Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

A native of Asheville, NC, I am the son of a NC Highway Patrolman and second grade school teacher. Upon graduation from Wake Forest University in 1973, I began practicing law with Ronald C. Brown in the law firm of Pope & Brown. Ron became District Attorney in 1978, however I chose to continue the private practice of law until January, 2001 when Governor Hunt appointed me to the District Court Bench. I have served in the 28th Judicial District in all of our district courts including, civil, criminal, juvenile and family courts. I am on the Education Committee for the District Court Judges Association as well as the Administration of Justice Committee for the NC Bar Association.

Rebecca B. Knight is my spouse as well as a District Court Judge. My daughter Samantha and is a Senior at UNC-A. I am active in various civic groups and have served as a Guardian on several Honor Air flights for WWII veterans to the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. I attend St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and have served two terms as Church Council President. I am a Master Mason in Hominy Lodge #491 in Candler.

I sincerely believe that our community and the citizens of NC are best served by a Superior Court Judge with extensive experience in our trial courts, as a trial lawyer and judge. I offer my 28 years as a lawyer and nine years as a District Court Judge to this position. I will uphold the integrity and professionalism of the office of Superior Court Judge. My endorsements include the Honorable Bob Orr, former Supreme Court Justice and Court of Appeals Judge and the Honorable Edward Greene, former Court of Appeals Judge.

Please visit my website at www.judgepope.com.

This judicial race is about experience and the ability to serve as a Superior Court judge in a dignified, professional manner with the knowledge to understand complicated legal issues, the ability to correctly apply the law, and the skills to move the cases through the court system without unnecessary delay and error. I am the only candidate with both extensive judicial and legal experience with 9 years as a judge and 28 years as a trial lawyer. Everyone is always welcome to visit and observe my court. I am courteous, calm, dignified and professional. I enter orders promptly utilizing the latest computer technology and explore with attorneys various ways their cases can be resolved without protracted and costly litigation. As an attorney, I practiced in all State and Federal courts handling complex civil litigation and criminal law cases. I am the only candidate with capital murder trial experience. I have tried jury trials as an attorney and judge. I have extensive business background as a partner in a commercial real estate and construction development company. This combined array of legal, business and personal experiences has prepared me for the complicated task of Superior Court Judge.

The Superior Court Judge is a leader not only in the courthouse but in the community. Superior Court is the highest trial court in NC and decisions made in that tribunal not only affect the litigants but also the future of jurisprudence in NC. The purpose of the judicial system is to find solutions to the problems it confronts. Knowledge of the judicial system, application of the applicable law and professionalism is crucial for our next Superior Court Judge to accomplish these tasks. I ask for your support in the pursuit of this endeavor.