Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&AResponsive Law
Maxwell White
Carroll County, MD Attorney with 8 years of experience
Free ConsultationEstate Planning and Probate
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Maxwell is an Estate Planning and Probate Attorney located in Central, Maryland who graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland, College Park with Dean's List honors. He attended the University of Maryland School of Law, where he served as an Associate Editor of the Maryland Law Review. He is currently an active member of the Maryland State Bar Association and WealthCounsel, the nation's premier organization for estate planning attorneys.
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Josue Ruiz Colon
Montgomery County, MD Attorney with 13 years of experience
Immigration
University of Puerto Rico
Josue is the founding partner of Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC and represents clients in immigration matters across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and Puerto Rico. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Puerto Rico School of Law, he has been admitted to the Puerto Rico Bar since 2012. As an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, he remains closely attuned to ongoing developments in immigration law.
Before establishing his practice, Josue directed management and human-resources operations for a high-volume retail organization, supervising teams of more than 100 employees. His background in recruitment, onboarding, contract drafting, conflict resolution,...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Ranga Sourirajan
Montgomery County, MD Attorney with 19 years of experience
Free ConsultationBusiness, IP and Immigration
Georgetown University Law Center
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Neveen H. Kurtom
Montgomery County, MD Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Divorce, Domestic Violence, Estate Planning and Family
University of Baltimore School of Law
Neveen Kurtom devotes all of her practice to family law matters. With nearly 20 years of experience, Ms. Kurtom has assisted hundreds of clients in their divorces, child custody and visitation matters, as well as child support and alimony cases. She has extensive experience in complex marital property matters, and she is also a trained mediator. She is dedicated to her clients and works tirelessly to achieve their desired outcome in their cases. Ms. Kurtom believes each client and each case deserves time, attention, and an understanding of the unique case. She will zealously represent her clients in court...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ASocial MediaResponsive Law
Diana Valle
Montgomery County, MD Attorney with 13 years of experience
Free ConsultationBankruptcy, Collections, Family and Foreclosure Defense
American University Washington College of Law and University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Diana Valle offers a comprehensive, individually tailored approach to legal representation. Every client is assessed not only to analyze the correct legal course and strategy but to offer general ancillary assistance on other issues. For example, a client with a bankruptcy problem may also need tax assistance, while a client who is in foreclosure may need a bankruptcy.
Ms. Valle's interest in the law stemmed from her sense of justice and fair play for all. The challenges of learning the law coupled with her passion for justice peaked Ms. Valle's interest in pursuing a legal career. Ms....
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
David Martella
Montgomery County, MD Attorney with 32 years of experience
Free ConsultationCriminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Domestic Violence and Juvenile
American University Washington College of Law
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Lynette A. Whitfield
Montgomery County, MD Lawyer with 20 years of experience
Employment and Family
The George Washington University Law School
Before starting her solo practice in Rockville, Maryland, Ms. Whitfield represented federal sector employees with a variety of labor and employment law issues. Since starting her practice in 2006, Ms. Whitfield has expanded her areas of practice to include Maryland unemployment and wage & hour cases, federal sector workers compensation, and domestic litigation.
