[1] He earned an undergraduate degree in political science with honors at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a J.D.

During law school, he joined the Capitol Hill staff of North Carolina Senator Sam Ervin, where he served as the Counsel to Senator Ervin's Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitutional Rights and as Chief Counsel and Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Separation of Powers.

As Secretary of State he broadened securities oversight in an effort to protect investors, and worked with the General Assembly to craft a law to establish Limited Liability Companies in North Carolina.

After his resignation in 1996 Edmisten launched a legal practice that merged with that of former NC Department of Justice colleague and Deputy US attorney, Woody Webb, in 1998.

Edmisten runs a charity in North Carolina called the Foundation for Good Business, Extra Special Super Kids.

The Super Kids program provides college scholarships to underprivileged high school students who wish to pursue higher learning.

He is a member of the boards of directors of the Julia Crump Foundation and Project Enlightenment, both of which are charitable organizations that seek to enhance educational opportunities for disadvantaged youths.