Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Brad Sahl is the managing shareholder of the Law Offices of Brad Sahl, P.C. in Raleigh, NC. Brad earned his B.A. degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland in 1995 and his J.D. degree from Widener University School of Law (DE) in 1998.

As an undergraduate student, Brad completed an internship in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office in the Major Trials Unit (1993). While in law school, Brad served as a law clerk in the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office (1996) and as a judicial clerk to the Hon. John T.J. Kelly, Jr., Superior Court of Pennsylvania (1997).

He began practicing law in 1998 and from 1999-2004, Brad limited his practice to the representation of employers, insurance carriers, and third party administrators in Pennsylvania and New Jersey workers' compensation matters. Brad moved to Raleigh, NC in 2005 and founded the Law Offices of Brad Sahl, P.C. in 2006.

The firm represents people accused of crimes in state and federal court. Brad is licensed to practice in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and is a member of the North Carolina and Wake County Bar Associations. He is also a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. He served on the Administration of Justice Committee for the North Carolina Bar Association and the Legislative Committee for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.

He successfully completed the Misdemeanor Defender Program, Felony Defender Program, and North Carolina Defender Trial School at the UNC School of Government. Additionally, he successfully completed the NHTSA DWI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Training Program taught to law enforcement officers. Brad is scheduled to speak at the 2010 North Carolina Advocates for Justice Convention in Wilmington on Sex Offender Registry Removal.

I believe in fair justice for all. I believe that legal proceedings should be administered with the utmost fairness to all parties involved. As Judge, I will listen carefully to all evidence presented and will apply that evidence to all relevant laws. I will work diligently to follow this course of action in every case, regardless of who the affected parties may be.

I believe in the efficiency of our courts. The citizens of Wake County fund their court system with their tax dollars and they deserve efficient, professional courts. As Judge, I will use my years of experience inside and outside the courtroom to improve the efficiency with which justice is administered in Wake County.

I believe in accurately interpreting the law. I am a strict constructionist who believes that the job of judges is to interpret the law, not legislate from the bench. As Judge, I will apply laws to individual cases as they were written. As an experienced attorney, I have an extensive working knowledge of case law. I will put this knowledge to work for you as our District Court Judge.

I believe in reining in frivolous cases. As Judge, I will not stand for frivolous matters being brought before the Court. In fact, I will take a hard line against those who seek to abuse the court system. Frivolous suits clog up the court calendar and cost taxpayers money. You can count on me to stop legal abuse.

Most importantly, I believe in trust. I will restore trust in our legal system and as Judge, will work to build that trust. Judges and administrative staff work for the people of North Carolina and are accountable to them. I will be mindful of this each and every day I wear a judicial robe.