“Everything we care about—from fair elections to reproductive rights to quality public schools—runs through our appellate courts. As an attorney, I’ve defended your rights in state and federal appellate courts. As a judge, I’ll uphold your rights and apply the law fairly and faithfully—even if that means ruling against powerful politicians or special interests.”

Meet James Whalen

Originally from Charlotte, James is the oldest of three and a proud product of North Carolina’s public schools. His father served in the U.S. Army before teaching history at a local university. James’s mother reported for the Charlotte Observer, taught piano, and built community relationships for the Charlotte Symphony and UNC Charlotte. They taught him to value history, community, and family most of all.

James attended UNC Asheville, where he majored in both math and philosophy. He worked on President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign and served as UNC Asheville’s student body president. More importantly, James met Anna. They fell in love with “their mountains” as much as each other and, years later, returned to Asheville for their wedding.

After working in the N.C. General Assembly and managing winning political campaigns, James earned a full scholarship to UNC School of Law, where he graduated with distinction. While in law school, he protected consumers from scam artists, defended union workers from wrongful termination, and interned for U.S. Appeals Court Judge James Wynn, Jr.

After graduation, James worked for the Honorable U.S. District Court Judge Loretta Copeland Biggs in Winston-Salem, NC. There, he helped Judge Biggs preside over criminal cases and resolve major constitutional questions.

James then worked for Josh Stein’s Department of Justice handling high profile appeals. In one case, James fought gerrymandering all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. In another, he made sure that sexual abusers can be held accountable when they exploit and control women through revenge porn.

James is now in private practice in Raleigh, NC, where he focuses his work on appellate cases and democratic causes. James fought to stop legislative intrusion into former-Governor Roy Cooper’s to executive powers. In 2024, James led the largest attorney voter protection program in NC history. And in 2025, he stopped judges from throwing out more than 60,000 votes and ensured that Justice Riggs was rightly installed as a Supreme Court Justice.

In 2021, James and Anna became parents to their son Cab.

“I found my voice early on as a defender of fundamental rights and the rule of law. I’ve pursued that purpose as an attorney, defending our right to vote and have that vote count. Now, I am running to defend the constitution as a member of your Court of Appeals.”