Quality schools, the right to vote, workers’ rights—state courts matter! Wonderful to discuss critical issues state courts decide w/ my friend & former Court of Appeals colleague Judge Lucy Inman. Thanks @prochoicenc.bsky.social, @commoncausenc.bsky.social & @peoplesparity.bsky.social for having us!

Fourth of July family (and World Cup) week! (Not pictured: me cursing at television during US v. Belgium.)

We are fortunate to live in a great country and it’s up to us to keep the American Dream alive and well. Happy Fourth of July!

“We should have a Court that respects all constitutional rights.” In this final Lunch Break clip, I talk about why I am running for state Supreme Court in 2028. We have the chance to elect a Court that safeguards everyone’s rights—and I am committed to doing just that.

So much fun catching up with old friends this weekend at the @ncdp.org State Convention! And consider this your daily reminder that we have to re-elect my buddy and former colleague Toby Hampson to the Court of Appeals in November.

Great NC Advocates for Justice convention—including (but not limited to!) hearing from Justice @anitaearls.bsky.social, my law partner Brad Bannon honoring legal legend Joe Cheshire, and walking and running (!!) the Wilmington Riverwalk.

“These are tools to prevent what are awful situations from becoming worse.” In this Lunch Break segment, I talk about successfully arguing in the state Supreme Court that folks in same-sex dating relationships should have equal access to Domestic Violence Protective Orders.

I recently sat down with Lunch Break to discuss the state court system and why I am running for the Supreme Court in 2028. We started by talking about my bio—why my family moved to North Carolina, teaching Constitutional Law at Central Law, and my service on the Court of Appeals.

To all those who've been up celebrating the Canes – you’re officially excused from your duties this morning.

Thanks to Lunch Break for having me on to discuss my work as an appellate judge and civil rights attorney, the stakes in judicial elections & why I am running for the state Supreme Court in 2028. Oh, and I had a cheeseburger, cheesy tots & a chocolate milkshake (regrettably for you, on camera)!

“State courts are the last line of defense for our democracy.” — Justice @anitaearls.bsky.social. Getting back to courts that protect all of our constitutional rights starts with re-electing Justice Earls this year and then winning the three seats up on the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2028.

She is the savviest, funniest person in the room—I knew that a few weeks into starting Carolina Law with @friendsforbatch.bsky.social in 2002. Senator Sydney Batch remains as compelling as ever, laying out her vision for a North Carolina where everyone can succeed.

What amazing work Disability Rights NC does protecting the rights of North Carolinians w/ disabilities! Great talking w/ friends there about education litigation after recent Supreme Court Leandro V decision (as well as sharing apparently inordinate enthusiasm for their baked potato bar lunch).

Moira and I have family photos in our living room, including of my great-grandfather, George Eugene Glenn, who served in France in World War I. He came back home but too many did not. Thankful this Memorial Day for his service and for the service of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Wonderful traveling from Walnut Cove to Raleigh talking up our inspiring Democratic judges. It starts with electing Justice @anitaearls.bsky.social and Judges John Arrowood, Toby Hampson and Christine Walczyk in 2026. Then we get back to courts that protect all of our constitutional rights in 2028!

“We are the future lawyers of America!” - Marim Habib Istafanos, day program valedictorian. Joyous weekend celebrating students graduating from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Congrats to the Class of ‘26 Legal Eagles!

Teachers go above and beyond to shape the next generation. They show up for our students, and we have a responsibility to show up for them. Thank you to every teacher across North Carolina.

I was sworn in as a judge on the NC Court of Appeals seven years ago (!!), with Moira holding my great-grandmother’s Bible. So many great memories from that day, but I always chuckle at this photo of my nephew Elias and me picking out buses, trucks, and police cars at the reception afterwards.

Another weekend, another video on the North Carolina Supreme Court’s recent Leandro decision! This time I take a deep dive into the majority opinion throwing out the case—and how it imperils the right of every child to receive a sound, basic public education.

Q: Anything unusual about the NC Supreme Court throwing out its earlier ruling that the legislature had to step up and provide public school kids the resources that they need to thrive? A: Yep! Check out my most recent video explaining the Court’s decision in the Leandro case.

“We can get back to NC having courts that care about fair elections.” - former AG Holder. Great evening in Charlotte for @ncdp.org Judicial Caucus event with all our 2026 statewide candidates for the courts. Special bonus: dinner with family afterwards, including my nephew Jack. (We are related.)

