Larry returned home to Asheville in 1968 and has practiced here continuously since that time. A Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and International Society of Barristers, the major focus of his practice is civil litigation with special emphasis on patent infringement and antitrust. He also has a significant practice in the business area. In addition, he represents the utility, development, and communication industries in connection with regulation, employment, zoning, and related governmental matters throughout Western North Carolina.

Larry’s litigation practice is principally in Federal Courts in the Southeast, and he is a permanent member of the Judicial Conference for the United States Fourth Circuit. He was admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court in 1973.

Larry has been involved in local government for over 35 years. He was Mayor of Asheville, Asheville City Councilman, and County Attorney for Buncombe County.

He was also elected President of the North Carolina Bar Association following terms as President of the 28th Judicial District Bar and Vice-Chair of the State Bar's initial Board of Specialization. Larry has maintained close ties with his law school alma mater, the University of North Carolina, and served as President of its Alumni Association.

For the past 10 years Larry has served as North Carolina’s State Delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates, chairing North Carolina’s Delegation to the House. This past year he headed the ABA’s Commission on Law and Aging and earlier was a member of the Commission on Women in the Profession. He currently sits on the ABA Board of Governors, on its Finance Committee and as Board Liaison to: the Commission on Law and Aging; Section of Public Utility, Communications and Transportation Law; and the Standing Committee on Election Law.

His work with the delivery of legal services to the poor extends from local to state and national levels. In that connection, he helped found the regional legal services program (Pisgah Legal Services), has served on the board of Legal Services of North Carolina, and is a past member of the ABA Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense. Larry currently serves on the North Carolina State Bar IOLTA Board.

Practice Highlights

• With other counsel, successfully defended satellite programming services provider against patent infringement claims.
• With other counsel successfully pursued and settled class-action antitrust litigation against several worldwide suppliers of textile product.
• On behalf of utility company, successfully challenged municipality’s attempt to annex a power plant. Decision by NC Supreme Court based on case of first impression.

Professional Affiliations

• 28th Judicial District Bar
• President, 1980-81
• 4th Circuit Judicial Conference 
• Permanent Member
• American Bar Association
  • Board of Governors, 2006-09
  • NC State Delegate, House of Delegates, 1996-2006
• American College of Trial Lawyers
• International Society of Barristers
• North Carolina Bar Association
  • President, 1988-90
  • Board of Governors, 1983-86, 1988-91
• UNC Law School Alumni Association
  • President, 2000-01

Recognitions

• Best Lawyers in America
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite
• North Carolina Super Lawyers
• Pisgah Legal Services Roy Davis Award