Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

In 1996, I received my license as an Attorney and Counselor at Law. Since that time, my legal career has been devoted to public service.

Initially, I worked as a public defender in Gaston County. Each day as a public defender, I represented several individuals charged with various crimes and traffic matters. After this I began working with the Gaston County Department of Social Services. As the agency's attorney, I handled a large volume of child support, child protective services, and adult protective services cases.

I was chosen to serve as the Managing Attorney with Legal Services of Southern Piedmont. My duties included managing 1 attorney and 3 support staff. I was also responsible for representing individuals involved in landlord/ tenant disputes; advising on consumer cases, domestic violence cases, and custody cases.

I became a Mecklenburg County Attorney and later promoted to the role of Mecklenburg County Senior Associate Attorney. On a daily basis, I was called upon to make decisions that would impact families. I had the honor of handling cases before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the North Carolina Supreme Court. I participate in several civic organizations. I served and continue to serve in ministries at The Park Ministries and New Birth Charlotte.

Justice Matters. Unlike my opponent, my experience within the Mecklenburg County judicial system is twofold: a practicing attorney and a citizen who needed assistance from the court. I have firsthand knowledge of several circumstances wherein citizens have been disrespected by some within the judicial system. Unfortunately, there have been instances wherein cases were decided not on the law but according to other factors. These actions cross racial and/or economic lines.

Now is the time to focus on judicial accountability and integrity. Citizens deserve a district court judge who is willing to administer fair and deserved decisions, even if the decision is not poplar. Every individual has been given certain rights that must be protected. Each individual needs to and should have an opportunity to be heard or correct a perceived wrong.

This county deserves judges who will adhere to the principle of equal justice for all. The probability of an individual, an individual's relative or acquaintance having contact with the District Court is great. The reach of judicial decisions extends well beyond the walls of the courthouse. These decisions impact Mecklenburg County families and communities. Citizens, who require accountability and integrity of the district court bench have the potential to experience betterment of their individual lives and communities.

It is time to give hope to Mecklenburg County citizens that justice is blind and that justice matters.