Judge. b. Ohio. B.S., Miami University, Oxford, OH, 1967; J.D., Emory University Law School, Atlanta, GA, 1973; LL.M., Taxation, New York University Law School, New York, 1978. Supply Corps Officer, U.S. Naval Reserve, active duty 1967-1970, Morocco and Vietnam, received Joint Service Commendation Medal. Admitted to practice law in Georgia; member of law firm of Graham and Wells, P.C.; County Attorney for Toombs County, GA; City Attorney, Vidalia, GA, until 1977; member of law firm of Hurt, Richardson, Garner, Todd and Cadenhead, Atlanta, until 1981; law firm of Shearer and Wells, P.C., until 1986; member of American Bar Association, Section of Taxation; State Bar of Georgia, member of Board of Governors; Board of Editors, Georgia State Bar Journal; member Atlanta Bar Association; Editor of the Atlanta Lawyer; active in various tax organizations, such as Atlanta Tax Forum, presently, Honorary Member; Director, Atlanta Estate Planning Council; Director, North Atlanta Tax Council; American College of Tax Counsel, Honorary Fellow; Emory Law Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2001; Life Member, National Eagle Scout Association, Eagle Scout, 1960. Member, Metropolitan Club; Chevy Chase Club, Vidalia Kiwanis Club, President, recipient Distinguished President Award. Appointed by President Reagan as Judge, United States Tax Court, on October 13, 1986, for a term ending October 12, 2001. Reappointed by President Bush on October 10, 2001, for a term ending October 9, 2016. Served as Chief Judge from September 24, 1997, to November 6, 1997, and from June 1, 2000, to May 31, 2004. Assumed senior status on January 1, 2011.