Keith Bishop

District Court Judge

He works. He stays consistent. He protects due process. Keith Bishop brings preparation, sound judgment, and clear expectations, so every case is heard the right way, and every person is treated with respect.

I’m Keith Bishop a Durham attorney and candidate for District Court Judge.

A Durham Attorney Seeking To Serve

Keith Bishop is a Durham-based attorney and candidate for Durham County District Court Judge, 16th Judicial District, Seat 2. He has practiced law for over 33 years. He has represented clients in civil, criminal, and corporate matters across North Carolina.

Keith believes the court should run with clarity and consistency, even when cases involve high stakes and complex facts. People come to the court looking for help with their legal issues. They need a judge who listens, stays disciplined, and treats everyone with dignity.

Brooklyn Roots
Durham Home

Keith grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Erasmus Hall High School and the Academy of the Arts. He served as student government president. That early role taught him how to lead with both structure and care, even when people disagree.

He graduated in 1982 and earned the New York State Senate Achievement Award and the City of New York Leadership Award.

I stand for fair decisions based on the law and the facts, a process that stays consistent, and a courtroom where every person gets treated with respect.

Years Of Expierence

Count on a candidate who knows the court and the people.

One fair decision matters more than a hundred rushed ones.

I will conduct hearings with fairness and transparency, apply the law to the facts, and deliver decisions people can understand and trust. I will defend due process and respect every person who enters the courtroom.

Legal Training And Courtroom Preparation

A Law School Foundation In Durham

I moved to North Carolina in 1988 and committed to building my life in Durham. In 1989, I enrolled at North Carolina Central University School of Law because I wanted my legal training to be rooted in the community I planned to serve. I earned my Juris Doctor Degree in 1992. That same year, I passed the North Carolina Bar Exam and began practicing law.

Law school taught me to think with discipline. It taught me how to read the law closely, apply it to real facts, and explain decisions in a way people can understand. District Court moves quickly, but we should never prioritize expediency; it must never displace due process in favor of fairness. People deserve a court that stays focused, organized, and consistent.

Trial Advocacy And Deposition Skills

Early in my career, I invested in training that sharpened my approach to preparing cases. I earned a Trial Advocacy Diploma and a Deposition Skills Diploma through the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. That training strengthened the skills that matter in court every day—listening closely, testing credibility, and focusing on the evidence.

Trial training also teaches restraint. You learn to stay calm. You learn to separate emotion from proof. You learn to make decisions that hold up, even when pressure rises. You develop a balanced temperament.

Mediation Training And Conflict Management

I have also trained as a mediator. That work shaped how I view conflict. Many disputes start with fear, frustration, or misunderstanding. An impartial neutral helps people focus on the important issues that not only affect them but also matter to them.

As a District Court Judge candidate, I take preparation seriously because preparation protects rights. It helps people feel heard. It keeps hearings on track. It makes outcomes clearer. It also allows the court to function with respect, in an orderly and accountable manner, even when cases involve painful facts and high-stakes decisions.