...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A
Richard Sternberg
Montgomery County, MD Lawyer with 41 years of experience
Business, International, Probate and Real Estate
Center for International Legal Studies and Georgetown University
The Law Offices of Richard S. Sternberg is dedicated to the principle that bigger is not always better. Instead, it rests on a tradition that actually antedates the rise of the “mega-firm”-the solo practice. Emulating a country lawyer in a big-city environment allows Mr. Sternberg to provide more individualized service to his clients, and, at the same time, pursue more collegial relations with other members of the Bar. Since 1984, Mr. Sternberg has dedicated his practice to representing individuals and smaller businesses. For those corporate clients who have larger needs, he is affiliated with the Metropolitan Washington Law Consortium,...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Alexander K Anderson
Montgomery County, MD Lawyer with 12 years of experience
Free ConsultationAppeals, Divorce, Domestic Violence and Family
American University Washington College of Law
At the Law Firm of Alexander K. Anderson nothing is more important than delivering results for you. From the outset, the firm will do everything possible to make you feel comfortable and confident with the status of your case. We understand that communication is key. We begin by having a conversation about your goals and expected results and begin to build a strategic plan to obtain those goals. It’s a one-on-one, very personal approach. Our promise is not just about the personal attention that the firm will provide, but also the strategic plan to obtain your...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
David Bach
Montgomery County, MD Lawyer with 33 years of experience
Divorce, Education, Estate Planning and Family
Hamline University School of Law
I have 23 years experience representing parties in divorce, custody, child support, visitation, paternity, and guardianship matters. My goal is to plan for trial from the initial client meeting forward, while at the same time attempting to construct a reasonable settlement for my clients either directly with the other party or through mediation. I was certified as a Collaborative Practitioner March 2011. In addition to representing clients locally, Mr. Bach has extensive experience representing clients involved in international family disputes including divorce, child custody, division of property and family assets, as well as retirement benefits. He has successfully handled...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Sidney Schupak
Montgomery County, MD Attorney with 34 years of experience
Free ConsultationMedical Malpractice, Nursing Home and Personal Injury
American University Washington College of Law
Sidney Schupak is a tenacious and relentless litigator who has been fighting for the rights of injured victims for 29 years. Mr. Schupak cares passionately about making a difference in the lives of those he represents. He believes strongly in the rights of the individual, having spent his entire professional career representing the little guy against well funded, powerful and deep pocketed corporate defendants. As a skilled, knowledgeable and aggressive litigator, Mr. Schupak works tirelessly to level the playing field when representing his clients against big insurance companies and corporate defendants. Other attorneys often refer cases to Mr. Schupak because...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Behzad Gohari
Montgomery County, MD Attorney with 28 years of experience
(240) 600-0880
6010 Executive Blvd.
Suite 505
North Bethesda, MD 20852
Free ConsultationGeorgetown University Law Center and Widener University Delaware School of Law
Mr. Gohari has spent his career at the intersection of capital markets, law, and technology. Over two decades, and through a dozen startups, he has acted as founder, investor and strategic advisor, as well as utilizing his expertise in cross-border transactions, involving debt and equity financing. In addition to corporate development, equity investments and placements, as well as various securities offerings and financing transactions, he has served as a strategic advisor to startups from the software and biotechnology industries. He has successfully guided his clients and portfolio companies through two of the largest financial crises of the past century developing...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Daniel Joseph Miller
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Attorney
Free ConsultationMedical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Securities and Stockbroker Fraud
University of Baltimore School of Law
Principal of Miller Stern Lawyers, LLC - A "boutique" law firm, with a small firm atmosphere and large firm results. We handle all our cases with compassion, creativity, and aggressiveness when it's time to put on the gloves. We leave no stone unturned and strive forward as hard as we can to get the best possible result for our clients. We set the standard for thorough and zealous representation of our clients.
In our Personal Injury division we handle Auto, Motorcycle, Trucking, Boating, and Aviation accidents, to catastrophic Medical Malpractice, including Cerebral Palsy, Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Wrongful Birth and...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Afshin Pishevar
Montgomery County, MD Lawyer with 32 years of experience
Free ConsultationBankruptcy, Business, Civil Rights and Criminal Defense
Cleveland State University Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Ryan J. Foran
Prince George's County, MD Attorney with 27 years of experience
Free ConsultationMedical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Workers' Comp
Nova Southeastern University
Ryan J. Foran was born in Maryland. Other than his time spent attending college in Virginia and law school in Florida, he is a lifelong resident of Maryland.
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Kari H. Fawcett
Prince George's County, MD Lawyer with 36 years of experience
Divorce, Family and Personal Injury
University of Baltimore School of Law
Attorney Kari Fawcett brings more than 25 years of legal experience to individuals throughout Maryland who have suffered harm due to another party’s negligence. She understands that navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, and she places a strong emphasis on clear, direct communication so her clients can make well-informed decisions. Attorney Fawcett accepts a select number of cases, allowing her to give each matter the attention and dedication it deserves in pursuit of fair and meaningful results. In addition to her work in personal injury, she provides determined representation in family law matters, including high-stakes divorce proceedings involving complex...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial MediaResponsive Law
Mitterand Jean-Francois
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer
Free ConsultationImmigration
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Your Formidable Advocate!
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Bruce Plaxen
Baltimore County, MD Attorney with 42 years of experience
Free ConsultationMedical Malpractice, Nursing Home, Personal Injury and Social Security Disability
Award winning and well-respected personal injury attorney representing people who have been injured due to accidents and negligence throughout the state of Maryland.
