He earned his BA (Bachelor of Arts) from the University of Rhode Island and his JD (Doctor of Jurisprudence) from the New England School of Law.

From 1983 to 1992, he was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Rhode Island and the Chief of the Public Corruptions Unit.

He has also served as the president and a member of the board of directors from 1993 to 1996 at the Center for Non-Violence in Providence, Rhode Island.

He has also been involved in public service, serving as a member of the Town Council of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, from 1994 to 1996.

While holding these jobs, he taught courses in the business and law department as an adjunct instructor for the Community College of Rhode Island from 1983 to 2002.