fairness and Equity, and a volunteer at Hope Charter Elementary School, to name a few.  Service to my community has always been of the utmost importance and I will continue to lend my time to efforts that seek to improve people’s lives.

Biographical

Appointed Wake County District Court Judge by the NC Governor in 2007.  Elected for 3 terms, Presided over Traffic Court, Criminal Misdemeanors, Civil, Domestic, Child Support, and Juvenile Delinquency Courts.

Assistant County Attorney from 1999 to 2007, Juvenile Court Representation for abused and neglected children, Advise clients on various legal strategies, District and Superior Court representation.

GAL Attorney  Advocate from 1997 to 1999 for the Guardian for Abuse Neglect and Dependency Court, Juvenile Delinquency Court Representation,  Parent Coordinator for high conflict Domestic Cases, Court Approved Arbitrator for Wake County District Court.

Meredith College faculty member of the paralegal program from 1997 to 2000. Prepared legal research assignments, Taught legal research and writing, Assisted in curriculum development.

Associate Attorney at Wood & Francis from 1995 to 1997 doing District and Superior Court Litigation. Drafted legal documents for Civil Litigation, Corporate and Personal Injury Legal Matters, Advised and interviewed clients.

Clerk for Chief Justice Henry E. Frye from 1994 to 1995. Assisted in daily court activities, Researched legal topics, Assisted Justices by writing bench briefs and reviewing opinions.

Legal Summer Intern at Patterson, Harkavy, and Lawrence, 1992.  Freeman & Hawkins, 1993.

International Buyer 1984-1989 Westinghouse Elevator Corp, Manager 1989-1991 at  Schindler Elevator Corp, Start Up Team, Clinton, NC.

Education

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, JD-1994; 
Georgia Institute of Technology, BS Industrial Engineering-1984