He is a member of the Grant County and Indiana Bar Associations. He is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Court, and Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland (B.S., 1972) and South Texas College of Law (J.D., 1975). He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He was born and raised in Marion, IN. He is married to Cynthia E. Payne, and has three grown children. He is author of "Murder on Gallatin Street."