Ballotpedia, Jena Culler

Jena is married to her husband, with whom she has children with. They live in the south Charlotte area. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and her law degree from the Campbell University School of Law.

Prior to her election, Jena worked in private practice for 18 years and managed a law practice.

Jena Culler is currently a district court judge. She was elected in 2010 and is serving her fourth term.

Candidate website

Believes her eighteen years in private practice and extensive district court experience provide a "sound common sense approach to decision making and problem solving."

Has over 30 years of combined experience working in public and private practice as an attorney and now a district court judge.

Has previously served as the Lead Child Support Judge, and has served since 2014 as the current Lead Family Court Judge.

Has practiced law in "every area of the district court."

- Has over 30 years of combined experience working in public and private practice as an attorney and now a district court judge.
- Has previously served as the Lead Child Support Judge, and has served since 2014 as the current Lead Family Court Judge.
- Has practiced law in "every area of the district court."

Legal Experience

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

Ethics & Conduct

Believes understanding the roles of clerks and support staff is crucial for efficient court administration. Supports evaluating best practices to manage heavy workloads and focus on helping people with their cases.

Believes understanding the roles of clerks and support staff is crucial for efficient court administration, and supports evaluating best practices to manage heavy workloads and focus on helping people with their cases.

Believes in adapting court operations to meet new challenges effectively. As a Family Court judge in Mecklenburg County, ensured continued productivity during the pandemic.

Believes in adapting court operations to meet new challenges effectively.

As a District Court Judge, worked to improve court efficiency and litigant experience through committee and project involvement. Supports fair, just, and impartial judicial administration.

As a district court judge, worked to improve court efficiency and litigant experience through committee and project involvement.

- Believes understanding the roles of clerks and support staff is crucial for efficient court administration, and supports evaluating best practices to manage heavy workloads and focus on helping people with their cases.
- Believes in adapting court operations to meet new challenges effectively.
- As a district court judge, worked to improve court efficiency and litigant experience through committee and project involvement.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Currently serves on the education committee for the North Carolina Association of District Court Judges.

Was the judicial liaison to the North Carolina Bar Association's Family Law Council.

- Currently serves on the education committee for the North Carolina Association of District Court Judges.
- Was the judicial liaison to the North Carolina Bar Association's Family Law Council.

Community Involvement

Jena Culler

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

- 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. 