Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

In 1978 I graduated number 1 in my class from NCCU Law School where I also served as Executive Editor of the Law Review.

My entire 32 year legal career has been spent as a trial attorney, initially with the Hutson Hughes and Powell firm and since 2006 with Hoof Hughes Law. In my practice I have handled both civil and criminal cases, and have tried numerous Superior Court jury cases. For the past 20 years I have concentrated on complex civil commercial litigation, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. I hold the highest rating - "AV" - awarded by Martindale-Hubble, the legal profession's most prestigious peer review rating publication.

In addition to my legal experience however, I believe that I have the patience, temperament and professionalism needed for the position of Superior Court Judge. In particular it is important that Judges show courtesy and respect towards all persons who appear before them.

After receiving my undergraduate degree from East Carolina University in 1972, I volunteered to serve in Alabama as a volunteer with VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America). My service with VISTA included, among other things, working as a community organizer assisting tenants living in exclusively low-income African American public housing projects to assert their legal rights. My efforts on their behalf faced persistent resistance, and indeed hostility from the local political and legal establishments.

My year and a half in VISTA was a tremendous learning experience that afforded me a great deal of personal growth. It also provided me with an open and empathetic view towards all people.

I am running for one of Durham County's three Superior Court Judgeships because I believe that I am well qualified to serve in such a position by virtue of my experience, legal ability and personal temperament. That experience includes both my life experience and my 32 years of experience as a practicing trial attorney in the courts of North Carolina. I also believe and quite frankly have been told by other members of the Bar, whose opinions and advice I respect, that I have the personal temperament to serve our judicial system well as a Superior Court Judge. I feel that my combination of legal skill, experience and ability would make me a good judge.

Many attorneys urged me to seek this position not only because of my qualifications; but because of the extensive experience I have had in civil practice, including litigating extremely complex civil cases at both the trial and appellate levels of North Carolina's Courts. Whereas our trial Bar tends to breakdown between those who practice in criminal court; and those who practice in civil court; our Superior Court Judges are required to preside over cases in both criminal and civil court. It has further been expressed to me that most current Superior Court Judges have come from the criminal bar and consequently, have little or no trial experience in civil court. Civil litigation is often extremely complex and very different from criminal trials.

Therefore, I believe my extensive experience in the trials of extremely complex civil cases would allow me to make a significant contribution to our State's Superior Court Bench.