Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

I am a product of North Carolina. I grew up here and received my undergraduate degree in  Business Administration, with a minor in Spanish, from North Carolina Central University. While at NCCU, I was selected as one of 6 students from UNC, Duke and NCCU to work with the Peace Corps in Central America during a summer. Exposure to other cultures outside of the United States inspired me to join the Peace Corps after graduation. After graduation I joined the Peace Corps and worked with farmers in Mysore State, India.

I earned my law degree from Rutgers University and worked at Durham Legal Aid for a year. Two years after opening my solo practice, my friend, Dan Blue, and I formed the law firm later known as Thigpen, Blue, Stephens & Fellers.  

In my 35 years as a trial lawyer, I handled all types of cases; real estate, domestic, criminal, civil litigation and business, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. I was a member of the legal team that successfully litigated the United States Supreme Court case Bazemore vs Friday. The case lasted 15 years.

I was the first African American elected President of the North Carolina State Bar in its 66 year history. During my tenure I was able to increase the number of women and minorities serving on various committees and boards.

I was inducted into the NC Bar Association General Practice Hall of Fame and I also served on the NC Board of Law Examiners.

In 2008, I was appointed as a Special Superior Court Judge and have held court in 39 counties. On August 23, 2010 Governor Beverly Perdue appointed me to the NC Court of Appeals. I am running to retain my seat on the NC Court of Appeals.

My parents instilled in me a strong work ethic and an appreciation for education. I served on the UNC Board of Trustees and was Chairman of the Board of Trustees at NCCU.

I was a trial lawyer for 35 years representing both plaintiffs and defendants. I earned a reputation for vigorously representing my clients. I was inducted into the NC Bar Association General Practice Hall of Fame. Inductees are recognized for having exhibited throughout their practice the highest standards of ethics and professional competency and to have rendered a high level of service to the Bar and to their communities.

As a Superior Court Judge I earned a reputation for being fair, impartial and courteous to all who appeared before me. Holding court in 39 counties allowed me to learn more about our great state and its citizens. I learned that we have lawyers who do a good job of representing their clients, we have excellent court personnel and we have citizens who make great sacrifices to serve on juries so that our legal system works.

I believe my broad legal experience uniquely qualifies me to remain on the NC Court of Appeals.

My judicial philosophy is simple. I believe in the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of North Carolina. I believe in the rule of law. I believe in dispensing justice fairly and without favoritism. I believe that every person has a right to have his or her day in court.

My philosophy of life is also simple. Treat people as you would have them treat you. Look after the very young and the very old because they are the most vulnerable in our society. Believe in God. I believe that faith, family and friends are the most important things in our lives.