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Patrick Shane Preller
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Attorney with 26 years of experience
(410) 539-0042
16 South Frederick Street
3rd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
Free ConsultationAnimal, Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI and Personal Injury
University of Baltimore School of Law
Patrick S. Preller is the managing partner of the firm with over twenty years of litigation experience in federal and state courts throughout the region. Mr. Preller is recognized as one of the most able trial lawyers in Maryland, and has enjoyed an extraordinary record of success. In 1998, Mr. Preller graduated with honors from the University of Baltimore School of Law where he served as an associate editor on Law Review. Following graduation, Mr. Preller clerked for the Honorable Maurice W. Baldwin on the Circuit Court of Maryland for Harford County. He then accepted an appointment as an...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Justin A. Batoff
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer
Business, Estate Planning and Real Estate
University of Baltimore School of Law
I am Justin Batoff, a principal at Batoff Associates, and I have recently joined Silverman Thompson as of counsel. In this role, I am dedicated to serving our clients and providing guidance to startups, emerging companies, and established private and family-owned businesses on a variety of transactional and corporate matters. My practice primarily focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private placements, equity compensation, real estate and commercial transactions, and estate planning.
Clients appreciate my role as outside general counsel, where I offer practical, business-focused legal solutions that are aligned with their strategic goals. I provide advice across multiple industries, including manufacturing, food...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Mark Edelson
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer with 15 years of experience
Free ConsultationUniversity of Maryland School of Law
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Steven N. Leitess
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer with 37 years of experience
Free ConsultationBankruptcy, Business and Products Liability
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Mr. Leitess’ practice has a national scope, serving clients located around the country in litigation and transactional matters arising in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. His practice focuses on the areas of substantive law that businesses rely upon daily.
The majority of Mr. Leitess’ daily professional activity relates to business litigation and arbitration, however a substantial amount of his time is dedicated to transactional matters and “outside general counsel” services for day-to-day operations of clients who do not have an in-house legal department.
Mr. Leitess has 25 years of experience as “first chair” attorney in numerous evidentiary and non-evidentiary hearings,...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Andrew Norman
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Attorney with 46 years of experience
Free ConsultationCivil Rights, Criminal Defense, Medical Malpractice and White Collar Crime
University of Baltimore School of Law
Andrew Norman is Of Counsel to the firm Silverman Thompson. Since joining Silverman Thompson, Mr. Norman has concentrated on the defense of clients in criminal matters. He represents clients in Federal Court and the various Courts of the State of Maryland. Mr. Norman has over thirty years of experience as a federal and state prosecutor.
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ABlawg SearchSocial Media
Laura G. Zois
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer with 29 years of experience
Free ConsultationMedical Malpractice, Nursing Home, Personal Injury and Products Liability
University of Tennessee College of Law
Mr. Zois is a founding partner of Miller & Zois and one of the most accomplished trial attorneys in Maryland. Her practice focuses on representing victims as lead attorney in catastrophic injury and death cases against negligent corporations and healthcare providers.
Before establishing her own firm, Ms. Zois was a defense attorney for major insurance companies including State Farm and Allstate.
Ms. Zois has tried over 300 tort cases and has a track record in high-stakes malpractice and personal injury claims. She has won numerous multi-million-dollar cases including a $10,000,000 verdict in a complex medical malpractice case and an $8,000,000 verdict...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Monica L. Scherer
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer with 27 years of experience
Free ConsultationAppeals, Divorce and Family
University of Baltimore School of Law
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION INCLUDE
• Maryland Divorce and Separation law
• Pre and Postnuptial Agreements
• Separation and Property Settlement Agreements
• Paternity
• Property Division, the Division of Marital Assets, Maintenance and Support
• Alimony – Pendente Lite, Rehabilitative and Indefinite
• Custody and Visitation
• Maryland and Interstate Child Support
• Military Divorces involving Maryland residents
• Ex Parte Protective Order Hearings (temporary and final)
• Interstate Custody Disputes
• Relocation Child Custody Cases
• Maryland Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act
• Appeals to the Court of Special Appeals and Court of Appeals
• Best Interest Attorney appointments in Baltimore County, Howard County and Talbot County
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Steven D. Silverman
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Attorney with 34 years of experience
Free ConsultationAppeals, Arbitration & Mediation, Business and Criminal Defense
University of Baltimore School of Law
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Kerri Smith
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Attorney with 13 years of experience
Free ConsultationAdministrative, Business, Collections and Real Estate
University of Baltimore School of Law
Kerri Smith concentrates her practice on commercial and residential real estate. She represents landlords, tenants, business owners, property management companies, commercial property owners and contractors in all aspects of development, construction, leasing and management. Her practice includes all types of commercial, residential, retail, office, industrial and mixed used developments. Ms. Smith also covers civil matters in Federal and State courts and has extensive experience in representing clients in a broad range of other matters including commercial leases, class actions, contract disputes and collection actions. She advocates in court on a daily basis.
