Member, North Carolina House of Representatives, 2002-2015

Minority Whip, North Carolina State House, 2011-2012

Member, Cumberland County Board of Education, 1996-2002

Chairman, Cumberland County Board of Education, 1997-1999

Committee member, Chief Justice of North Carolina's Actual Innocence Commission, 2005-present

Committee member, Chief Justice of North Carolina's Business Courts Commission, 2005-06

Committee member, NC Legislative Juvenile Code Revision Committee, 1993-95

Member, Selection Committee, University of North Carolina John Motley, present

Public School Forum of North Carolina, Board of Directors, 2006-2012

Delegate, Democratic National Convention, 2012

Chairman, Democratic Freshman Caucus, 2003-2004

Member, Morehead Foundation, 1994-1999

Co-Chairman, School Bond Committee, 1997

Adjunct Professor, Campbell University School of Law, 1991-1997, 2000-present

Visiting Professor, Fayetteville State University, 2007-present

Instructor in Criminal Justice, Fayetteville Technical Community College, 1983-90

Attorney, Hardison and Leone, Limited Liability Partnership, present

Law Clerk to United States Magistrate Judge Wallace Dixon, USDC, EDNC, 1986-88

Law Clerk to US District Judge James C Fox, USDC, EDNC, 1983-86

Partner, Beaver, Holt and Richardson, PA, 1988-2005

Attorney, Beaver, Holt, and Richardson, 1988-2005

Law Clerk, United States District Judge James C. Fox, 1983-1988

Member, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1981-present

Member, North Carolina Bar Association, 1981-present

Board Member, Child Advocacy Center Board of Directors, 2001-2005

Board member, Fayetteville Urban Ministry Board of Directors, 1996-2003

Board Member, University of North Carolina Center for Public Television, 1997-2002

Sunday School teacher; Board of Trustees; President of Board ( 1995), Beth Israel Congregation, 1987-1995

Board President, Beth Israel Congregation, 1987-1995

Board Member, The Women's Center of Fayetteville, 1992-1994