Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

My name is Al Bain.  I'm an attorney in the general practice of law, with an emphasis on representing senior citizens.  I'm a candidate in the nonpartisan May 4 statewide election for the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

I earned my law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  I earned my undergraduate degree from Duke University, where I was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.  I earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of Florida.

I'm a member of the NC Elder Law Section of the NC Bar Association.  I'm the author of several articles and presentations on a number of topics, including legal ethics. 

In my 22 years of practicing law, I've represented a wide variety of clients, including senior citizens, victims of fraud, small business owners, and farmers.  In my law practice, not too much time goes by without a worried family coming to me and saying, "Mama's really sick.  What can we do to save the farm?"  Helping real people solve real problems is a very gratifying part of my work.

My wife Kelly and I have been married for 15 years.  We live in Harnett County.  We have two sons, Drew, 12, and Daniel, 6.  We are members of Lillington Presbyterian Church, where I'm an Elder, Sunday school teacher, and member of the choir.  I'm assistant scoutmaster for Troop 794 in Buies Creek and President of the Lillington Police Athletic League.

I believe the test for a judge should be, "Is that person sensible, experienced, and fair?"  Today, that test is more important than ever.  People are really struggling to keep their homes, farms, and small businesses.  When a lawyer comes before me in court, I'll always remember there's a real person behind that lawyer.  I have the common-sense experience to treat everyone fairly in my courtroom, no matter who they are.

My experience has taught me that some judges put too much emphasis on minor, technical paperwork errors.  I'll never deny a person their day in court because their lawyer filed paperwork with an incorrect page reference or other minor mistake.  As a judge, I believe I have a duty to be fair, and to get the law right.

My judicial philosophy is simple.  I believe judges should follow the law, not make it.  And I believe judges should be impartial and evenhanded, treating every person fairly.  I will never bring a personal or political agenda into my courtroom.  I will use my decades of experience and my sense of fair play to make sensible decisions based on the law.

I'm proud to have the endorsements of former US Senator and NC Attorney General Robert Morgan, former NC Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, former UNC Board of Governors chairman William Johnson, Charlotte attorney James P. Cooney, III, Smithfield attorney James W. Narron, and former Court of Appeals Judges Gerald Arnold and Eddie Greene.