As an only child, I was raised by a strong and determined single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for our family. Watching her navigate life with resilience and grit shaped my values and taught me the importance of compassion, hard work, and standing up for what’s right—something she doubtlessly learned from her parents, her mother being a stay-at-home mother to four daughters, and her father the owner of a small hometown business he started after returning from World War II. My mother’s example instilled in me a deep commitment to fairness and justice—principles that continue to guide me every day in my legal career and beyond.

Originally from the foothills of North Carolina (the Yadkin Valley, now widely known for beautiful wineries), I moved to Charlotte in 2004 to attend the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. That’s when I fell in love with this area, and I’ve been here ever since.

Today, I’m excited to be building a life in Huntersville with my fiancée, Amanda, an insurance director, and our black lab, Jolie, a connoisseur of treats. Amanda brings joy, balance, and steady support to this journey, and Jolie keeps us both on our toes. Our little family reminds me daily of what I’m fighting for: a community where every person and every family has the opportunity to thrive.

I am proud of my diverse background in public service. I began my professional career as a Deputy Clerk of Superior Court in Mecklenburg County, where I gained hands-on experience in courtroom operations and judicial administration. I then enrolled in law school, during which I served as a student law clerk for two federal judges—one at the Federal District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, and one at the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals—which allowed me to deepen my understanding of federal law and judicial decision making.

After graduating from law school, I became a federal criminal defense attorney with the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Charlotte. There, I represented individuals facing serious federal criminal charges. I stood up for the rights of those accused, often defending those who society had overlooked or written off. I also represented people who had already been convicted and sentenced but were eligible for a reduction in their sentence because of changes in the law. That work instilled in me a deep respect for constitutional protections and a clear understanding that every person—no matter their background—deserves a fair day in court.

Today, I serve as a senior Assistant District Attorney with the Rowan County District Attorney’s Office. I previously served as a senior Assistant District Attorney with the Cabarrus County District Attorney’s Office. In my role as a prosecutor, I handle every level of felony criminal charge—including drug trafficking, sexual assaults, and homicides. Notably, I prosecuted the first Death by Distribution trial ever in the State of North Carolina, where I convinced a jury to send a drug dealer to prison for selling lethal drugs that killed a 27-year-old mother. I hold people accountable under the law while exercising fairness and discretion. I work closely with victims, law enforcement, and members of the community to ensure justice is not only done—but done right. I believe prosecutors must be ministers of justice, not just seekers of convictions.

My dual experience as a litigator—defending the accused and prosecuting crime—has shaped me into a thoughtful, even-handed legal mind with a strong moral compass. I understand what’s at stake in every case and I treat each person with dignity and impartiality.

My experience extends beyond the courtroom, though. As a former adjunct instructor at Central Piedmont Community College, I taught undergraduate students studying criminal justice, criminal law, constitutional law, and corrections. I’ve also been a guest instructor for North Carolina’s Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET), and served as a guest lecturer multiple times for the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

In the community, I enjoy singing with the Charlotte Master Chorale (the resident chorus for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra). I am also a past member of our homeowners’ association board of directors and past-president of the Cabarrus County Bar Association.

As a candidate for Superior Court Judge, I bring unmatched credibility to the bench. I know the law, respect the people with whom I interact, and have proven time and again that I can be trusted to do what is right—even when it’s not easy.