BRENDA BRANCH 109 BOOTH STREET ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC 27870
252-537-0199
e-mail – bbranch3223@gmail.com
EDUCATION
UNC School of Government, Chapel Hill, NC.:
Completed a Supreme Court Seminar in Washington, DC. March 1-4, 2020.
Andy Little North Carolina Mediation Program, Raleigh, NC.: (October 22 – 26, 2019) Trained to Mediate Equitable Distribution, and other Financial Matters in Family Court.
Center for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC: (November 2009 – April 2011)
Leadership Fellow: Selected as a fellow in the Ladder to Leadership Program; A national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in collaboration with the Center for Creative Leadership.
North Carolina Central University School of Law, Durham NC: (1997 – 2001) Juris Doctor (Attended evening program while working full time)
Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program, Weldon, NC: (1995 – 1996) Local Chamber sponsored program to develop future community leaders.
East Carolina University Graduate School, Greenville, NC: (1995 - 1996) Earned credits for M. P. A. Public Administration. (Attended evening program while working full time) North Carolina Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount, NC: (1989 - 1994) B. A. Justice and Public Policy. (Attended evening program while working full time)
Halifax Community College, Weldon, NC: (1979 - 1984) Certificate of Apprenticeship. “A”
Class Maintenance Mechanic. (Attended evening program while working full time) ACADEMIC HONORS
Student of the Year: 1999-2000, North Carolina Central School of Law, Evening Program.
Deans List: 1993, North Carolina Wesleyan College.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Chief District Court Judge: January 2015 – present, Judicial District 6, Appointed by Chief Justice Mark Martin, Supreme Court of North Carolina. Unopposed after merger in 2016 and 2020 election. Organized, initiated and managed the following;
A. Successful District Court merger of Northampton, Hertford, and Bertie Counties with Halifax County.
B. Initiated funding for Teen Court in all Counties.
C. Lead the successful implementation of a School Justice Partnership in all 4 Counties D. Implemented the Family Court Model for all 4 counties (One Judge, One family) E. Currently working on Domestic Violence Program for all 4 counties.
F. Implemented remote/ video arraignment/ hearings in all 4 counties.
G. Implemented CLE for The Local Bar Association H. Co-Sponsored Expungement Clinics for local citizens.
Chief District Court Judge: August 1, 2008 – 2014, Judicial District 6-A, Halifax County.
Appointed by Chief Justice Sarah Parker, Supreme Court of North Carolina. Implemented Teen Court, CLE classes for Local Bar Association, Expanded Truancy Court,
Implemented a Legal internship, Supervised Magistrates and Family Court staff and Implemented court house safety initiatives such as video arraignment for inmates in the local jail, unopposed before merger in 2008 and 2012 election.
District Court Judge: January 23, 2007 – August 1, 2008 District 6-A, Governor Appointed.
Assistant District Attorney: July 2005 – January 2007, Judicial District 6-B District
Attorney’s Office. Bertie, Hertford, and Northampton Counties. Evaluated cases for trials or plea. Prosecuted in Juvenile Court, Traffic Court, Misdemeanor District Court and Felony Superior Court.
Assistant District Attorney: September 2001- July 2005, Judicial District 6-A District Attorney’s Office. Halifax County. Evaluated cases for trials or plea. Prosecuted in Juvenile Court, Traffic Court, Misdemeanor District Court and Felony Superior Court.
Legal Intern: October 2000 – February 2001, Halifax County Department of Social
Services. Assisted the staff attorney in preparing court orders. Attended and participated in case intake and court sessions.
“A” Class Maintenance Mechanic: (1979 - 2000) Champion International Paper Company.
Rebuilt, replaced, and maintained pumps and cylinders. Operated a pump shop and maintained related documents. Facilitated and participated in company sponsored community programs and projects including Parent to Parent and Smart Start family programs and Diversity programs (First African American Female to enter Maintenance Apprenticeship Program). Served as Shop Steward for the local union. Attended 40 hour Labor Law course.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND TRAINING
Legal Research Methods: (1998-2001) Excelled in preparing legal briefs, memorandums of client profiles and identification of legal issues.
Appellate Advocacy: (2000-2001) Excelled in preparing briefs and arguing opinions before Associate Justice Robert F. Orr of the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Parent to Parent Facilitator: (1999-2001) Facilitate and participate in discussion workshops to help families communicate effectively about drug abuse, education and family
responsibilities.
Diversity Education Awareness Facilitator: (1997-1999) Facilitated and participated in discussion workshops, with emphasis on the importance of embracing the differences in people and promoting increased workplace harmony and productivity.
Motivational Speaker: (2001-present) Motivational speaker for schools, colleges, churches, and local and statewide community organizations.
Situation Leadership Facilitator: (1997-1999) Facilitated and participated in workshops designed to enhance the leader’s ability to manage adverse situations and/or adverse employees in a professional and respectful manner.
(2008-2020) Special Topic Seminars on Leadership in Trial Courts
(2008, 2020) Leadership seminars for Chief District Court Judges as Supervisors
CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Voted Best Elected Official Halifax County by Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald Readers, 2019 Voted Third Best Elected Official by Roanoke Rapid Daily Herald Readers, 2014
Selected Woman Extraordinaire North Carolina Business Leaders, 2014 Member North Carolina State Bar.
Life Member NAACP.
Member North Carolina Wesleyan College Alumni Champions.
Past President, current member Roanoke Valley Rotary, Selected Roanoke Valley Woman 2011.
Selected Roanoke Valley Chamber Woman of the Year, 2015
(June 2010) Selected as one of twelve Citizen Lawyers by the North Carolina Bar Association
(June 2011 - 2012) served on North Carolina Board of Governors.
(June 25, 2011- June 23, 2012) Vice President North Carolina Bar Association.
(January 2010 – 2012) Appointed to the Chief Justice’s commission on professionalism.
(February 2010 – 2012) Advisory Committee, North Carolina State Judge’s Bench Book on Domestic Violence and Family Court Advisory Committee
(February 2009) Selected as an Honoree by the WRAL TV Living the Legacy news feature (2008 – 2013) Board Member, North Carolina Action for Children.
2006-2012) Member, Lawyer Effectiveness and Quality of Life Committee appointed by the North Carolina State Bar Association.
Family: Married to George Branch Jr., Graduate Devry Institute of Technology, Deacon, Roanoke Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Children; Alisa Branch, Mental Health Therapist, B. S. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, M.S., North Carolina A& T State University. Marquette Branch; Analyst with FIS, Research Triangle Park, Raleigh NC. , B.S. North Carolina State University, MBA North Central University.
Church: Active Member: Roanoke Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Jackson, NC 27845 Youth Advisor, Active Sunday school Member, Church Prayer Team.
Community: Participate in Habitat for Humanities, Mentor young people, served as
keynote speaker for several local NAACP annual dinners, Indiana State women in NAACP luncheon, local Chamber of Commerce honoring local African Americans in the legal profession, local church black history and law enforcement programs and local school youth motivation programs.