John Lewis, raised in Harrisburg, North Carolina, was an active member of the Cabarrus County 4-H Program, contributing hundreds of volunteer hours each year to the people of our community. Through his participation in the 4-H Program, John received numerous State and National Awards for his achievements and public service. Upon his graduation from Central Cabarrus High School in 1991, John received the prestigious M.L. Barnes Award as the most Outstanding Senior.

Following high school, John attended The Citadel: The Military College of South Carolina, receiving his B.A. in English in 1995. During his four years at The Citadel, John served in numerous leadership positions in the Corp of Cadets, including Company Commander his senior year. In recognition of his proven leadership, John was twice named to the Commandant's List and twice named to the President's List. In addition to his military achievements at The Citadel, John also excelled academically, having been a member of the Honor's Program, receiving Gold Stars (gpa of 3.7 or better) each semester, and having being inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi and Delta Phi Alpha Honor Societies. Upon graduation, John was honored as the First Honor Graduate (valedictorian) for the Class of 1995.

In the fall of 1995, John enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law, where he earned his juris doctor in 1998. While attending UNC-Chapel Hill, John was a member of of the UNC-Chapel Hill Law Review staff. After graduation, John accepted a position in a litigation firm in Hickory, North Carolina, where he wrote and published his law review article entitled "Re-evaluating Grandparental Visitation in North Carolina in Light of Troxel v. Granville."

In 2001, John returned to Cabarrus County, and opened up a solo law office in Harrisburg. In February 2003, John partnered with R. Wayne Pickett, and Benjamin W. Baucom and formed the law firm of Baucom, Pickett & Lewis in Concord, where he continues to practice. In July 2007, John married Amy Blake of Rockingham, and together they reside on a small farm outside of Mount Pleasant.