Brief Biography

Private Practice of Law (1983 - present).

• Strategic legal counsel to business and economic development clients, with extensive experience in the areas of corporate practice, contracts, construction, energy, finance, health care, intellectual property, land use, legislation, litigation, public policy, technology, telecom and utilities.

• Representation of global and national clients considering business development or investment in West Virginia, in areas of transportation and infrastructure construction, homeland security, technology, financial services, manufacturing, and energy.

• General legal counsel to numerous small businesses, including R&D and venture firms, entrepreneurs and individual investors.

• Preparation and review of legislation and regulations, making presentations to, and working with, committee chairs, legislators, staff and executive branch officials; legislative and administrative lobbying on a wide range of issues.

• Experienced in administrative and regulatory compliance matters, alternative dispute resolution, legal “crisis management,” media relations, witness preparation, document production and management of confidential information.

• Consultant and practitioner in complex multi-district and class action litigation, including civil, criminal and regulatory matters before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, serving as local counsel and/or consultant to major law firms in New York, Washington DC, Dallas TX, Denver CO, and other cities.

Chairman, Cambridge Associates, Ltd. (1995 - present). Chairman and co-founder of a public, media and government relations small business firm in Charleston, serving corporate, institutional, civic and membership organizations. Representation of clients has included one of America’s largest utilities, the world’s largest information technology/software firm, a global telecommunications company, an association of infrastructure construction firms, a national direct marketing and retailing firm, statewide health care providers’ associations, an international association of astronauts and cosmonauts and the American Red Cross.

Member, Board of Directors, West Virginia Public Port Authority (2006 – present). Senate-confirmed gubernatorial appointee to this statewide multi-modal transportation and economic development agency, responsible for development and operation of rail, river, airport and highway transportation facilities. Serves on the Policy & Planning, Transportation and Finance committees and has represented the Authority at several international and regional conferences and venues.

General Counsel, Carbonxt, Inc. (2001 - present). Chief legal counsel and senior US corporate officer and a director of this clean coal technology Research & Development venture. Management of US legal affairs, including patent litigation, employment law, intellectual property licensing, leases and contracts. Responsible for coordination and facilitation of corporate relations with strategic partners as well as federal, state and local government.

Special Counsel to the Senate Minority Leader, West Virginia Senate (1993 - 1995). Special legal counsel through three legislative sessions. Responsibilities included legal analysis; drafting and review of bills; policy research and writing; assist in Minority Office operations; correspondence; implementing a caucus communications plan; liaison with House counterparts; point of contact for statewide and local media, trade associations, lobbyists, grass-roots organizations, national and state political organizations.

Attorney Advisor to the Director, Office of Urban Development Action Grants, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (1982 - 1983). Schedule A appointment. Received US Government training and certification as an economic development specialist. Served as legal counsel to the director of the $440 million per year UDAG grant program, and as a project review panelist for hundreds of economic development proposals. Worked closely with economic development officials, private sector developers, financial underwriters, federal agency counterparts, municipal officials and public finance agencies to target economic development assistance to distressed cities and rural areas.

Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development, US Department of Housing and Urban Development (1981). Presidential appointee (Schedule C) in the office responsible for community development programs, including block grants and enterprise zones, with a primary focus on urban development action grants for economic development projects in distressed cities and rural areas.

Legal Assistant (Intern), Martin Clearwater & Bell, New York City (1980 - 1981). Internship during senior year of law school in a leading defense litigation firm. Research, trial work and depositions in connection with medical malpractice claims.


Education

Syracuse University College of Law, Syracuse, NY, Juris Doctor, 1981. Also, New York Law School, visiting student, 1980-81.

Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, New Jersey 1979. Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, Business Administration (Management and Marketing). Delta Mu Delta National Honor Society in Business Administration; Associate Justice, Student Court; News Editor/Reporter, WFDU-FM.


Bar Admissions

New York (1982), District of Columbia (1986) and West Virginia (1991). Also: US Supreme Court (1987), US Claims Court (1990), US Tax Court (1990), US District Court (DC, 1986; SDWV, 1991), US Courts of Appeals (DC 1987; Federal and 4th Circuits 1998; Veteran’s Claims and Armed Forces, 2001), US Court of International Trade (2001).


Public Policy Experience and Former Affiliations

Trustee, West Virginia Laborer’s International Union Pension Fund (2002 - 2005).

Member, American Red Cross State Service Council (1999 - 2004), the American Red Cross board that coordinates chapter services, disaster assistance, blood services, governmental relations, etc., on a statewide basis. Volunteer government relations counsel.


Memberships

American Association for Justice (formerly ATLA), District of Columbia Bar, Leadership West Virginia (Class of 2003), National Rifle Association (life member), New York State Bar Association, West Virginia Bar.