Areas of Experience

Personal injury, medical malpractice, premises liability, products liability, business dissolution, civil rights, condemnation, construction, consumer, contracts, defamation, disability, employment, financial, insurance coverage, labor union, local government, professional liability, trusts & estates, and family law including child/spousal support, custody/visitation, and equitable distribution.

Professional Experience

• Judge, 24^th Judicial Circuit of Virginia, 2015-2023; Chief Judge, 2020-2022.
• Judge, 24^th Judicial Circuit of Virginia, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, 2005-2015; Chief Judge 2010-2012.
• Former Substitute Judge, 24^th Judicial District of Virginia, General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
• Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Amherst County, 2002-2005.
• Private practice specializing in personal injury and wrongful death matters, Amherst, Virginia, 1984-2002.
• Former Town Attorney, Amherst, Virginia.
• Former School Board Attorney, Amherst County, Virginia.

Affiliations

• Former Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court Mentor Judge, appointed by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
• Past President, Lynchburg Bar Association.
• Facilitator Judge, Judicial Performance Evaluation Program, appointed by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
• Former Member, Circuit Court Forms Committee, appointed by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
• Former Member, Judicial Liaison Committee to the Department of Juvenile Justice, appointed by the Supreme Court of Virginia.
• Former Faculty Member, Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course, Virginia State Bar.
• Former Chairman, Grievance Panel to hear Appeal from Virginia Department of Transportation; Grievance Panel to hear Appeal from Central Virginia Community Services Board.
• Former Chairman, Amherst County Youth Services Commission.
• Former President, Clifford Ruritan Club.
• Former Member, Curriculum Advisory Committee, Central Virginia Community College.

Education

• College of William & Mary, J.D.
• College of William & Mary, B.A.