Orville D. Coward, Jr. was born in Sylva, North Carolina, on December 22, 1953. He is an Eagle Scout. He graduated with honors from Yale in 1976 and from the University of North Carolina Law School in 1979, when he began practicing with the firm. He was admitted to the U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina in 1979, and to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1985. He has been President of the Thirtieth Judicial District Bar and has served on the Board of Directors of Southwestern Community College. Orville’s practice is primarily in real estate and business.