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What Should I Expect from My Lawyer?

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Eight Promises Expected from a Lawyer

1. I will visit you in jail.

2. I will take payments on my retainer — just pay me in full before trial.

3. I will return your phone calls and those of your family.

4. I will do everything ethically in my power to reduce your bail.

5. I will not use illegal drugs at any time for any reason.

6. If you want to go to trial, I will not bulldog into taking a plea or giving up your position.

7. I will not abandon you for any reason, unless you lie to me, not pay me, or seek me to do something unethical or illegal.

8. I will fight for you at trial.

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Why Not a Public Defender?

You get what you pay for

I served as a public defender for nine years, and the old adage is true: “You get what you pay for.”

The public defender’s ultimate pragmatism is directed toward his or her paymaster, in other words, the government, not toward you.

While there are very good and very talented public defenders, many truly concerned for their clients, there is no way to guarantee loyalty.  Even if your public defender is committed to you, with a stroke of a pen (or now, a collection of electrons), your public defender can be removed by his or her supervisor from your case and transferred to other clients, other jurisdictions, other courts.  I know: it happened to me multiple times during my tenure as a public defender.

To ensure loyalty to you, always, always, expend the money necessary to secure a private defense attorney.

Lawyer defending client in court

Why Should I Hire You?

Experienced Advocate

I have handled over 7,500 cases in 30+ years of law practice (including death penalty work, and multiple murder, rape, sodomy, robbery, and burglary cases).  I am licensed to practice in Kentucky and admitted to the bars of all federal and state courts in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  I have served both in private practice and in public advocacy, and has served both in support of criminal prosecution and in criminal defense.

Recognized Leader

Although now retired from serving in the United States Navy, during my service, I held all positions of leadership, including command.  As a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, I led sailors during times of war.  I am cognizant of all things necessary to instill quiet and certain confidence in my leadership.  I understand the need for performance under pressure when receiving incoming fire.  I received six personal medals (in addition to more than a dozen other decorations), and retired in 2014 at the rank of Commander (O5).

Highly Educated:

I have served as a federal law clerk for Judge Eugene S. Siler, Jr., and for Judge George Revercomb (now deceased).  I graduated in the top third of my class at the University of Virginia Law School.  I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia.  I have engaged in post-graduate theological studies at Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida.  I have years of Joint and Naval Officer education, including (in particular) Joint Professional Military Education, Phase 1, at the Naval War College, Annapolis, Maryland, and Joint Professional Military Education, Phase 2, at the Joint Forces Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia.

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