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ELECTION Guide 2010 JUDICIAL ELECTIONS Jane Gray I am qualifed to sit on the Court of Appeals based on my total of more than 31 years of legal practice: almost nine years as a District Court judge where I have presided over tens of thousands of cases, including dozens of jury trials; my 19 years in the Attorney General’s Office where I briefed and argued well over 60 civil and criminal appeals in both the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals; and my three years working at the General Assembly in the Speaker’s Office. I have participated in drafting bills, helping to get them passed into law, enforcing the law and interpreting the law as a judge. I have been recognized by the appellate courts for my writing skills. That experience, along with my reputation as a hardworking, fair and impartial judge uniquely prepares me for this position. My endorsements include three former Chief Justices of our Supreme Court, two former Chief Judges of our Court of Ap- peals, other judges, civil plaintiffs attorneys and civil defense attorneys, law enforcement, teachers, social workers and many other citizens groups. I am also endorsed by many daily and weekly newspapers. A full listing can be found on my website, www.judgejanegray.com. Judges run in nonpartisan races and I am proud to have the support of voters from both parties as well as unaffiliated voters. The citizens of North Carolina can be assured that I have no political agenda other than to see that justice is done. Dean R. Poirer In addition to being in private practice, primarily in transactional law, including real estate, wills, trusts and estates, business and corporate law, etc., I also worked as a legal research trainer for Lawyers Cooperative Pub- lishing and West Publishing. Most people don’t realize that the Court of Appeals not only hears appeals from the District Courts and Superior Courts, but also from boards and administrative agencies. Though the current Court of Appeals handles most cases well, they often fall short in cases involving administrative law. As someone with 13 years of experience handling administrative cases, I can help address this deficiency. In 2008 I received the Chairman’s Award for outstanding service in Ap- peals and in 2009 I received the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service. Further, as a law professor for four different colleges and universities, I have taught some 23 differ- ent law courses, at both the graduate and undergraduate level. In order to teach a law course, one must learn the subject matter in depth and stay current in the law. Because of this I bring a rare breadth and depth of legal knowledge to the court. J. Wesley Casteen Being both an attorney and CPA, I have a unique background among the judicial candidates. My background includes an advanced academic law de- gree and years of training and experience in finance, business and commercial matters. This breadth of experience makes me singularly qualified to provide a fresh reasoned perspective to the matters that come before the court. My law practice has placed me before all divisions of our North Carolina Courts, including the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court. I also have represented clients before the United States Bankruptcy Court and the United States Tax Court. While a zealous advocate for my clients, I have always endeavored to remain faithful to the laws of this State and to the guiding prin- ciples upon which those laws are founded. North Carolina’s continued growth will inevitably stress the legal fabric that binds all of us together. As our lives become more complex, the role of the judiciary becomes even more important. Judges neither live nor do they apply the law in a vacuum. They must look and consider the particular facts and life ex- periences of the parties, and each judge relies upon his own reason and life experiences in order to apply the laws of the state in a fair and equitable manner. Our courts are arbiters of life altering issues, and I am privileged to have advocated issues that have influenced the lives of my clients in a positive manner. A position on the Court of Appeals presents an op- portunity to apply and shape the laws of this state for the protection and benefit of all of its citizens. I thank you for your consideration, and I hope to have your vote and support on November 2nd, 2010. Jewel Ann Farlow My name is Jewel Ann Farlow, and I am a candidate for the N.C. Court of Appeals (Wynn seat). I was born and raised in Guilford County, and I am a lifelong resident of North Carolina. I share and understand the values of the people of North Carolina. I graduated from Duke University, magna cum laude, and earned my law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. I bring to the court more than 22 years of real life experience as a practicing attorney in civil and criminal matters, including litigation. My clients have included businesses and individuals from all walks of life, including physicians, educators, law enforcement officers, truck drivers, administrators, factory workers and other hard working people. I have successfuly represented clients in matters before the Court of Appeals. My experience includes domestic, contract, landlord/tenant, personal injury, insur- ance, small claims and complex business litigation. I have represented clients in criminal issues, ranging from traffic tickets to capital murder. As a practicing attorney before the courts of North Carolina, I am aware of the concerns and issues of our citizens. I am duly admitted and qualified to practice in the following courts: Supreme Court of the United States of America, North Carolina Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, United States District Court, Middle District of North Carolina, United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina. I am a conservative, and I will be a conservative judge. I believe that the Constitution and laws should be strictly construed. I do not believe that the Constitution is a living, breathing document to be in- terpreted to achieve some end inconsistent with the meaning and intent given by our forefathers. I believe that the job of a judge is to interpret the law. A judge should not engage in legal gymnastics or create new law from the bench. Politics has no place in the courtroom. And, no one is above the law. My opinions will follow the law and will be timely, well-reasoned, concise and understandable. When a judge refuses or declines to follow the law, public confidence in our judicial system is under- mined and shaken. Qualifications are not the only factor in selecting a judge. Work ethic, integrity, honesty, commit- ment, dedication, character, common sense and accountability are important considerations. I possess these qualities and will work hard for the people of North Carolina to uphold and protect their Constitui- onal rights and freedoms. I believe in North Carolina. Daniel Garner I’m asking voters in North Carolina to hire me; I have the skills, expe- rience, philosophy and desire to serve them well on the Court of Appeals. I enjoyed a varied private practice in Durham for nine years, following which I served as an unemployment hearings judge, deciding over 6,000 cases. Since 1999, I’ve worked on legislative matters, enforcement hearings and appeals, regulatory matters as counsel to the NC Commissioner of Banks. My work over 28 years has not been very public nor glorious. It’s been a broad, enriching experience, however, and great preparation. Voters should elect judges who understand that legislators legislate (debate and then make laws) and judges judge (interpret and apply laws to particular cases). Our federal and state Constitutions require a separation of powers; when a public servant in any branch casts off this constraint, he creates problems instead of fixing them. Judicial restraint serves the cause of justice longer and more ably than judicial activism (right or left). For 35 years, Cheryl and I have raised 11 children; home schooled them (two remain); sent them to college (seven graduates); seen four married (12 grandchildren). Now, I’d like to serve the citizens of North Carolina on the Court of Appeals. Please go to www.GarnerforJudge.com, and please make me your first choice on Nov. 2. Mark Klass The qualifi cations that I have to sit on the Court of Appeals include my past experiences as an assistant district attorney for two years, general practi- tioner for 12 years and a superior court jduge for 12 years. The combination of these three experiences gives me a good perspective to be a justice. If nothing else, I have seen fi rst hand all three areas of the law — from the prosecution side to the defense attorney side to the civil side and now, as a superior court judge. The appellate courts do not hear facts from witnesses, only information from briefs from attorneys. Without having the knowledge of the trial and how things transpired and how quickly things happened, you don’t have a good un- derstanding of exactly what took place unless you have been there and done it. By being in the courtroom myself, as a prosecutor, defense attorney and judge, I will be able to perform the duties of a court of appeals justice on a high level. 26 UCW OCTOBER 20-26, 2010 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM