Trellis Law

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Graham holds a bachelor's degree from Virginia Military Institute and a law degree from the William & Mary Law School. He is married to his wife, Kim with whom he has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Their family lives in Apex and are active members of Christ Church in Raleigh.

Graham previously worked as a private practice attorney at Shirley & Adams, PLLC, and as an attorney at Lewis & Roberts, PLLC. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army

Graham Shirley currently serves as a superior court judge in District 10. He was appointed to this position in 2015, re-elected in 2016, and is serving his first term. 

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As a Superior Court Judge, presided over numerous criminal, civil, and administrative cases, including serious felonies and complex civil disputes.

As a superior court judge, Shirley presides over numerous criminal, civil, and administrative cases and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Believes legal experience includes extensive practice in construction and commercial litigation, representing clients in various courts.

As a private practice attorney, Shirley researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in construction and commercial litigation law. 

As an attorney at Lewis and Robert's PLLC, Shirley drafted and reviewed contracts for clients, and represented clients in North Carolina state in federal trial and appellate courts for various construction and complex commercial cases.

- As a superior court judge, Shirley presides over numerous criminal, civil, and administrative cases and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As a private practice attorney, Shirley researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in construction and commercial litigation law. 
- As an attorney at Lewis and Robert's PLLC, Shirley drafted and reviewed contracts for clients, and represented clients in North Carolina state in federal trial and appellate courts for various construction and complex commercial cases.

Legal Experience

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

Ethics & Conduct

Wants to reduce backlogs and save time by modernizing court processes. 

- Wants to reduce backlogs and save time by modernizing court processes. 

Judicial Administration

Supports judicial restraint and preventing political biases from interfering in court.

Supports the Constitution and believes in "interpreting the law as it is written and not as I might like it to be..."

- Supports judicial restraint and preventing political biases from interfering in court.
- Supports the Constitution and believes in "interpreting the law as it is written and not as I might like it to be..."

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement

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Graham Shirley

Graham earned a degree from Virginia Military Institute and a law degree from the William & Mary Law School. He is married to his wife Kim, and together they  have  2 children and 2 grandchildren. They reside in Apex in a historic home they renovated and are active members of Christ Church in Raleigh.

Graham worked as a private practice attorney prior to his appointment. He was previously commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army.

Graham Shirley currently serves as superior court judge in District 10. He was appointed in 2015, re-elected in 2016, and has served one full term.

As a Superior Court Judge, presided over numerous criminal, civil, and administrative cases, including personal injury disputes, medical malpractice, larceny, and drug trafficking.

As a private practice attorney, handled cases in construction and commercial litigation.

Believes legal experience includes prosecuting major criminal cases and providing legal advice to high-level Army officials. Said, "I served as Senior Trial Counsel for III Corps" and "provided legal advice on a wide range of topics" at the Pentagon.

Said, "I served as Senior Trial Counsel for III Corps" and "provided legal advice on a wide range of topics" at the Pentagon.

- As a Superior Court Judge, presided over numerous criminal, civil, and administrative cases, including personal injury disputes, medical malpractice, larceny, and drug trafficking.
- As a private practice attorney, handled cases in construction and commercial litigation.
- Said, "I served as Senior Trial Counsel for III Corps" and "provided legal advice on a wide range of topics" at the Pentagon.

Believes in effective judicial administration by managing complex commercial, constitutional, and civil cases.

Prioritizes reducing backlogs through streamlined processes to ensure timeliness on cases.

- Prioritizes reducing backlogs through streamlined processes to ensure timeliness on cases.

Believes in "Strict Adherence to the Constitution and Rule of Law." Opposes judicial activism and supports judicial restraint.

Supports "Strict Adherence to the Constitution and Rule of Law."

Believes in upholding justice, enforcing the rule of law, and delivering fair and impartial judgments.

Believes in "upholding justice, enforcing the rule of law, and delivering fair and is committed to fair and impartial judgments."

Supports judicial restraint and upholding checks and balances.

Said, "I am committed by my oath to uphold the Constitutions and laws of the United States and North Carolina with unwavering fidelity. I believe in interpreting the law as it is written and not as I might like it to be, honoring the original intent of the drafters of the laws."

Wants to "examine and treat each person as an individual."

- Supports judicial restraint and upholding checks and balances.
- Said, "I am committed by my oath to uphold the Constitutions and laws of the United States and North Carolina with unwavering fidelity. I believe in interpreting the law as it is written and not as I might like it to be, honoring the original intent of the drafters of the laws."
- Wants to "examine and treat each person as an individual."

Graham Shirley was raised in a military family and graduated with honors from the Virginia Military Institute in 1985, later attending law school at the College of William and Mary. He is married to Kim, with whom he has twin children, Jeff and Sydney, and two grandchildren, Graham and Winnie. They reside in Apex in a historic home they renovated and are active members of Christ Church in Raleigh.

Graham Shirley was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army after graduating from the Virginia Military Institute in 1985. Following his military service, he attended law school at the College of William and Mary, graduating in 1988. The specific details of his career post-law school are not provided.

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

Believes legal experience is crucial, having presided over notable and complex cases in Wake County.

- The Superior Court Judge hears both civil and criminal cases. Superior Court Judges try civil cases involving more than $10,000. Superior Court Judge hear appeals of misdemeanors and infraction cases that were first heard in the District Court,
- They make decisions on bail, meaning a Superior Court Judge could keep a non-dangerous person in jail before they are convicted by setting a high bail.
- In each district (except Wake County), the most senior judge in years of service is designated the senior resident superior court judge. They are responsible for various administrative duties, including appointing magistrates and some other court officials, and managing the scheduling of civil cases for trial.
- Superior court judges rotate among the districts within their divisions.  
- The Superior Court Judge is elected for 8-year terms. Elections are partisan.