Practice Areas
- Appeals
- Bank Litigation
- Business and Civil Litigation
- Class Actions
- Commercial and Securities Arbitration
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction
- Contract Dispute
- Homeowners’ Associations
- Trials in all Courts
- Trust and Estate Litigation
Biographical Information
Significant Accomplishments
- Co-counsel in class action challenging practice of litigation funding–whereby lenders advance funds to litigants and often extract 100% or more annual interest from litigation proceeds. The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled that practice violates North Carolina’s usury laws and constitutes Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practice (Odell v. Legal Bucks, LLC, 192 N.C. App. 298, 665 S.E.2d 767 (2008), disc. rev. denied, 363 N.C. 258, 676 S.E.2d 905 (2009)).
- Wrote appellate briefs in action that overturned 50-year-old federal common law doctrine in United States Court of Appeals for District of Columbia Circuit. Settled one week before oral argument in United States Supreme Court (Murphy v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,61 F.3d 34 (D.C. Cir. 1995), 208 F.3d 959 (11th Cir. 2000),cert. dismissed, 531 U.S. 1107 (2001)).
- Co-counsel in class action representing approximately 500 limited partners in cable television enterprise. Plaintiffs alleged they were squeezed out and paid less than market value for their shares. Settled after two weeks of trial for $5.2 million (McLaney v. First Carolina Communications, Inc.,No. 96-CVS-194 (Superior Court of Watauga County, North Carolina)).
- Forced entity that had allegedly sold worthless investments into involuntary bankruptcy. Then, as special counsel to bankruptcy trustee, helped obtain six-figure recovery for bankruptcy estate (In re: Fifth Degree Concerts, Inc.,02-32674 (Bankr. W.D.N.C.)).
- Co-counsel in class action representing over 1,400 persons who were allegedly required to purchase certain prescription drugs at inflated prices. Settled; class members received reimbursement of approximately 100% of alleged overpayments (Prescription Drug Litigation [Parties’ Names Withheld](Guilford County, North Carolina)).
- In multiple federal court actions and FINRA arbitrations, represented seven investors in now-defunct internet company. Principals of the company allegedly made misrepresentations in soliciting the investments and then squandered corporate funds for their personal use. Obtained total recovery of over $500,000 (Securities Fraud Litigation [Parties’ Names Withheld]).
- Note: We do not represent that similar results will be achieved in your case. Each case is different and must be evaluated separately.
Professional Associations
- North Carolina Bar Association
- Greensboro Bar Association
Education
- College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
B.S., Mathematics, 1987 - George Mason University School of Law, Arlington, VA
J.D., 1993