Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

I was born in Burnsville and lived in rural Yancey County until my parents died when I was fifteen. I move to Caldwell County to live with my brother, a State Trooper, and his family.

I graduated from the public schools. I received my B.A. Magna Cum Laude from Catawba College where I received the Whitener Award which is awarded to the senior that best exemplifies the College's goals of leadership, scholarship and service. I received my law degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

I served as a Research Assistant for N.C. Court of Appeals Judge (later Chief Judge) Gerald Arnold. I also served as a staff attorney and head of the Central Staff for the Court. In 1989, I moved to Charlotte to practice with the law firm of James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A. My practice was primarily in the area of civil commercial litigation. I was with the Firm until 2007 when Governor Easley appointed me a Special Superior Court Judge. Since September 2007, I have served as a Judge on the Court of Appeals.

In 1982 I was licensed by the N.C. Bar. I am also licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and all the North Carolina Federal District Courts. I am a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In 1989, I was named the Outstanding Young Lawyer by the Young Lawyers Division of the N.C. Bar Association.

I am an active member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Charlotte, and am active in the civic life in my community. I have served on the Board of Trustees for the Mint Museum of Art and on the Board of the Charlotte Urban Ministry Center, which assists the homeless.

I ask for your support and vote on November 4 to retain my seat on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. My judicial philosophy is quite simple. I pledge to administer justice fairly, without favoritism and to perform my responsibilities with integrity and to the best of my ability. As a Judge, I have no agenda to pursue, nor any platform to advance. I believe that all litigants are entitled to have a Court consider their contentions without any bias or prejudice.

I believe that my background, education and experience make me well qualified to hold this office. I have been privileged to live in rural areas, small towns and our State's largest urban area. My service on the North Carolina Banking Commission, the North Carolina Arts Council, the Rules Review Commission, and the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Railroad have expanded my understanding of our State.

My experience as a Superior Court Judge, practicing attorney in civil litigation for 18 years and as a Staff Attorney and Research Assistant at the Court provide a well rounded base of experience to make me an effective Judge. My opinions since I have been the Court of Appeals show that I am a fair and impartial jurist who strives to timely decide the cases before me.

I am privileged to serve you on the Court of Appeals. I have received endorsements from law enforcement, teachers, workers and retired members of the North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. I ask for your support and your vote.

For more information, please visit my web site www.JudgeArrowood.com