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About Us

RICHARD "RAY" KERN THROUGH THE YEARS

Richard and his Brother, Joe and Sister, Erin
Richard after high school playing music
Richard being goofy
Richard and supporters
Richard and friends, including Charles Rice former judge
Richard arguing at the NC court of appeals
Richard and his mother
Richard and Wife, Dara
Richard playing music
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Richard and his mother
Richard's yearbook photo
Richard, Dara, and their dogs
Richard playing music
Richard and his father at his law school graduation
Richard shooting

1. MY BROTHER JOE AND I; 2. GREENHOUSE - MY BAND IN THE 1990s; 3. ME BEING A CLOWN FOR THE CAMERA; 4. THE AWESOME REPUBLICAN WOMEN WHO SUPPORT ME; 5. MYSELF, FORMER JUDGE CHARLES RICE, HIS SON - SETH, AND OTHERS AFTER A DAY OF HUNTING (I DON'T THINK WE ACTUALLY SHOT ANYTHING THAT DAY); 6. ORAL ARGUMENTS AT THE NORTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS; 7. MY MOTH ER AT A FUNDRAISING EVENT; 8. MY LOVELY WIFE DARA AND I; 9. PLAYING MUSIC AT THE SEAWITCH IN CAROLINA BEACH; 10. MOTHER-IN-LAW AND WRIGHT ANDERSON HELPING;11. MY MOTHER, BROTHER, AND ME; 12. HIGH SCHOOL ME WITH THE HAIR; 13. ME AND MY FAMILY; 14. PLAYING MUSIC IN THE 1990s; 15. LAW SCHOOL GRADUATION WITH DAD; 16. TARGET PRACTICE. 

More About Richard

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In 1985, at the age of ten, my family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. I graduated from Hoggard in 1993 and immediately began a career as a professional musician. I played throughout North Carolina and all along the eastern United States from Key West, Florida, to Jaynesville, Wisconsin. In Wilmington, I played at the old Mad Monk, the new Mad Monk, Jacob's Run, Orton's/Bessie's, everywhere and anywhere I could. At 18 years of age, I was driving a 40 foot tour bus, traveling this great country, playing in giant venues and tiny dive bars and everything in between. It was quite the education - a real world, grow up quick kinda education. A lot of people assume it was a lot of partying, but in reality my band had 8-10 guys on the road and there was driving, playing, load-in, load-out, bookkeeping, corporate taxes, equipment repair, and practice - all of which were more important than partying. It was a business.

 

In 1998, the band became untenable and I started working almost immediately for the film industry in Wilmington. First, as a utility and, by my second film, as a prop maker/carpenter and even as an extra in one or two movies. I worked in about 10 or so movies. Most pretty awful. In-between movies, I framed houses, usually on Bald head Island. My goal was to save money to go to college. Around 1999, Movies started going to Canada where the labor was cheaper, so I decided to bite the bullet and start college. I started at Cape Fear Community College and earned my A.A., then transferred to UNCW as a junior and earned my B.A., on the strength of my college grades and LSAT score, I went straight to law school earning my Juris Doctorate after three years. In my first summer in law School, I interned with Judge Tyson at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Judge Tyson taught me a lot and I am grateful to him for the practical education he provided. In my second summer, I interned with former district court judge Charles Rice who offered to employ me following graduation. I began working at Rice Law, PLLC, in 2008 and I am ever grateful to Charles for his support and belief in me - he was a tremendous mentor and since his passing, I reflect on his lessons frequently. 

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In 2012, I married Dara. I met Dara through a mutual friend. Dara is a southern girl born and raised in Fayetteville (Spring Lake actually). She always challenges me and our marriage is one of my greatest decisions. We live in Castle Hayne with our two dogs, a tractor, and a little spot of land. 

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I have been practicing law for over 15 years. My practice has been focused on Family law but I have also frequently practiced appellate law, zoning and land use law, entertainment law, and general civil litigation. I have even done a couple traffic tickets.

 

I have served on the New Hanover County Zoning Board of Adjustments, I am a Federalist Society member, I am a family financial mediator certified by the NC Dispute Resolutions Commission, and I still play music on the weekends. 

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I believe that my unique and diverse background, my legal experience, my local knowledge, and real-world experiences  provides me with a more practical and fair perspective to those who are going through life's challenges. I hope you will vote for me and allow me the opportunity to bring that perspective to the district court. 

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