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Alexander Williams Jr.
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer with 52 years of experience
Free ConsultationBusiness, Civil Rights, Criminal Defense and White Collar Crime
University of Baltimore School of Law
The Honorable Judge Williams (retired) focuses his practice on complex civil litigation and federal criminal cases. With extensive experience presiding over thousands of complex civil litigation and federal criminal cases Judge Williams is the only practicing retired Federal Judge in Maryland to advise clients on these matters.
The Honorable Judge Alexander Williams, retired from the United States District Court for the District of Maryland on January 3, 2014. He has written over 7 volumes of published opinions and has presided over 6,000 complex civil and 1,000 federal criminal cases.
Prior to his appointment to the federal bench by President Clinton...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Maximillian F. Van Orden,
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Attorney with 29 years of experience
Free ConsultationBankruptcy, Personal Injury, Social Security Disability and Workers' Comp
University of Maryland - Baltimore
Max Van Orden graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1992. He received his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1995, passed the Maryland Bar in December of that same year, and has been practicing law exclusively in the state of Maryland ever since. Mr. Van Orden regularly represents individual clients before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, the Social Security Administration, the Workers’ Compensation Commission, and the District and Circuit Courts of Maryland. Currently, Mr....
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial MediaResponsive Law
Josephia Elease Georgetta Rouse
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer with 11 years of experience
Divorce and Family
Charlotte School of Law
I’m a proud Black female family law attorney based in Maryland, and I’ve been practicing law since 2013. Today, I focus my practice on divorce and family law because I believe that’s where I can make the greatest impact. My clients are often going through one of the most painful transitions of their lives. Whether it’s a high-conflict divorce, a custody battle, or the restructuring of a family unit, I’m here to provide strategy, structure, and support.
I work best with clients who are ready to take control of their future. From our first conversation, I focus on understanding your goals...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Sheereen Middleton
Prince George's County, MD Lawyer with 12 years of experience
Free ConsultationBankruptcy and Business
Sheereen E. Middleton, Esq. is from Silver Spring, MD, and moved to Florida to attend the University of Miami in Coral Gables in 2002. While attending UM, Sheereen was a member of the cheerleading squad and cheered for the football team, volleyball team, and basketball team. After graduating from UM, she attended law school at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens. Sheereen is a licensed Attorney and Realtor® in both Maryland and Florida. Today, she practices Bankruptcy, Real Estate, and Estate Planning. When Sheereen is not in the office, she enjoys spending time at the beach, and being amongst friends...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
David Sanford
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer with 28 years of experience
Employment
Stanford University
David Sanford is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP, a national law firm with offices in the District of Columbia, New York, California, Tennessee, and Maryland. He received his J.D. from Stanford Law School, M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and B.A. from Vassar College. David has recovered more than one billion dollars for individual clients and the United States government since 2004.
David represents C-suite executives and non-managerial hourly employees throughout the US. He has served as lead counsel in more than 50 class actions and numerous qui tam cases around the country...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ABlawg SearchSocial Media
Jack D. Lebowitz
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer with 32 years of experience
Free ConsultationMedical Malpractice, Nursing Home, Personal Injury and Products Liability
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
I am an experienced personal injury attorney who serves clients throughout the state of Maryland. I have devoted my practice to cases involving car accidents, medical malpractice, birth injury, and wrongful death matters.
I have been included on the Super Lawyers list by Thomson Reuters, and I was selected as a member of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel by the Trial Lawyers Top 100.
I am an active member of the Maryland Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice, as well as The Maryland State Bar and District of Columbia Bar. I fight for my clients and help...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Leah Katherine Barron
Baltimore (Independent City) County, MD Lawyer with 16 years of experience
Free ConsultationNursing Home
Harvard Law School
Leah K. Barron, a founding partner of Brown & Barron, LLC, has dedicated her legal career to protecting plaintiffs who have been harmed by corporate malfeasance. Leah currently focuses her practice on representing families who have lost a loved one due to abuse or neglect at a nursing home. She prides herself on having developed a thriving nursing home abuse practice at Brown & Barron, and she is focused on providing all the firm’s clients with top-notch legal representation, combined with an exceptional client experience.
