At 17 years old, Anthony had a strong desire to serve our Country while also getting out to see the world; to pursue that goal, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After completing basic training in North Chicago, Anthony attended Yeoman “A” school in Meridian, Mississippi. Once Anthony completed the Yeoman course, he was assigned to the USS George Washington (CVN 73) which was home ported in Norfolk, Virginia. While assigned to the George Washington, he completed two Mediterranean Sea / Arabian Gulf deployments (2002 and 2004) aboard the George Washington. For his efforts, Anthony was awarded two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals. After completing more than three years of sea-duty, Anthony was transferred to Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment, Norfolk. While on active duty, Anthony was able to achieve the rank of Yeoman First Class (E6) and obtain a bachelor’s degree. However, at 22 years old, with a degree in hand, he was ready to chase his life-long dream of becoming an attorney. He was fortunate enough to be admitted to North Carolina Central University School of Law and in 2006 he separated from the military to begin law school.
While in law school, Anthony served as the Treasure of the Public Interest Law Organization for two years. After his first year of law school, Anthony interned with the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corp (JAGC) at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After his second year of law school, Anthony split his internship with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Defender’s Office (CMPD) and Disability Rights North Carolina. While at the CMPD’s office, he was able to gain valuable experience assisting in the defense of indigent defendants. Anthony made daily appearances in court and negotiated countless plea deals with the district attorney’s office. During his time at Disability Rights, he provided services to protect individuals with disabilities from abuse.
Once Anthony graduated law school he was offered a position with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago, Illinois as an Assistant State’s Attorney. In that position, he was able to gain valuable courtroom experience handling approximately 10-30 hearings a day, everyday, for 18 months. As part of his duties, Anthony was assigned to the Child Protective Services Division. In that capacity, he was responsibility for handling serious cases of child abuse and neglect. From initial emergency custody hearings through terminating parental rights, Anthony fought to ensure that children were not left in the hands of abusive caregivers. While in Chicago he received training from some of the best prosecutors in the country. As the second largest prosecutor’s office in the nation, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office has an amazing base of some of trial attorneys that are dedicated to training and molding the next generation of great litigators.
To broaden his exposure to different areas of the law, Anthony decided to relocate to San Diego, California and obtain a master of laws (LL.M.) in trial advocacy, specializing in federal criminal defense. While completing is LL.M., Anthony interned with a well-known private Criminal Justice Act (CJA) attorney and assisted individuals facing serious federal charges. After completing his LL.M., Anthony attended the CJA Trial Skills Academy; the Academy is an intensive course taught by federal defenders and some of the best private defense attorneys in the nation. Participants are put through a vigorous week long course where they are required to present a criminal defense case before a panel of attorneys. Each and every move is literally recorded and critiqued by the panel to assist the attorney become a more effective courtroom litigator.
After obtaining his LL.M., Anthony returned to Western North Carolina in order to accept a staff attorney position with the Burke County Department of Social Services. While with the Department, he was responsible for a broad array of legal services. Anthony’s primary responsibility was to manage and litigate the Department’s child protective services case load. Due to the nature of child protective services, Anthony also trained social workers on identifying physical abuse and how to conduct proper investigations. Additionally, he handled child support enforcement actions to ensure non-custodial parents contributed to financial support to their children. Anthony also handled incompetency proceedings regarding adults that were not able to properly care for themselves.
After years of public service, Anthony decide to open his own firm. Due to his training and experience, he decided to focus on criminal defense and family law matters. While Anthony enjoyed the freedom of working for himself, after less than a year he got the public service bug again and in 2014 he accepted a position with the U.S. Air Force as a Judge Advocate (JAG). While on active duty, Anthony was assigned to the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. In that capacity, he served various roles within the base legal office. In 2016, Anthony volunteered to deploy as part of the Joint Task Force – Guantanamo to serve as the Officer in Charge of Legal Assistance and as a Freedom of Information Act Action Officer. During his six-month deployment, Anthony earned a Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
Since returning to North Carolina, Anthony has reopened his firm and remains a zealous advocate for those in need. He has become very active with the Gilkey School Community Center and The Food Pantry, both non-profit corporations providing support to the citizens of Rutherford County. He is also an active member with the Lions Club of Rutherfordton. If Anthony is not in the courtroom, you will find him volunteering his time providing pro bono legal service, organizing fundraisers and even serving breakfast at the Community Center’s monthly fundraiser.
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