Swearing in: Judge Will Bland
By Steve Herring
Published in News on January 4, 2017 7:48 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Superior Court Judge for District 8-B Will Bland receives congratulations from family, friends and community leaders after he was sworn in Tuesday in courtroom one of the Wayne County Courthouse. Bland was greeted with dozens of handshakes and hugs following the ceremony.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Bland's wife Ellen and son Jeff, stand with him in this photo taken at Tuesday's ceremony.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Will Bland is sworn in as District 8-B Superior Court Judge Tuesday afternoon in courtroom one at the Wayne County Courthouse by Judge Paul Jones. Bland's wife Ellen and two children Lucy and Jeff also participated in the ceremony.
With a little help from his wife and children, Will Bland Tuesday afternoon donned for the first time the black robe he will wear as Wayne County's new resident superior court judge.
Nearly 200 people filled the historic Courtroom No. 1 in the Wayne County Courthouse as Bland, 55, took the oath of office with his wife, Ellen, at his side and their and children, Jeff and Lucy, holding the Bible.
Retired Superior Court Judge Paul L. Jones of Kinston administered the oath. Jonathan S. Williams, senior deputy director of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts, introduced Bland to the court.
A reception followed in the Wayne County Courthouse.
Bland defeated District 8-B Superior Court Judge Arnold O. Jones II, of Pikeville, by an almost a two-to-one margin in the November election receiving 29,505 votes (63.77 percent) to 16,762 (36.23 percent) for Jones.
It is an eight-year term.
"The law, to me, is built upon situations where people have been called upon to make the right decision under difficult facts and circumstances," Bland said following his swearing in. "Sometimes, many times even, they have gotten it right. Sometimes, tragically not. This is a human system subject to our human limitations.
"So today I pray for wisdom and guidance and patience as I take on new responsibilities as resident superior court judge for Wayne County. As we say in Scouts, on my honor I will do my best to do my duty. I pledge to be fair and to apply the law without partiality. It is an honor to accept your trust and serve as superior court judge for this community, my home."
Bland said he felt blessed to have been able work for 25 years in and around the Wayne County Courthouse.
People visiting the historic courtroom should know there are many good people serving in the courthouse, he said.
That includes county commissioners, law enforcement officer, clerks, judges, lawyers and others -- all of whom are doing their best under often difficult facts and circumstance, Bland said.
"People's lives are affected here," he said. "I thank you. I thank every one of you here and many others throughout Wayne County and beyond. I am humbled every time I think of the kindness and generous support you have shown me."
Bland thanked the voters and all of the candidates who ran this past year.
"It is a great honor to have been asked by my friend Judge Will Bland to come and introduce him to the public and to introduce him to the court for him to take the oath of office on this tremendous occasion," Williams said. "I also want to say that Chief (Supreme Court) Justice Mark Martin sends his greetings and his best wishes to you, Judge Bland, and to you, Judge Jones, and everyone here for this important occasion.
"Members of the family, Ellen, Jeff, Lucy, you mean so much to Will as you know. You are the center of his life. It is wonderful for you to be here as well."
William said he has known Bland since 1988 when Bland, who had already received his undergraduate degree from Duke University, was visiting the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill law school.
"A friendship was struck up there that has continued for many years," he said. "He has had a breath of legal experience your honor that he brings to this task of serving as a superior court judge. He cares about his community deeply. He has given generously of his own time -- he has been president of the Rotary Club, he leads a Scout troop. You saw one of his Scouts today.
"And in so many other ways he volunteers his time, gives of his time to ensure the strength of this community and the development of this community."
Bland earned his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as a master's in accounting from the Kenan-Flagler Business School in Chapel Hill.
A former assistant district attorney who had been in private practice, Bland is a Goldsboro native and graduate of Wayne Country Day School. He served as assistant district attorney for the Eighth District from 1993 to 1999.
He is the son of the late attorney W. Powell Bland and Lillian Bland and the grandson of county Judge David H. Bland.
Bland is a member of the North Carolina State Bar and has been a partner in Bland, Heekin & Stanley, PLLC since 2003.
He previously worked at Baddour, Parker & Hine and as a CPA with Pittard Perry & Crone, Inc. (now Carr, Riggs & Ingram). He also was a business analyst for Progress Energy.
He is a past president of the Goldsboro Rotary Club and a member of the local Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee of Duke University.
Bland is past president, vice-president and secretary/treasurer of the Eighth Judicial District Bar and of the Wayne County Bar Association.
He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Goldsboro Jaycees and was selected one of Five Outstanding Young North Carolinians by the N.C. Jaycees, 1996.
Bland has worked with Wayne Community College, the American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity, Leadership Wayne County (regent) and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.