BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATE

My wife and I have been Seabrook residents since 2020, we divide our time between our villa home at Ocean Winds and our home in Knoxville, Tennessee. We chose Seabrook because it is a beautiful residential community that preserves the natural beauty of the Low Country. I have served on the SIPOA legal committee and the Ocean Winds board for five years.

I am a retired attorney, having practiced in Louisiana until 1976, and in Tennessee until January, 2022. I obtained an economics degree at Notre Dame, and my law degree at L.S.U.

I spent my entire career as a litigator. Initially, I served an impoverished clientele in Louisiana. During that time and for the rest of my career, I learned the importance of being empathetic, a good listener and communicator, and a gatherer of facts. As a Tennessee trial attorney for 44 years, I represented a variety of clients, including blue collar workers, medical and other professionals, small business owners and corporations. I learned what it means to be a nurse, medical doctor, patient, truck driver, industrial worker, police officer, and trauma survivor. I also needed to be a good communicator to jurors, interpreting and clearly sharing complex medical, engineering and scientific concepts with them, so they could carry out their important task. My practice required patience, understanding, analysis, empathy, advocacy, and hard work.

I was managing partner of my law firm—founded in 1922. I was engaged in all aspects of owning and running a small business, and I was a mentor, confidant, and collaborator with our attorneys and staff. For six years I was a Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility Hearing Officer, which demanded that I listen well, seek all relevant facts, and make fair and wise judgments about the conduct of attorneys .

My experience includes service on the Knoxville Bar Association Board of Governors; and as an instructor at legal education and medical risk management meetings. I was a Legal Aid Society supporter, Knoxville Bar Foundation Fellow, and American Inns of Court member.

I am happily married, Dad to my accomplished daughters, and Pops to the grandkids. I coached youth soccer coach for ten years. I have been a fund raiser and volunteer for charitable causes. I am in good health and maintain an active lifestyle.

I believe my experiences as a lawyer and business owner; my communication, collaborative and analytical skills; and my representation of clients who needed my understanding, empathy and leadership during trying times will serve me well as a board member.