Most recently, that has translated into us purchasing an art gallery in Charlotte – the Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art. We share a passion not only for giving voice to the voiceless and fighting for fairness and equality, but also for finding unique ways of addressing the societal issues that motivate us and underlie many of the cases we handle. I ski as much as possible, I devour newspapers, and I love to travel with my wife and law partner, Sonya Pfeiffer. Some of the cases that have meant the most to me personally over the decades are described below.Īlthough the work is consuming, I do find time for life outside the law. Although there has been evolution in terms of partners, firm names and the cases we tend to handle, one thing has remained constant – a commitment to individuals who need our help against the power of the government. The firm has been in existence ever since – now 36 years. So, in 1982 I started my own firm with a colleague from Duke Law School. I missed the ability to give a voice to the accused, and I missed the responsibility of protecting critical Constitutional rights.
![gay bar shooting charlotte nc gay bar shooting charlotte nc](https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/t_focal-760x428,f_auto,q_auto:best/MSNBC/Components/Video/201606/tdy_lester_orlando_160613.jpg)
![gay bar shooting charlotte nc gay bar shooting charlotte nc](http://www.ontopmag.com/images/ArticleImages/anthony_foxx_charlotte_major_on_c-span.jpg)
A number of my students became public defenders themselves.īut I missed the courtroom, and I missed representing people myself. In 1978, I was hired to start the Criminal Law Clinic at the University of North Carolina School of Law. After two years in the Bronx, I went to the Federal Defender office in Brooklyn, and tried a number of federal criminal cases (including a case arising out of the hijacking of an airliner by a group of Croatians seeking independence from Yugoslavia).Īfter several more years in the courtroom representing indigent defendants, I wanted to encourage new law students to represent poor people.