Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Jena Culler was born and raised in Jacksonville, North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1986 with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. She attended Campbell University School of Law in Buies Creek, North Carolina where she obtained her law degree in 1989. She was admitted to practice law in North Carolina and South Carolina in 1989. After clerking for the Honorable William L. Howard in Charleston, South Carolina, she and her husband, attorney Andy Culler, moved to Charlotte in 1990.

During her eighteen years in private practice in Mecklenburg County, Jena practiced in the areas of family law, criminal misdemeanor defense, civil litigation, juvenile law, and was an arbitrator and a mediator. She practiced in every area over which District Court Judges preside. She worked with Automatic Child Support Enforcement Court representing child support recipients for fifteen years as part of private practice. She was the managing partner of Culler & Culler, P.A. from 1996 to 2008.

She was appointed to the bench in 2008 by the Governor to fill the seat of a retiring judge. Since being appointed to the bench, she has primarily presided in Family Court. She was selected as Lead Judge in the area of child support and as the Child Support Committee Chair shortly after being appointed to the bench. She predominantly presides over cases involving issues of child custody, visitation, child support, equitable distribution, alimony, divorce, and domestic violence. She presides in civil and criminal courts. She lives in Charlotte with her husband and three children, and is actively involved in the community. For more information about Judge Jena Culler, including a list of supporters, visit www.judgeculler.com.

I have twenty years of experience in Mecklenburg County District Courts. Before being appointed to the bench in 2008, I was in private practice for eighteen years, practicing in every area of District Court. In addition to my legal experience, I have the years of life experience, including managing a law practice and raising children, that provide me with a sound common sense approach to decision making and problem solving.

In family court, I often have the task of determining what is in the best interests of children in custody disputes. I enter court orders with details designed to minimize the effect the parties' conflicts on their children. In criminal court, I have the task of determining whether someone is guilty of a crime and the appropriate sentence for those found guilty. The law provides broad discretion to judges in District Court. It is important for judges to exercise that discretion wisely, while being fair, impartial, and even handed in their decisions.

As a judge, I find it imperative to listen, knowing everyone wants an opportunity to be heard, while using court time efficiently in order to effectively manage large case loads. I strive to balance justice and compassion and to bring a demeanor to the bench that is respectful to everyone appearing in court. I hope to serve our community as a District Court Judge for years to come.