Kimberly Best

Judicial Vacancy Candidate: Kimberly Best

Firm/Organization:

The Best Law Firm, PLLC

Practice Area(s):

Criminal, Abuse/Neglect/Dependency, Civil, Bankruptcy

Education:

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
Study Abroad-Sevilla, Spain

Indiana University Maurer School of Law, Bloomington, IN
Juris doctorate

University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina
Masters Business Administration in Management and Global Studies
Study Abroad in Argentina
Study Abroad in Costa Rica

Bar and Court Admissions:

State Bar of North Carolina
Western District of North Carolina
Middle District of North Carolina
Michigan State Bar
Eastern District of Michigan
District of Columbia Bar

Professional Involvement:

JUDICIAL LEADERSHIP Charlotte, North Carolina

Juvenile Justice Subcommittee, Chair
• 2010-2014
Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Member
• 2010-2014
Juvenile Justice Subcommittee
• 2010-2016
New Judges School Panelist
• 2011-2012
Chair, Psychotropic Medication Protocol Committee
• 2015-2016
Wellness Court Judge, Mental Health Treatment Court
• 2019-2021
Lead Civil Court Judge
• 2020-2022

MECKLENBURG COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION 1998-Present Charlotte, North Carolina

• Devonshire Elementary Volunteer-1998
• Law & Society Committee 2016-2022
• Nominating Committee 2008
• Law Day Committee 2012, 2013

RACE MATTERS FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE

• Board Member, 2012-2024
• Speakers Bureau, 2019-2022

JOHN S. LEARY BAR ASSOCIATION 1999-Present

• Chair, 2008
• Co-Chair, 2007

NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION 2004-Present

• Judicial Council-2009-Present

Truancy Court Volunteer
Westerly Hills Elementary
Nathaniel Alexander Elementary
Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle
JH Gunn Elementary

COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA
Union Steward

Civic and Community Involvement:

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC., 1989 – Present
Omega Iota Omega Chapter, Charter Member
• Parliamentarian 2024-2025
• Vice President 2021-2022
• Secretary 2018-2020
Rho Psi Omega Chapter 2004-2014
• Corresponding Secretary 2009-2010
• RPO Inc., Second Vice President 2010-2011
Beta Eta Chapter, 1989 - 1991
• Parliamentarian

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE 2010-2017
• Board Member, 2015-2017
• Chair, Advocacy & Public Awareness
• Allegro Foundation Volunteer
• Membership Committee, Provisional Advisor
• Public Policy Institute

MECKLENBURG COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY
• State Executive Committee-2025-2026
• Delegate-2020 National Convention for Joe Biden
• Vice Chair, 12th Congressional District 2026
• Vice Chair, Democratic Women 2023-2024
• Member, Democratic Women
• African American Caucus

MECKLENBURG COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
• Chief Judge Precinct 1, 2007
Career Day Speaker
Nathaniel Alexander Elementary
Knowledge is Power
Study Abroad Day Speaker
Citizens School Volunteer

Habitat for Humanity

Harvard Civil Rights Project
Student Defense Project Board Member

Komen Race for the Cure (various years)

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Wills for Heroes

Please describe why you would be the best candidate for the open judicial position:

I am the nominee running unopposed in November and I have garnered broad support and confidence in my judicial and community leadership and qualifications. I previously served for over fourteen years as a Magistrate, District and Superior Court Judge and presided in every courtroom. I understand courtroom procedure, evidentiary standards, respect for litigants and most importantly, the need to make fair and impartial decisions that comply with the law. My judicial philosophy is and has always been, "Justice is not one size fits all".

My judicial leadership and service includes initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for youth, the mentally ill and other litigants who appear in court. I am uniquely prepared to begin serving our community in any courtroom assigned to provide for a seamless transition from the right HANDS, as a result of the retirement of Judge Ty Hands.