Attorney Background
- Education
I received my J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law. I also have a dual B.A. in Economics & Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well.
- Memberships
I am a member of the Oregon State Bar, The District of Columbia Bar, the NACDL (The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers), the OCDLA (Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association), as well as a Lifetime Member of The NORML Legal Committee (The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and Oregon NORML.
- Awards, Presentations, Papers, & Publications
- Faculty Speaker at Medical Marijuana in Oregon by CLE International July 2010 in Portland, OR.
- Speaker at Hempstalk in Portland, OR in September 2010
- Speaker at Hempfest in Seattle, WA in August 2010
- Panel Speaker representing Oregon- Medical Marijuana in California and Beyond at the 2009 National NORML Conference in San Francisco, CA.
- Panel Session- Medical Marijuana and Oregon Law at Hempstalk 2009 in Portland, OR.
- Continuing Legal Education Presentation- OMMP Cardholders Concealed Weapons Permits Issues and Preparing Your Client for Sentencing, i.e., can a Client Ever Medicate on Probation at OMCA 2008 at Portland, OR.
- Panel Session- Controlled Substance DUII and Protecting your Legal Rights at Hempstalk 2008 in Portland, OR.
- Presentation- The Constitutional Right to Travel and Full Faith & Credit Litigation in Oregon for Traveling Medical Marijuana Patients at Annual NORML Conference 2008 at Berkeley, CA.
- NORML Billy Rork Scholarship to attend the NORML Legal Conference 2006 in Key West, Florida.
- Activist of the Month by High Times Magazine in January of 2007 for my work with National NORML in Washington, D.C.
- NORML Activism Award for my work in the field of marijuana law reform policy at UNC-CH School of Law.
- Research and Editing- NORML 50 State Guide to Marijuana Laws 2006
- Research- Emerging Clinical Applications for Cannabis and Cannibinoids 2000-2008
- Outside of Practice
I grew up in southern Virginia, but moved to Raleigh, NC later in life. I am a transplant to Portland, OR which my southern drawl quickly proves. When I am not practicing law, I enjoy classic and modern film as well as literature, european board and card games, spending time with my wife at the mountains and coast, caring for my african pygmy hedgehog, as well as the constant activism work I do in drug policy. I was also the previous President of North Carolina NORML for three years, prior to moving to Oregon.