Experienced Divorce, DUI, and Criminal Defense Attorney

While I've been primarily focused on the practice of divorce and family law for the past decade, my experience as a criminal prosecutor has continued to serve my clients well. I previously served as the General Counsel for the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, the City Solicitor for the City of Lancaster, and as a Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Sixth Circuit Solicitor's Office. I gained extensive trial experience in the prosecution of all levels of adult and juvenile crimes.

I also authored and received several Federal Justice Assistance Grants, including grants funding a violent crime prosecution team and the establishment and equipping of a Crime Scene Investigations Unit. In the crucible of criminal court, I honed the courtroom skills and aggressive approach I'm known for today.

While I was a prosecutor, I went through my own divorce. It was a complex custody case involving many challenging issues. My children were 8 months, 2 years and 5 years old at the time. Because family law was not my focus at the time, I hired attorneys to represent me in family court. Ultimately, I was awarded custody of my children. It was through this ordeal I developed my interest in family law. My personal case provided me with invaluable experience. It not only helped me hone my knowledge of family law, but it gave me insight from the perspective of a client. I have used this knowledge to provide Fort Mill and Rock Hill, SC families with the best legal representation possible.

My background, along with my experience in litigation and supportive understanding, allows me to develop creative solutions to meet your specific legal needs and goals. Every client's situation is unique and requires a tailored plan of attack whether that requires taking your case to court, or resolving it through negotiation or mediation – I am equally prepared to handle your needs.

A certified mediator on your side

Conflict doesn't always equate to a lengthy, expensive courtroom battle to resolve your differences. In fact, in South Carolina, parties are required to participate in mediation to see if they can work things out before resorting to the stress of a trial and final decision of a judge.

After having completed training in collaborative divorce and becoming certified by the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, I have been serving as a certified Family Court Mediator since 2018. In mediation, you and your spouse meet with a Certified Mediator (with or without lawyers) who helps you sort through the issues that are stalling your ability to settle your case.

Often times, both sides just want to feel heard by the opposing party but have had trouble communicating through hurt feelings and the emotional fallout that comes with litigation. Mediation is often the best way for people to have input and control over the outcome of their case.

A little bit about life outside the office

I was raised in Yorktown, VA, an area steeped in Revolutionary and Confederate history, much like South Carolina. It is there that I developed my love for history, especially early American history. I moved to South Carolina in 1995 and have made South Carolina my home.

I am a single father with two sons and a daughter in college. When not working or spending time with family, I enjoy watching sports, woodworking, and home improvement – and I really do have plans to start playing golf again one day. In addition to my legal practice, I have been an adjunct professor for the University of South Carolina Lancaster since 2011. I teach a variety of criminal law and business law classes.

Facing legal troubles? I'm here to help

My passion for helping people is what drives me, whether it's a couple choosing to divorce or an individual who has made a mistake that led to a DUI. On behalf of me and my professional staff, I look forward to serving your family law, criminal law, and estate planning needs in the communities across York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties. To schedule a consultation with me in either my Fort Mill office on Gold Hill Road, or in my Rock Hill office on Oakland Avenue, please call 803-590-6649, or reach out to me through my contact page.

Practice Areas

• Family Law
• Divorce
• Mediation
• Criminal Defense
• DUI Defense
• Estate Planning

Admissions

• South Carolina
• Virginia

Associations and Memberships

• York County Bar

Education

• J.D., University of Arkansas School of Law, Fayetteville
• BS, Business Administration, Christopher Newport University, Newport News

Honors and Awards

• Top 10, National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, 2018

Relevant Prior Work Experience

• General Counsel, American Pensions, LLC
• Prosecutor, Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office (York and Union Counties)
• Prosecutor, Sixth Circuit Solicitor's Office (Lancaster, Chester, and Fairfield Counties)
• General Counsel, Lancaster County Sheriff's Office
• City Solicitor, City Of Lancaster, South Carolina
• Special Assistant United States Attorney, United States Attorney's Office, Columbia

Representing the citizens of Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and Lancaster, York, and Chester Counties during their toughest times

When people's lives get turned upside down over, they need an attorney who will help steer them right. For more than 20 years, I have forged a reputation in Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and the surrounding towns and counties for being a highly trusted attorney who has built my practice around helping individuals and families through their legal difficulties. Call me today to get started.