Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

As a lawyer, Leto Copeley has advocated on behalf of the people of North Carolina for 27 years, representing them in family, juvenile, domestic violence, workers' compensation, employment and civil cases in state and federal courts.   

Leto graduated with a B.A. summa cum laude from Hunter College in New York and went on to Harvard Law School where she received her J.D.  After law school, Leto served as a law clerk to the Honorable Judge James B. McMillan, U.S. District Court in Charlotte from 1983-84.  Later, she worked for Legal Services of Mecklenburg and Union Counties where she co-founded a domestic violence program.  She has been in private practice since 1987.  Presently she is a partner at Patterson Harkavy LLP in Chapel Hill, and has been a Board Certified Specialist in Workers' Compensation since 2000.  

Rated AV (very high to pre-eminent) by Martindale Hubbell, Leto has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2005.  She was named to North Carolina Super Lawyers Magazine, 2006-10, and has been listed as one of Top 50 Women Lawyers in the same magazine from 2006-09.  

Leto served as President of the NC Association of Women Attorneys from 1998-99, and on the Board of Directors of Legal Aid of North Carolina from 2002-07.  She has written numerous papers and articles and has lectured on employment law and workers' compensation at legal education seminars in North Carolina and nationally.   

Leto is married to native North Carolinian Bert Fisher.  She is a member of St. Philips Episcopal Church in Durham, where she is a member of the vestry (governing board).  She has also served as a youth group leader and acts as a sign language interpreter for Sunday services. 

I am running for the Court of Appeals because the decisions of this court are so important to the people of North Carolina, impacting our families, homes and jobs.  As the state's only intermediate appellate court, this court reviews decisions of the superior and district courts.  It is vital that the Appellate Judges have substantial experience and are committed to applying the law fairly so that every citizen of our state receives equal justice.  

Judges must treat all parties equally, with respect, and free of outside influence.  They must apply, not make, the law.  I commit to upholding these principles as a judge and I welcome serving the good people of this state. 

The value of public service was taught to me at any early age by the example set by my father, a doctor who provided free medical care to low-income families in our small rural community.  After my father's death when I was 11, I learned the values of hard work and respecting others while working my way through college in an auto parts plant, cleaning houses and waiting tables.   

I became a lawyer to make a positive contribution to society.  I have a reputation as a dedicated and conscientious advocate for my clients but also for listening and respecting my opponents.   

I am honored to be endorsed by the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, the North Carolina AFL-CIO, the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association, as well as many community organizations across the state, in addition to over 200 lawyers, former judges on the Court of Appeals, former trial judges, a former Marine Corps prosecutor and appellate judge, mediators, and many lawyers who have represented the other side in my cases.  

I ask for your support and your vote.   Please visit www.letoforjudge.com.