BETSY J. WOLFENDEN ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE

CHAPEL HILL – 3/1/08 – Betsy J. Wolfenden, a Chapel Hill attorney, has announced her candidacy for 15-B District Court Judge. Ms. Wolfenden has practiced in the areas of family law, appellate law and criminal defense in Orange, Chatham, Durham and Wake Counties since 2000.

Wolfenden supports instituting a Family Court in District 15-B, which would assign all issues related to a single family to a judge who has received special training. "Families in Orange and Chatham Counties are getting short shrift. A couple getting divorced in Durham County can resolve all of their marital claims in twelve to eighteen months, while in District 15-B it can take up to eight years. The reason for the disparity is that Durham and Wake Counties have Family Courts which make the process of resolving domestic cases more efficient and, therefore, less expensive."

Wolfenden has been an outspoken critic of unprofessional lawyer conduct. In 2005, she spearheaded the creation of a local professionalism support initiative (PSI) for the purpose of promoting civility and respect and bolstering public confidence in the legal profession. Due in part to her efforts, the local Bar voted to implement a PSI in District 15-B in 2007. Wolfenden remains on the PSI Executive Committee.

Providing women in the Triangle since 2004 with pro-bono legal services through the Chapel Hill Women’s Center has given Wolfenden insight into the legal needs of women in District 15-B. For the past two years, Wolfenden has also worked for the Appellate Defender, writing and arguing appeals for indigent clients before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. "My appellate work has prepared me well for being a judge; judges must make sound and fair decisions based on the law, and not be swayed by personal experiences or biases."

Wolfenden received her law degree from UNC Law School in 2000. She graduated with honors from Guilford College in 1996 with a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. Wolfenden lives in Southern Village with her sixteen-year-old daughter Katherine, a National Merit Scholar who will be attending Northeastern University in the fall.

Betsy J. Wolfenden will not accept campaign contributions from lawyers who practice in 15-B District Court.

If you would like more information about Betsy J. Wolfenden, her candidacy or her positions, or to schedule an interview, please email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .