In addition to his teaching and administrative workload, Chris will be conducting further research and scholarship in the areas of ethics and professional responsibility, and particularly the interrelationship of both with mental health and substance abuse issues. Prior to entering academia, Chris was a litigation attorney in Charlotte for over 15 years, and served as a career law clerk to former U.S. Magistrate Judge Carl Horn III. During his 11 years as an associate and then a shareholder with Horack Talley Pharr & Lowndes, PA, Chris practiced construction and real estate litigation, business litigation, and employment law, and also was certified by the N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission as a Superior Court mediator.