Some of y’all are feeling some Easter deja vu. Hasn’t our Supreme Court already said the legislature wasn’t adequately funding public education? You aren’t making things up! My second #leandro video tackles the Court’s unprecedented decision to re-hear the case and give the legislature a do-over.

To everyone celebrating Easter, Michelle and I wish you a joyful holiday filled with reminders of the enduring power of faith and hope.

The #Leandro litigation fought for decades to ensure every NC student received a sound education. This week, the NC Supreme Court threw the case out. Check out my video explaining the decision, how it makes it harder for our kids to succeed & check back as I post follow-ups.

Today, the Court issued a ruling dismissing the Leandro school funding case, ending any possibility of relief for the plaintiffs. I dissented.

The story of Passover is as timeless as it is relevant – a story of resilience, of moving from bondage to freedom, from darkness to light. From our family to all those celebrating across North Carolina, we wish you a meaningful, joyous, and peaceful Passover.

#OnThisDay, March 18, 1963, the Supreme Court ruled in Gideon v. Wainwright that "Lawyers in criminal courts are necessities, not luxuries."

Happy International Women’s Day! As the youngest woman to ever serve on the NC Supreme Court (and only 10th woman ever), I honor the women who came before me and commit to ensuring there are many more after me. #persist #iwd2026

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Saturday morning work-out. ✅ Saturday morning vote. ✅ Let’s do this, y’all! Early vote today through 3pm or Election Day this Tuesday.

Wonderful discussion of fight to integrate our state for the annual North Carolina Supreme Court commemoration of #blackhistorymonth. Thanks to Justice @anitaearls.bsky.social and her chambers for bringing together event shining a light on this not so distant history.

Great to join legendary NC Central Law Professors Joyner and Dawson on the Legal Eagle Review to talk tariffs. 7 opinions (!!), 170 pages (!!)—you know we had some thoughts! Tune in to WNCU 90.7 Sunday at 7 or check us out on Apple Podcasts.

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It has been 718 days since the Supreme Court of NC heard argument in Leandro V—seeking to make real our state constitutional promise of a sound basic education. Wonderful to speak to @everychildnc.bsky.social about history of Leandro & fighting for every public schoolkid to have a chance to succeed.

On this day in 1960, Ezell Blair Jr., Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond, students at North Carolina A&T University, sat down at a segregated lunch counter at Woolworth Department Store in Greensboro and asked to be served. Though they were denied service, they refused to get up.

It’s cold, y’all!

The North Carolina State Capitol is lit yellow this evening in observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and as a symbol of our shared commitment to rooting out antisemitism and never forgetting this dark chapter in human history.

I had the honor in 2020 of speaking at the State Employees’ commemoration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. That included spending time w/ the keynote, Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Her words continue to ring true as we reflect on Dr. King’s work today: “We can still follow his dream.”

Off we go with the new semester of Constitutional Law at NC Central School of Law! I’m a nerd, so I love both the fall and spring. And/but this semester focuses on the Fourteenth Amendment and its guarantees of equal protection and due process—hard to imagine more timely topics for discussion!

Wonderful to join my friend (and soccer teammate) Jeff Smythe as he was sworn in as Secretary of the Department Safety on January 6. And moving to hear him talk about his daughters being third-generation Smythes in law enforcement.

Incredibly tough to hear that Justice @anitaearls.bsky.social has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but I am heartened by her positive prognosis. She has been my boss three times in my legal career, so I know she never backs down from a tough fight. Wishing her a swift and full recovery.

Bermuda!

Merry Christmas!

When I was running to keep my seat on the Court of Appeals in 2020, Governor Hunt was incredibly generous with his time and wisdom. And he had so many great stories from his lifetime of service! Rest in peace, Governor Hunt.

Fantastic early birthday treat to celebrate at the Governor’s holiday party. Least surprising moment of the evening? Woman exclaiming to Moira “what a WONDERFUL dress!” Happy holidays to us all!

A horrific anti-Semitic attack in Australia has shattered lives and stained the first night of Hanukkah. Anna and I are praying for the families in Sydney. And we are keeping the students of Brown University and their families in our hearts as they mourn. Hate and violence have no place anywhere.

Great to catch up with former colleagues—and get more material for my 2051 self-published novel—at the Court of Appeals holiday dinner. Happy holidays!!!

Governor Stein knocked it out of the park selecting Jeffrey Smythe as Secretary of Public Safety. Our state will prosper immensely from his experience and wisdom. And rumor has it he is quite a soccer player. Congrats, Jeff!

Happy Thanksgiving from the annual Wild Turkey Pickup Soccer Invitational to you and your families (soccer and otherwise)!