Legal Elite 2023: Appellate Law Q&A

Title: Of counsel

Other legal specialties: General business litigation. I also have some experience with insurance defense (general negligence, car accidents, premises liability) and aviation law.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Gordon College; master’s in aviation management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; law degree, Regent University

Family: Wife, Deb, daughter Catherine and son-in-law, Nick Oliveira, with a grandson on the way! Plus, son Jacob and daughter Megan.

Career mentors: Steve Emmert has been a great mentor to me as I develop my appeals practice. Also, Mary Morgan, Judge Glen Huff, Judge David Lannetti and Judge Robert MacDonald.

Fan of: The U.S. Constitution and the truth

Bingeworthy TV show: When I watch TV, it’s usually to unwind and NOT think about work, so I like historical docudramas like “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific,” or sci-fi/fantasy stuff like “Star Trek: Picard” or the “Star Wars” spinoffs like “The Mandalorian” and “Ahsoka.”

What are some lessons from your Air Force career that you use in your legal practice? I learned attention to detail in environments where using the wrong codeword on the radio or getting one digit wrong in a set of coordinates led to mission failure. As a result, I have a keen sense about the importance of following court rules, monitoring deadlines and formatting papers correctly. I also do my best to apply my organizational leadership experience when I have the chance to work with and mentor younger professionals (either students or new lawyers). There is more to being a good lawyer, teammate and leader than just knowledge of the law.

Check out the rest of the 2023 Legal Elite.