After graduating from Boston Latin School in 1967, I attended Boston College. There, I majored in English and Comparative Religion, graduating in 1971. I then attended Suffolk Law School where I received the degree of Juris Doctor Cum Laude in 1974.
I began practicing law in downtown Boston, following a family tradition. I also accepted a teaching position in Suffolk Law School in 1975, where I became an Executive Director of Legal Assistance, lecturing in Family Law Practice and Trial Tactics. I taught a clinical course for 3rd year law students, running a legal assistance bureau in Charlestown, representing battered women from the inner city.
When not practicing law, I teach martial arts. I am the Founder and Chief Instructor of Black Sword Aikido. My approach and philosophy in mediating is heavily influenced by my aikido training. I have been practicing aikido for 43 years, and I hold a Godan, 5th Degree, black belt from Aikikai Hombu, as well as black belts and instructor ranks in other martial arts. In other words, I tend to use the aikido techniques of entering, blending and moving off the line to diffuse resistance, resentment, and anger, and to allow for the possibility of reconciliation.
I am also a magician and mystery entertainer. I am a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, Order of Merlin Excelsior, a Life Member and Chair of the Insurance Committee of the Society of American Magicians, a member of the Inner Circle of Bizarre Magick, 6th Degree Magus, and President of the Granite State Magicians.
I am admitted to practice law in NH, MA, and VT, although I currently am not active in VT. I have tried more than 1,000 cases in the last 43 years. I was a member of the CJA Panel for the US District Court, District of NH, 2004-2010, qualified to represent criminal defendants in general and complex crimes.
I am a certified Guardian ad Litem in NH and the President of the NH Guardian ad Litem Association. I am a Certified Family Mediator.
I have published and lectured in the areas of law, stress, comparative religion, and the martial arts and currently teach online for University of Phoenix.