Join Jennifer Bennington
Thank you for considering my candidacy for the Eighth Judicial District bench, which serves Wilson, Edgecombe, and Nash Counties. I am running for Seat 4, which is currently held by Judge Anthony Brown, who will not be seeking re-election. I have lived and practiced law in North Carolina for 16 years, and I believe I can bring a unique perspective to our judiciary.
A diversity of experiences has prepared me to bring new strengths to the bench. Our bench is already blessed with many judges knowledgeable in diverse areas of law. However, our community would benefit from my extensive knowledge of juvenile welfare, child support, business and other complex, sensitive, and nuanced areas of civil law. My addition to the bench would help balance our scales of justice.
This is a partisan election, and, while I am a registered Republican, I do not believe that serving as a judge is, or should be, party-driven. Judges should take the facts presented to them, be knowledgeable in the law, and apply the law equitably to each situation, regardless of the party affiliation of the parties or the judge. I believe the person and what they bring to the bench is more important than the party that appears on the ballot next to their name. Justice is PURPLE.
Rich Legal Experience
I graduated from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia with a double major in Criminal Justice and Sociology before attending law school at West Virginia University School of Law. While at law school, I was awarded the American Bankruptcy Institute Medal of Excellence, served on Law Review, and was given the honor of Order of the Coif.
Although, many have assisted me professionally, I have had the extreme privilege to work for and with three of the best legal legends in North Carolina (at least in my opinion). Prior to private practice, I clerked for J. Rich Leonard, former United States Bankruptcy Judge, now Dean of Campbell Law School. After clerking, I worked for two years with Trawick "Buzzy" Stubbs at Stubbs & Perdue, and then joined Steve Beaman, with whom I have practiced law for 14 years. I have learned many lessons from these wise men, including: work hard, be prepared, know the law, and treat everyone with respect. These lessons and others will help me serve the people of Wilson, Nash, and Edgecombe Counties as a district court judge.
For the last 14 years, I have served as one of the attorneys for Wilson County Department of Social Services. In that role, I represented the Department to ensure children are better protected in cases involving child abuse, neglect, and dependency, as well as worked to facilitate support for custodial parents through the child support process. I have also been involved in cases regarding vulnerable adults and civil and criminal cases that require Department records or testimony.
I am a Board Certified Specialist in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy. I have represented debtors, creditors, and trustees in numerous bankruptcy cases that have involved diverse issues including equitable distribution, child support, foreclosures, breach of contract, preferences, trusts, fraud, sale of real estate, claim of liens, minor settlements, and many others. I have also represented parties outside of bankruptcy regarding breach of contract, work outs, or other monetary disputes.
I have assisted my law partner Steve Beaman in his capacity as the County Attorney for Wilson County, I have tackled legal issues of real estate, taxes, personal matters, contracts, and many things in between.
Justice with Dignity and Respect
When clerking for J. Rich Leonard, former United States Bankruptcy Judge, now Dean of Campbell Law School, I learned many valuable lessons that I want to carry forward. This includes treating every person - whether a pro-se debtor or a multi-million dollar creditor - with respect, understanding, and compassion. Most people do not want to be in a court room, and making that experience less stressful can go a long way in ensuring that the judicial process runs efficiently and with integrity.
Protecting Children and the Vulnerable
I have dreamed of being a judge since middle school. From a childhood dream, my legal journey grew into protecting children, representing families, and navigating clients through personal loss and upheaval. My practice has been diverse, deeply personal, and defined by the breadth of human experience.
Prior to attending law school, I served as a social worker at Somerset County Department of Social Services in Maryland. This was a rural area, and I worked with a variety of families, including those with homes without indoor plumbing, children with special needs, and families that found themselves on hard times through no fault of their own. Seeing those situations firsthand and being able to work with families to ensure the children were safe and protected, has given me a knowledge of diverse experiences that would be an asset to our bench.
Community Roots
Giving back to the community is important to me, and until recently I served as the Vice President and a Board Member of Building Connections at Whispering Oaks Farms Inc., a non-profit working to help neurodivergent children and their families to reach their full potential. I have also previously served as a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, Bankruptcy Council. In 2016, I was awarded the North Carolina Bar Association Bankruptcy Law Section Pro Bono Award. From 2018-2020 I served on the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina Local Rules Committee, which assists the Bankruptcy Court in reviewing the local rules, suggesting changes, and soliciting comments from the bar and the general public on any proposed changes.
Moreover, for many years I volunteered with the StepUp Ministry in Raleigh, a non-profit working with adults and children to transform their lives through employment and life skills training, and in 2011, I was presented with the “I Step Up Award” for my work with its children’s program. In addition to organizations, I have coached my youngest son’s soccer teams through the Wilson Parks and Rec and volunteer at my oldest son’s school.
