I was born and raised and have lived most of my life in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. I also chose to raise my family here. I studied history and religion at Duke (BA 1975), history and education at Vanderbilt (MAT 1979), law at Tulane (JD 1985), and management information systems at UNCG (2009). I practiced law in New Orleans and Boulder before moving my practice to Asheville in 1993. I continue to learn something new every day.