Edward Thomas Brady
Encyclopedia
Edward Thomas Brady is an American
trial attorney and former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. He was elected in November 2002
as a Republican, defeating incumbent G. K. Butterfield
. His term expired in January 2011 and he did not seek re-election in 2010. He was the last serving North Carolina Supreme Court justice to be elected in a partisan race. All judicial races in North Carolina became non-partisan as the result of the Judicial Campaign Reform Act signed into law by Governor Mike Easley
on October 8, 2002.
in 1965 as a Private and was decorated for his service in the Vietnam War
. After serving on Active Duty, Brady served as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms with a post of duty in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Brady studied at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
, and received an undergraduate Degree in Criminal Justice. Subsequently, in 1977 he studied at the City University of New York
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
and was awarded a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice and earned his law degree from the California Western School of Law
, San Diego, California and was awarded the Dean's Award. Justice Brady is a member of the state bar of Georgia, the North Carolina state bar, and the District of Columbia bar.
as a Colonel (0-6), having held Military Police, Special Operations, Aviation Command and Staff assignments. In 1968, while on active duty, Justice Brady was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with Valor Device for heroism and 2nd-18th Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device for heroism and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star. In 1966, he graduated from Infantry Officer Candidate School and earned the Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Special Forces Tab, and was subsequently awarded the Senior Army Aviation Badge.
. He continued with the private Law firm of Brady and Brady until 2003, when he took office as an associate justice for the North Carolina Supreme Court. Since retiring from the Supreme Court of North Carolina, he has joined the Brady Law Firm. His area of practice is Criminal Defense.
. In 2002, the people of the "Old North State" elected Justice Brady to serve as an associate justice on their State's highest court.
, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
, the United States Army Court of Military Appeals for Armed Forces, and the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals.
. Justice Brady is also a member of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Board of Visitors (Wake Forest, NC). Justice Brady was nominated and elected to the Board of Directors of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
trial attorney and former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. He was elected in November 2002
North Carolina judicial elections, 2002
Several justices of the North Carolina Supreme Court and judges of the North Carolina Court of Appeals were elected to eight-year terms by North Carolina voters on November 5, 2002. Party primary elections were held on Sept. 10...
as a Republican, defeating incumbent G. K. Butterfield
G. K. Butterfield
George Kenneth Butterfield, Jr. is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2004. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is located in the northeastern corner of the state.-Early life and education:...
. His term expired in January 2011 and he did not seek re-election in 2010. He was the last serving North Carolina Supreme Court justice to be elected in a partisan race. All judicial races in North Carolina became non-partisan as the result of the Judicial Campaign Reform Act signed into law by Governor Mike Easley
Mike Easley
Michael Francis "Mike" Easley is an American politician who served as the 72nd Governor of the U.S. state of North Carolina, from 2001 to 2009. He is member of the North Carolina Democratic Party and became the first North Carolina governor to admit to a felony in a deal that halted a lengthy...
on October 8, 2002.
Judicial philosophy
According to the North Carolina Courts website, "Justice Brady’s judicial philosophy is, first of all, to uphold his oath of office and 'support, maintain, and defend the Constitution.' Justice Brady has a strong commitment to the rule of law, which means that no one person is above the law, and judges are no exception. He believes that the judiciary of North Carolina must remain independent and a separate co-ordinate equal branch of the government of the State of North Carolina, free from undue interference. Justice Brady understands the role of judges is to interpret the law and Constitution as written rather than rewrite the law based upon a judge’s own policy preferences and thereby thwart the express will of the people."Early life and education
Born in New York State, Brady enlisted in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1965 as a Private and was decorated for his service in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. After serving on Active Duty, Brady served as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms with a post of duty in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Brady studied at the University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a four-year state university located in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. Founded in 1908 as Omaha University, the institution became the public Municipal University of Omaha in 1931. It assumed its current name in 1968 following a merger into the University...
, and received an undergraduate Degree in Criminal Justice. Subsequently, in 1977 he studied at the City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
The John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a senior college of the City University of New York in Midtown Manhattan, New York City and is the only liberal arts college with a criminal justice and forensic focus in the United States. The college offers programs in Forensic Science and Forensic...
and was awarded a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice and earned his law degree from the California Western School of Law
California Western School of Law
California Western School of Law, founded in 1924, is a private, non-profit law school located in San Diego, California. It is popularly known as California Western or Cal Western and formerly California Western University. The school was approved by the American Bar Association in 1962 and became...
, San Diego, California and was awarded the Dean's Award. Justice Brady is a member of the state bar of Georgia, the North Carolina state bar, and the District of Columbia bar.
National service
Justice Brady enlisted in the United States Army in 1965 as a private during the Vietnam War and retired in 1993 from the United States Army ReserveUnited States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
as a Colonel (0-6), having held Military Police, Special Operations, Aviation Command and Staff assignments. In 1968, while on active duty, Justice Brady was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with Valor Device for heroism and 2nd-18th Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device for heroism and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star. In 1966, he graduated from Infantry Officer Candidate School and earned the Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Special Forces Tab, and was subsequently awarded the Senior Army Aviation Badge.
Legal experience
Upon graduating law school in 1978, Justice Brady began in private practice in Fayetteville, North CarolinaFayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city....
. He continued with the private Law firm of Brady and Brady until 2003, when he took office as an associate justice for the North Carolina Supreme Court. Since retiring from the Supreme Court of North Carolina, he has joined the Brady Law Firm. His area of practice is Criminal Defense.
Professional background
For two decades, Justice Brady's area of practice was litigation in both state and federal courts in Eastern North Carolina. As a citizen-soldier, Justice Brady represented members of the armed forces in both administrative matters and general court-martials under the Uniform Code of Military JusticeUniform Code of Military Justice
The Uniform Code of Military Justice , is the foundation of military law in the United States. It is was established by the United States Congress in accordance with the authority given by the United States Constitution in Article I, Section 8, which provides that "The Congress shall have Power . ....
. In 2002, the people of the "Old North State" elected Justice Brady to serve as an associate justice on their State's highest court.
Courts
He is additionally admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is a federal court located in Richmond, Virginia, with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:*District of Maryland*Eastern District of North Carolina...
, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit known informally as the D.C. Circuit, is the federal appellate court for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Appeals from the D.C. Circuit, as with all the U.S. Courts of Appeals, are heard on a...
, the United States Army Court of Military Appeals for Armed Forces, and the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals.
Religious convictions
Justice Brady is a Southern Baptist. He and his family are members of Village Baptist Church, Fayetteville, North Carolina, where Justice Brady also served as a member of the personnel committee. Justice Brady and his wife, Dianne, have been designated on a number of occasions to be messengers from Village Baptist Church to the North Carolina State Baptist Convention and the national Southern Baptist ConventionSouthern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
. Justice Brady is also a member of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention , created to meet a need in the SBC's East Coast region. It was voted into existence on May 19, 1950 at the SBC annual meeting and began offering classes in the fall of 1951 on the original campus of Wake...
Board of Visitors (Wake Forest, NC). Justice Brady was nominated and elected to the Board of Directors of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.