Ben Scales
for District Court Judge
Endorsed by:
Jennifer Pickering (LEAF Founder), Jen Hampton (Asheville Food & Beverage United), DeWayne Barton (Hood Huggers/Blue Note Junction), Rev. Amy Cantrell (BeLoved Asheville), Carol Peterson (Former Buncombe County Commissioner), Dewana Little (Asheville Greenworks), Andrew Fletcher (Musician/Economist), Melissa McKinney (Award-Winning Musician), Peggy Ratusz (Blues Chanteuse), Juan Holladay (Musician/Artist), Rebecca O'Quinn (Musician/Band Leader), Perry Parks (Vietnam Veteran/Advocate), Kate Fisher (Educator), Andrea Freeman (Pottery Artist), Missy Butler Reed (Master Life Coach), Nikki Herron (Community Leader), Paige Duft (Educator), Ken Jones (Retired Professor), Clare Hanrahan (Author/Activist), Frank Abrams (Attorney), Alan Graf (Attorney/Musician), Constance Lombardo (Artist), Justyn Thompson (FloatLife Fest/French Broad River Festival), Rachael Roberts Bliss (Author/Activist), and literally hundreds of others.
Decades of Legal Expertise and Integrity
Legal Experience
Over 35 years of trial and appellate work in state and federal courts, representing thousands of clients with dedication and meticulous attention to detail. Served as law clerk to two federal judges managing trials and assisting in the drafting of judicial opinions at trial and appellate level.
Education
- Georgia Tech: Bachelor of Industrial Engineering, 1986
- Cumberland School of Law: Juris Doctor, 1991 - Associate Editor of Cumberland Law Review
Ben Scales brings a deep understanding of our legal system, a steadfast commitment to the rule of law, and a long record of service to our community. His career is defined by a pursuit of fairness for all residents of Buncombe County.
Community Roots
- Member, Folk Heritage Committee
- Past President, Preservation Society of Asheville & Buncombe County
- Past President, Isaac Dickson PTO
- Past Precinct Chair 2.1
- Director, Montford Music & Arts Festival
- Co-Founder, Stop The Violence Coalition
- Big Brother, Big Brothers/Big Sisters
- Board Member, Asheville Holiday Parade
- Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
- Past Senior Warden, Grace Episcopal Church
- Youth Coach: Baseball, Basketball, Soccer
Domestic Violence
I've donated thousands of pro bono hours helping hundreds of survivors of domestic violence obtain court orders protecting them from their abusers and keeping guns out of the hands of the abusers.
Commitment to Pro Bono Service
I believe attorneys have a responsibility to improve access to justice for low-income individuals to bridge the justice gap for marginalized communities and contribute to the public good by addressing societal issues.
Business Law
I've helped dozens of economically disadvantaged and minority-owned small businesses with contract negotiation, partnership agreements, intellectual property protection, and business structure, aimed at preventing legal disputes and promoting sustainability.
Pro Bono Awards
- Inducted into North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society by the NC Supreme Court every year since 2014
- Nominated by the Buncombe Bar for North Carolina Bar Association's Pro Bono Award in 2017
Grounded in Family and Shared Values
Outside the courtroom
Ben and Cate have been married for 29 years and raised three children in Asheville. Aeron, their oldest, graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and Wake Forest Law School and serves as an Assistant District Attorney in Catawba County. Their middle child, Emeline graduated from UNC-Asheville in December and is a teacher at Isaac Dickson Elementary School, where she and her siblings attended, and where Ben built the playground and served as PTO President. Charlie, their youngest child, attends Warren Wilson College after spending a gap year studying and traveling in South and Central America, becoming fluent in Spanish, Quechua and several Mayan dialects.
VOTE BEN SCALES - DISTRICT COURT JUDGE • VOTE BEN SCALES - DISTRICT COURT JUDGE • VOTE BEN SCALES - DISTRICT COURT JUDGE • VOTE BEN SCALES - DISTRICT COURT JUDGE • VOTE BEN SCALES - DISTRICT COURT JUDGE •