ATTORNEY BIO

Dick was born in Buffalo, New York in 1950 and served as a Captain in the United States Marine Corps
from 1972 through 1977. Dick practices law in the following areas: personal injury litigation, wrongful death, federal tort claims, and trials in state and federal courts and arbitrations.

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EDUCATION

United States Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland
International Security Affairs, 1972

Wake Forest University School of Law
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Juris Doctorate, 1980

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JURISDICTIONS ADMITTED TO PRACTICE

North Carolina State Courts - 1980
US District Court, Western District of North Carolina - 1981
US District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina - 1983

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BAR ASSOCIATIONS

North Carolina Bar Association - 1980
North Carolina Advocates for Justice - 1980
North Carolina College of Advocacy
American Association for Justice - 1991
American Bar Association
Onslow County Bar Association

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PRO BONO ACTIVITIES

PEERS-Family Development
Position: Former Board Member & Past President
Description: Provides counseling and group support to young parents having difficulty coping
with parenthood.
Click to see more info on PEERS-Family Development

BOLD - Jacksonville Downtown Revitalization Board
Position: Former Board Member & Past President
Description: Urban renewal of old downtown Jacksonville NC and host of community
activities such
as concerts open to the public.
Click to visit Bold of Jacksonville's Website

Jacksonville/Onslow County Chamber of Commerce
Position: Military Affairs Committee Member for 20+ years
Description: Promotes a strong relationship between the civilian and military community, and hosts
a monthly dinner for outstanding military members. Provides outdoor fish fries for selected commands at
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River.
Click to visit Onslow County's Chamber of Commerce Website

Kiwanis Club
Position: Member
Description: A fundraiser for various children's charities.
Click to visit Jacksonville's Kiwanis Club Website

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FEATURED CASES AND MATTERS

William "Buddy" Simmons v. NC Dept of Transportation
IC No. 748662 (1988)
Mr. Simmons was the operator of a rotary bridge at Sneads Ferry, NC.C. during a late summer night when he was surprised by a team of US Navy SEALs conducting an unauthorized night attack on the bridge. The SEALs burst into Buddy's office on the bridge and threatened him after firing numerous rounds of dummy ammunition and dummy explosives. The SEALs then conducted a mock interrogation which severely traumatized Buddy. He sustained an overwelming case of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The case created new law in North Carolina in that it was the first case in which the Industrial Commission recognized an emotional injury as a compensable Workers' Compensation case.

Laura Hackett Case
No. 113 N.C.App. 89 (1993)
Laura was seriously injured in an automobile collision. She had significant underinsured motorists coverage from her insurance policy; however, her insurance company refused to reimburse her. In fact, her insurance company refused to take part in arbitration in her claim in violation of the terms of her insurance policy. We filed a lawsuit to enforce her right to arbitrate, our request was denied by Superior Court and we appealed to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals enforced Laura's right to arbitrate her claim and her insurance company thereafter settled her case for a fair amount.