Glenn Gerding's Bio

Glenn Gerding for Orange/Chatham District Court Judge

I grew up in Wingate, North Carolina, a small town southeast of Charlotte. I came to Chapel Hill in 1989 to attend the University of North Carolina. I majored in political science and played French horn in the University's marching and pep bands. I graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UNC in 1993. I studied law at Campbell University where I served as an editor for the Campbell Law Review, as the Honor Court Chief Justice, and as a member of the Law Students Civil Rights Research Council. I graduated in 1996 cum laude.

After graduating from Campbell, I served as an Officer in the United States Navy's Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG Corps) for six years. I was stationed in Norfolk, VA, and Washington, DC, and helped Sailors and Marines at trial and on appeal. While stationed in Washington, I earned an advanced law degree, an LL.M., in Litigation and Dispute Resolution from The George Washington University School of Law. In the Navy I found that I could use my talents and abilities to help people. I also found my calling as a public servant.

Glenn Gerding

When I left active duty in 2002, I accepted Orange and Chatham County Public Defender James E. Williams' offer to serve on his staff as an Assistant Public Defender starting in January 2003. I represented hundreds of clients in Orange County District and Superior Courts and gained valuable experience. I represented numerous clients in our District's nationally-recognized specialty courts that focus on mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence. I earned the respect of our judges, court clerks, DA's, and law enforcement, and my clients for my character and integrity and my tireless pursuit of justice.

After two and a half years I entered private practice and opened my own general practice law firm. I expanded my practice to include all of Chatham County while continuing to represent clients in Orange County. I continue to represent indigent citizens by having my name on the list of attorneys who accept court-appointed clients.

I continue to serve our country as a reserve JAG Corps Officer and currently hold the rank of Lieutenant Commander. For five years I spent two days each month at the Navy Reserve Center in Raleigh helping individual Sailors and Marines with civil matters ranging from landlord tenant disputes, separation and divorce, child custody and adoption, to immigration and employment law issues. I currently travel to Norfolk, VA, each month to serve as a criminal prosecutor.

I volunteer in our community by serving as Vice Chair of the Human Services Advisory Board for the Town of Chapel Hill and have been a member of the Board since 2003. I'm also a member of the First Offenders Advisory Board, which works to curb teenage alcohol use. I'm President of the Dan Pollitt Criminal Defense Bar for our Judicial District. I'm co-President of my neighborhood homeowner's association. And I served as the Democratic Party Westwood Precinct Secretary from 2005-06.

Glenn Gerding Family

My wife Alethea, son Graham, and I live in Chapel Hill. We attend University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill. When I have spare time, I enjoy running, gardening, and reading books about Naval history.

Alethea is the managing editor of the Journal of Prosthodontics at the UNC Dental School. She is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served aboard an aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington, and a guided missile cruiser, the USS Vella Gulf. Alethea was one of the nation's first women to serve onboard a combatant ship when the Navy began integrating women in the mid-1990's. She also served at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington, DC. Alethea is an avid baseball fan and her fantasy baseball team routinely places near the top of her league.

My son Graham is the best thing that ever happened in my life. He is seventeen months old and is a true joy. Graham is a curious, smart, and funny little boy. He is charming and full of personality. I could not be more blessed than to have him as my son. Although his interests change daily, he currently likes tractors, hats, and clocks.

Glenn Gerding is a member of the United States Navy Reserve. Use of his military rank, job title, and photograph in uniform does not imply endorsement by the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defense.

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