Got a minute? Kimberly Justice

You became Clerk of Superior Court in 2006 after practicing law for 17 years. What exactly does the Clerk of Superior Court do?

It’s varied. There are certain clerical aspects to the job. The clerk sets bonds for first appearances (of people arrested and charged with a crime), if there is not a district court judge available. The clerk is responsible for keeping all the records for superior and district court. That’s why it’s, in my opinion, a misleading title because we do much more than that. The clerk handles probates, petition actions, mental competency hearings, meaning if the person can’t take care of their own affairs, we appoint a guardian for them. This office handles foreclosures and enters section judgments in certain civil cases. We are the primary jurisdiction for probate and we are in charge of money distribution for minors in cases where they are awarded a settlement, we would hold the money for them until they turn 18. The job is a combination of administrative and judicial tasks so it’s a good mix.

Was this a job you had ever considered before?

I had people come to me and they said that due to the probate nature of the job, there was a belief that a lawyer should do the job.

You also provide legal services to military personnel as a JAG officer. Tell me about that.

I have been a JAG officer for 16 years, which is basically an Army lawyer. I served six months at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. I would help soldiers get their affairs in order, such as wills, family estates, planning. It’s a very satisfying job. I am in the middle of a year-long course in intermediate leadership education, which is a master’s degree. I am hoping to make lieutenant colonel in a couple of years.

You practiced law with your husband, Ron, for a few years. What was that like?

He was a police officer with the city of Hendersonville before he became a lawyer. We don’t have strong diametrically opposed viewpoints, but we do have very different understandings about what goes on the street. It’s just great that we happened to find one another. We have an interesting life.

How did you and your husband meet?

[Laughs] When he was still a police officer, he was in court the day I got sworn in as a lawyer. He told a friend he was going to marry me and he didn’t even know me. About a year later, he finally asked me out and as they say, the rest is history.

What kinds of activities do you participate in during the apparently little spare time that you have?

My family and I are involved with our church, Mills River Methodist. Our family is very outdoorsy. Both of my children are in Scouts, so they do a lot of outdoor things. We all like to go hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and I also enjoy doing outdoor photography. There’s pictures all over our house of places we’ve gone to, a lot of black and white stuff.

You seem to subscribe to the belief that if you keep your kids busy, they are less likely to get into trouble.

Yes, I definitely believe that. Ron and I have brought them to court before so they can see what happens. We’re committed to making sure to have enough to do to keep them active in a positive way. I feel like I’m a taxi sometimes, but you know there’s no substitute for music, Scouts, sports.

You are Henderson County’s first female clerk of superior court. From what you’ve observed, how have women fared in the legal profession over the years?

I’ve seen a tremendous change since I’ve been practicing law. There were not many female attorneys when I first became a lawyer, but there are now about 20 women who are lawyers here, about one-third of the county’s lawyers. It’s been a very interesting transition. Women are much more accepted now. I have to take my hat off to the local bar. They have been very receptive to us and I actually appreciate it.