Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I was born in Charlotte, and I grew up in Mint Hill and South Charlotte. I graduated from Charlotte Latin School, received my undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Notre Dame, and received my law degree from Villanova University. After working in federal and local prosecutors' offices in Philadelphia, I returned home to Charlotte where I prosecuted criminal cases as an Assistant District Attorney in the Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office from 2004-10.

As an A.D.A. in Mecklenburg County, I prosecuted nearly every type of criminal case on behalf of my fellow citizens, including armed robbery, attempted murder, drug trafficking, domestic violence, and DWI cases. I prosecuted thousands of criminal defendants for the State, including hundreds of trials in District Court and over 40 trials before Superior Court juries. I currently reside in the Elizabeth neighborhood of Charlotte, attend St. Gabriel Catholic Church, and spend much of my free time refereeing professional, collegiate, and youth soccer matches.

As a criminal prosecutor at the District Attorney's Office, I dedicated my career to holding violators of the law accountable for their actions.

On a daily basis, I analyzed criminal cases and witnesses critically, evaluating the evidentiary strength of the State's case along with each witness for and against the State. With an eye towards compassion and an understanding for isolated mistakes in judgment, I demanded that criminals be punished appropriately for their crimes. I appreciated that my role as a prosecutor was, above all else, to pursue justice and protect my fellow citizens.

A judge's role is to ensure that justice happens, by deciding cases and controversies simply and exclusively in accordance with the law.

I believe in a strict, close reading of the Constitution and State law as written. I believe our citizens and our judges are beholden to those words. Judges do not make law, they apply it. I believe our system of government requires our judges to, in the words of Chief Justice John Roberts, "call balls and strikes," thereby leaving our legislators to enact the laws that govern American society.

Mecklenburg County is and always will be my home. From growing up here and prosecuting thousands of criminal defendants, I understand our community, its neighborhoods, and the culture of this county and its citizens. I have seen the need for hard-working judges in Mecklenburg County to bring energy and extensive trial experience to our courtrooms. I believe the citizens of Mecklenburg County will appreciate my commitment to the rule of law and justice, and see that it is my experience, background, and perspective that this county needs most in District Court.