Charles Hands for Judge

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the Mecklenburg County Bar,

“At three years old, I felt the powerful effect family court has when my parents divorced. Child support helped my mom raise me in a decent home, but I lived with being socioeconomically disadvantaged every day. My sense of compassion was strengthened when seeing my mom—a certified nursing assistant—selflessly care for a man with down syndrome for years and open our home for foster children. My dad, a United States Marine, encouraged me to “Keep Pushing” as I continued to push through life’s challenges with an emphasis on education.

My early life experiences align with a large number of people who enter Mecklenburg County’s District Court system, making me the ideal candidate to serve their interests as a District Court Judge. The people deserve a proven public servant who is visible in the community and not “out of touch” with their common experience.

As an attorney, I’ve relentlessly served the people of Mecklenburg County through District Court, Superior Court, and Federal Court cases, Business and Personal Transactions, Pro Bono and Volunteer Opportunities, and active engagement with County, State, and Affinity Bar Associations.

I affirm that as a Mecklenburg County District Court Judge, my personal and professional experiences will be effectively and efficiently applied towards the ends of fairness with a commitment to providing equal access to justice for the people of Mecklenburg County.”

Put Justice in the Right Hands!

Education

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, cum laude

Honors: American Law Institute Scholarship and Leadership Award (merit based), NCCU Foundation Scholar (merit based), CITI Scholar (merit based)

Activities: Dean’s Ambassador Program (Founder & President), Law Review (Senior Editor), Assistant Professor (Contracts), Civil Litigation Clinic (Third-Year Rule Practitioner)

THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
Bachelor of Arts

Honors: Carolina Covenant Scholar

Activities: Communiversity Youth Programs (Lead Volunteer)

Activities & Affiliations

• John S. Leary Bar Association of Black Attorneys, President

• Mecklenburg County Bar Association: Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Ex Officio Member & Estate Planning & Probate Section, Member

• Charlotte Center City Partners 2040 Vision Plan: Steering Committee, Member

• For The Struggle, Inc.: Founding Board Member

• Foundation for the Carolinas, Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship Fund: Fundraiser

• UNC-Chapel Hill Carolina Covenant: Alumni Advisory Board, Member

• The National Trial Lawyers & The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40: Recipient Member

• Harvey B. Gantt Center: Millennial Advisory Board,

  Founder & Ex Officio Member

• M&F Bank: Millennial Advisory Board, Founder & Ex Officio Member

Bar Admissions

• North Carolina State Bar

• United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina

CHARLES W. HANDS III, born and raised in Wilmington, NC, focuses on helping families in Mecklenburg County enhance their lives today and secure their futures tomorrow as an Associate and Assistant Managing Attorney at Hands Law Firm.

In addition, after seeing first-hand the justice gap that exists for people in Mecklenburg County, Charles Hands created a civil litigation/trial practice at his firm. This has resulted in Charles handling cases—both bench and jury trials—in District Court, Superior Court, and Federal Court. His work gained the attention of The National Trial Lawyers organization, which named him a Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyer in North Carolina. Charles’ driving motivator was to handle cases for people facing issues of safety, financial security, and family stability as articulated by the Mecklenburg Access to Justice Campaign.

Due to growing up with disadvantaged youth, Charles Hands has been advocating for and mentoring at-risk juveniles and children since he left Wilmington for college. Charles became a Lead Volunteer for UNC-Chapel Hill’s Communiversity Youth Programs, helping to improve student performance through practical education and cultural exposure. Even before living in Mecklenburg County, Charles was inspiring low-income students to improve in school and close the achievement gap through Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ Project L.I.F.T Program. Charles has served as a fundraiser for the Charlotte Housing Authority Scholarship, provided by Foundation for the Carolinas, to financially help disadvantaged students living in public housing receive a well deserved education.

Charles Hands, after earning his bachelor’s from UNC-Chapel Hill, graduated in the top 10% of his law school class from NCCU School of Law. Charles gained significant experience working with Duke Energy’s legal department and as a clerk for the Honorable Wanda G. Bryant at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Charles was also the only NCCU student chosen to receive the Scholarship and Leadership Award from the American Law Institute, one of the most prestigious legal groups in the United States.

Charles Hands is an avid community servant for Mecklenburg County, as evident from his work with pillar community organizations such as (1) Charlotte Center City Partners (creating and implementing an inclusive plan for what Charlotte will look like in the year of 2040) and (2) For The Struggle, Inc. (providing essential legal and community resources to seniors, 62 and older). As a volunteer with the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s Wills for Heroes program, Charles provides essential legacy planning documents to North Carolina first responders.

When not lawyering or volunteering in the community, Charles enjoys spending quality time with his friends and family, attending church, and going back home to Wilmington to enjoy the beach.