Prior to co-founding Brown & Barron, Leah maintained a national practice and served as Team Leader...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Charles T. Dillon
Baltimore County, MD Lawyer with 24 years of experience
Business, International and Tax
Georgetown University Law Center and University of Baltimore
Charles Dillon is an internationally recognized Maryland tax attorney with an LL.M. degree in tax law from Georgetown University Law Center. He provides tax resolution services to individuals and businesses regarding their IRS tax problems, international tax law planning, IRS criminal investigations, and compliance with State of Maryland taxes.
For nearly 20 years, clients from all over the world have hired Charles Dillon to help them as their tax attorney because of his reputation for excellence and achieving outstanding results with IRS tax problems.
Charles Dillon is a Maryland tax attorney who has been recognized by world...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ASocial Media
Brian Xavier Pendergraft
Prince George's County, MD Attorney with 11 years of experience
Business, Landlord Tenant and Real Estate
Florida Coastal School of Law
The Pendergraft Firm helps real estate investors and businesses with ABCDEF: Agreements, Business entity formation, Closings, Deeds, Evictions, and Foreclosure. For all of your real estate legal needs, it's as simple as ABC, work with me.
Claimed Lawyer ProfileResponsive Law
Daniel J. Guenther
Saint Mary's County, MD Attorney with 43 years of experience
Free ConsultationBankruptcy, Business, Family and Military
Potomac School of Law, Washington, D.C.
As a practicing Bankruptcy Attorney in Maryland for 34 years, Daniel Guenther has helped hundreds of clients in obtaining debt relief and a fresh start through bankruptcy. He has assisted clients in becoming debt free through Chapter 7 or chapter 13, and has helped homeowners avoid foreclosure and save their home through Chapter 13 as well. He has also successfully represented clients and stopped wage garnishments and attachments of assets through protection under the Federal Bankruptcy Laws. To better serve his clients, he has three offices in Southern Maryland, one in Leonardtown (St. Mary's County), one in Waldorf...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Linda Thatcher
Prince George's County, MD Attorney with 38 years of experience
Arbitration & Mediation, Business, Civil Rights and Employment
St. Mary's University School of Law
An accomplished employment litigator and mediator, Linda has been consistently named one of "Washington's Top Employment Lawyers" by Washingtonian Magazine since 2007.
Linda has earned accolades from judges, peers, and clients. A grateful client said of her: “Linda’s legal acumen, years of experience, and deep understanding of human nature combine to make her an effective advocate. She is equal parts grit and compassion, a great listener who cuts to the heart of the matter, and she was ALWAYS available to me.” Another client wrote that “Linda is—quite literally—the best in the business. If you’re looking for the very best...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileSocial Media
Ari Nathaniel Laric
Baltimore County, MD Lawyer with 19 years of experience
Free ConsultationPersonal Injury and Workers' Comp
University of Baltimore School of Law
Ari represents injured workers throughout Maryland at the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission, and in the Circuit and Appellate Courts in Maryland. Ari joined Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP, in 2011, and is the firm’s Managing Partner.
Ari focuses his practice on representing union workers and their friends and families. His clients include Fire Fighters, Communication Workers,
Police Officers, Teamsters, Municipal Workers, Teachers and Education Support Staff to name a few. He speaks at union events throughout the state educating union members about protecting their rights.
Ari has served on the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Medical Fee Guide Revision Committee, and has had opportunity...
Claimed Lawyer ProfileBlawg SearchSocial Media
Donald L. Bell
Anne Arundel County, MD Lawyer
Towne Center, 1906 Towne Centre Blvd #250
Annapolis, MD 21401
Bankruptcy
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Donald L. Bell was born on September 29, 1975, in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended Carver Senior High School in Montgomery, graduating with honors. Motivated by a strong sense of duty, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in August 1993. During his six years of active duty, he embraced the Corps’ foundational principles of Honor, Courage, and Commitment — values that continue to shape his legal practice today.
While serving, Mr. Bell pursued higher education and earned an Associate of Arts degree with honors from Campbell University in North Carolina in 1996. He went on to complete his bachelor's degree...