He graduated from Auburn University in 1969 where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau social fraternity, and went on to earn a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alabama's School of Law in 1972.
He graduated from Auburn University in 1969 where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau social fraternity. He served in the Alabama National Guard from 1969 to 1971, during the Vietnam War, while attending law school; he earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Alabama's School of Law in 1972.