Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Kate Dreher received her bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her law degree from Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.  She began her career in Pennsylvania, where she was a law clerk for an appellate court judge, served as a prosecutor, and spent more than two years doing civil litigation.

She joined the staff of the District Attorney in Buncombe County in 1990 and spent the next twenty years trying felony cases in the Superior Court that included homicide jury trials, child abuse jury trials, and many other jury trials including armed robberies, arsons and serious assaults.  In 1994 she became the first female attorney in the State of North Carolina to be recognized as a Board Certified State Criminal Law Specialist. 

She has participated in emergency preparedness planning for Buncombe County as a representative to the anti-terrorism advisory board and the forensic epidemiology working group, as well as participating in the preparation of the pandemic continuity of operations plan for the courthouse.

Kate Dreher has also made significant efforts in crime prevention by serving as Chairperson of the Buncombe County Child Protection Team, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, the Gang Violence Prevention Project, and as a member of the Board of Caring For Children.  She joined Big Brothers/Big Sisters in 2000 and still maintains a treasured friendship with her little sister ten years later.

Kate is married to David Wells, and they have a son who is an Eagle Scout.  Kate is a member of Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church where she has been in the Ladies Sunday School Class since 1995.

The Superior Court Judge is elected for an eight year term.  Approximately three thousand criminal felony cases go to Superior Court in Buncombe County each year.  Superior Court is the only court where criminal jury trials are held.  One Superior Court Judge is assigned to hear those cases. Civil lawsuits are also heard in Superior Court, but more than twice as many criminal jury trials are heard.

I have been a Superior Court lawyer for the past twenty years, prosecuting homicides, rapes, child abuse cases, arsons and other crimes.  I can tell you from experience that the best results and the greatest good are achieved when the Superior Court Judge has actually tried cases herself.  There is a specific skill set for almost every profession, and this is true for the legal profession too. Trial work is the foundation for dealing with trials.

I am a Board Certified State Criminal Law Specialist.  I have made efforts to prevent crime by serving on the board of Caring For Children, and by serving as Chairperson of the Buncombe County Child Protection Team, the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, the Gang Violence Prevention Project, and as a mentor with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

After Judge Ronald K. Payne left the bench to return to private practice at the end of 2008, his Superior Court term was filled by one of Mike Easley's appointees and has now come up for ELECTION BY THE PEOPLE. 

If you decide that I have maintained high standards in Superior Court by becoming board certified, trying difficult cases, and serving the community in prevention efforts, and I have been a good steward of what was entrusted to me for the last twenty years in Superior Court, then please cast your vote for me to be Buncombe County's next Superior Court Judge.