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Aretha earned her bachelor's degree in psychology from Florida State University and her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

Prior to her election, Aretha worked as special counsel for Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein, LLP, and was a partner for Baker & Blake LLP.

Aretha Blake is currently a district court judge. She was elected in 2016 and is serving her second term.

Candidate website

Believes in the importance of legal experience and education. As a lawyer, represented clients in state and federal courts and supported law students' professional development.

Represented clients in state and federal courts and supported law students' professional development.

The candidate's website says, "Juris Doctorate, cum laude, 2002, Georgia Law Review; Full Tuition Woodruff Law Scholarship"

Graduated cum laude from law school and was awarded the Woodruff Law Scholarship.

Believes legal experience encompasses Family Law, Civil Litigation, Estate Planning and Administration, Business and Non-profit Formation and Governance, and Education Law. Supports comprehensive legal education and career development in these areas.

Has experience in family law, civil litigation, estate planning and administration, business and non-profit formation and governance, and education law.

The candidate's website says, "Antitrust, Business Tort, and Intellectual Property Litigation"

Has experience in antitrust, business tort, and intellectual property litigation.

- Represented clients in state and federal courts and supported law students' professional development.
- Graduated cum laude from law school and was awarded the Woodruff Law Scholarship.
- Has experience in family law, civil litigation, estate planning and administration, business and non-profit formation and governance, and education law.
- Has experience in antitrust, business tort, and intellectual property litigation.

Legal Experience

As of June 14, 2024, Aretha Blake’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

As Lead Juvenile Court Judge, led innovative processes to minimize court disruption during COVID-19. Supports trauma-responsive court processes and child welfare education for judges.

As Lead Juvenile Court Judge, led processes to minimize court disruption during COVID-19 and supports trauma-responsive court processes and child welfare education for judges.

Believes in minimizing disruption in Juvenile Court operations. As a judge, taught statewide courses on child welfare and trauma-responsive court processes.

As a judge, taught statewide courses on child welfare and trauma-responsive court processes.

- As Lead Juvenile Court Judge, led processes to minimize court disruption during COVID-19 and supports trauma-responsive court processes and child welfare education for judges.
- As a judge, taught statewide courses on child welfare and trauma-responsive court processes.

Judicial Administration

Believes in administering justice impartially, thoughtfully, and knowledgeably with fairness, integrity, and respect.

- Believes in administering justice impartially, thoughtfully, and knowledgeably with fairness, integrity, and respect.

Judicial Philosophy

Believes in community involvement through volunteer work, community service, and supporting local organizations. As a pro bono attorney, served children and families for over twenty years.

As a pro bono attorney, served children and families for over twenty years.

Believes community involvement is essential, actively engaging in volunteer work and supporting local organizations. As a lifelong advocate, builds collaborations to aid court-involved children and speaks on child welfare, access to justice, domestic violence, and juvenile delinquency.

Built collaborations to aid court-involved children and speaks on child welfare, access to justice, domestic violence, and juvenile delinquency.

Believes in strong community involvement through volunteer work and service with local organizations. As Past President of the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, contributed 11 years as a volunteer leader.

Was the president of the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, contributing 11 years as a volunteer leader.

Believes in strong community involvement through volunteer work and participation in local organizations. As a past member of the Mecklenburg County Bar Board of Directors, contributed 20 years of volunteer service.

Was a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar Board of Directors, contributing 20 years of volunteer service.

Believes in the importance of community involvement through volunteer work and local organizations. As Past Chair of the Legislative and Community Service Committees for the Charlotte Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., supported community service initiatives.

Was the chair of the Legislative and Community Service Committees for the Charlotte Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

- As a pro bono attorney, served children and families for over twenty years.
- Built collaborations to aid court-involved children and speaks on child welfare, access to justice, domestic violence, and juvenile delinquency.
- Was the president of the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, contributing 11 years as a volunteer leader.
- Was a member of the Mecklenburg County Bar Board of Directors, contributing 20 years of volunteer service.
- Was the chair of the Legislative and Community Service Committees for the Charlotte Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Community Involvement

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Aretha Blake

As of July 8, 2024, Aretha Blake’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Aretha Blake is a Mecklenburg County District Court Judge, elected in November 2016. She has served in Family and Juvenile Court, presiding over various related matters within Mecklenburg County.

Judge Aretha Blake has been serving as a Mecklenburg County District Court Judge since her election in November 2016. She has held office in the Family and Juvenile Court. There is no mention of appointments, committees, or previous runs for office in the provided information.

Believes in the importance of "stellar academic credentials and legal training" for a successful legal career. Supports comprehensive legal education as a foundation for effective legal practice.

The candidate's website says, "PARKER POE ADAMS & BERNSTEIN LLP, Associate and Special Counsel"

The candidate's website says, "Judge Aretha V. Blake serves as a District Court Judge in North Carolina’s 26th Judicial District (Mecklenburg County). A Certified Juvenile Court Judge currently seeking advanced certification, Judge Blake is the Lead Juvenile Court Judge, presiding over cases involving youth who have been abused, neglected, or are without caregivers and youth who are involved in the criminal legal system. Prior to Juvenile Court, Judge Blake presided in Family Court, addressing issues impacting families and children throughout the community."

The candidate's website says, "Judicial Lead of the 26th Judicial District's Child Welfare Model Court Committee and of the Child Welfare Permanency Collaborative"

The candidate's website says, "Judicial Representative on the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Court's Interdisciplinary Representation Program Advisory Committee."

Believes in strong community involvement through judicial leadership and volunteer work. As a judge, served in various roles to support the community and local organizations.

Believes in leveraging community resources to improve youth outcomes and supports community involvement.

Believes community involvement is essential, emphasizing volunteer work, community service, and participation in local organizations.

Believes community involvement is essential for promoting fairness, integrity, and respect in the judicial system. Supports volunteer work, community service, and local organizations to engage voters in Mecklenburg County.

Believes community support is "invaluable" and seeks endorsement for re-election.

- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 