Attorneys vie for new position

Local attorney Peter Smith said handling of all types of law makes him a perfect fit for the role of a district court judge.

Smith has filed to seek election for a new district court seat created last year when the legislature split the 22nd Judicial District into two sections — 22A and 22B.

Alex Mendaloff also has filed to seek the new seat.

Like Mendaloff, Smith is a native of Iredell County and has been practicing law here for more than 20 years.

He is a graduate of Duke University and Pepperdine Law School.

Smith said he has practiced every type of law, from civil to criminal, and he said that variety of experience will help him in his role as a district court judge.

“The district court judge is the workhorse of the district court system,” he said. “A judge handles all civil matters, domestic violence, child custody ... and all criminal matters usually come through the district court system.”

Smith served on the Statesville City Council for seven years and said the two biggest projects completed during his terms were the design and completion of the Statesville Civic Center and the Statesville Park Soccer Complex on Simonton Road.

He said he’s anxious to get back into the political arena. “I’m looking forward to getting out there and shaking hands again,” he said.

Smith and his wife, Lucy, have two sons and a daughter.

An assistant district attorney in Iredell County has filed to seek a Superior Court seat in Davie County.

Paxton Butler, who has prosecuted a number of child sexual abuse cases in Iredell County, lives in Davie County, which is now part of the 22B Judicial District.

Butler filed to seek a Superior Court seat to serve Davie and Davidson counties, which now comprise the 22B district.

The 22A district comprises Iredell and Alexander counties.

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Posted on 02/21/08 at 01:14 PM
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