Q: Where were you born, and did you grow up in Iran or America?
A: I was born in Tehran, but I grew up in North Carolina. My family moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina when I was fifteen months old. I grew up in Winston-Salem, and I lived there until I attended college at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

American Dream Come True: Interview with Judge Hamadani, Reelected in Midterms

Judge Hamadani was born in Iran but immigrated to NC at fifteen months old. She attended UNC-Chapel Hill for both undergrad and law school. Judge Hamadani committed her life to public service at a young age. She worked as a Legislative Correspondent for then-Senator Joe Biden in D.C.

Sam Hamadani Profile | Iranian American Women Foundation

Name	

Sam Hamadani


City	Raleigh
State	North Carolina
Would you like to join our volunteer database?	
Biography	

Judge Hamadani was born in Iran but immigrated to NC at fifteen months old.

Sam Hamadani was born in Tehran and grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for undergraduate studies and law school. Her profile lists Raleigh as her city.

American Dream Come True: Interview with Judge Hamadani, Reelected in Midterms - KAYHAN LIFE

Article

Q: Where were you born, and did you grow up in Iran or America?
A: I was born in Tehran, but I grew up in North Carolina. My family moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina when I was fifteen months old. I grew up in Winston-Salem, and I lived there until I attended college at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. After graduating from college, I moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for then-Senator Joe Biden before returning to Chapel Hill to attend the University of North Carolina School of Law.

She also served as the President of the Domestic Violence Action Project. After law school, Judge Hamadani worked as a Public Defender for many years. In June 2017, Governor Cooper appointed Judge Hamadani to serve as a District Court Judge.

Sam previously worked for then-Senator Joe Biden and as a public defender.

After law school, Judge Hamadani worked as a Public Defender for many years. In June 2017, Governor Cooper appointed Judge Hamadani to serve as a District Court Judge. She is one of four Family Court Judges in Wake County. Judge Hamadani is the first Persian American judge in NC and quite possibly the Southeast.

| Office  | Name  | Party  | Date assumed office
--- | --- | --- | ---
…
North Carolina District Court District 10E Seat 1 | Sam Hamadani | Democratic | 2017
North Carolina District Court District 10E Seat 2 | Louis B. Meyer | Democratic | 2012
North Carolina District Court District 10E Seat 3 | Crystal Grimes | Democratic | January 1, 2025
…

North Carolina District Court 10 - Ballotpedia

Sam was appointed as a District Court judge in June 2017. She is listed as having assumed office as the North Carolina District Court judge for District 10E, Seat 1, in 2017.

Sam is currently the District Court Judge in 10E, and was first appointed in 2017.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Worked for many years as a public defender.

As a public defender, she provided legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who were unable to hire an attorney.

Was appointed to serve as a district court judge in 2017.

As a state district court judge, she oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- As a public defender, she provided legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who were unable to hire an attorney.
- As a state district court judge, she oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Legal Experience

As of January 5, 2026, Sam Hamadani did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Q: What do you think are the qualities required for someone to be a good judge? And what are your own aspirations and objectives in this position?

A: Intelligence, fairness, and impartiality are the baseline qualities that judges must possess. I could spend a great deal of time discussing why those qualities are important. Instead, I will focus on a less obvious quality that I believe is critical for a judge to possess: temperament. Judicial temperament consists of being able to remain calm in high stress situations, and also of treating everyone with patience and respect.

I do my best to recognize the emotionally charged nature of each proceeding. Our court dockets are jam packed with cases. As a judge, it can be easy to lose sight of maintaining the necessary judicial temperament in the face of the ever-growing need for judicial efficiency. I aspire to always calmly and rationally consider my rulings and to treat every person who appears before me with the respect and patience that they deserve.

Believes judges must demonstrate intelligence, fairness, impartiality, and temperament by remaining calm and treating everyone with patience and respect.

Aspires to consider rulings calmly and rationally and to treat everyone appearing in court with respect and patience despite crowded dockets.

Aspires to consider rulings calmly and rationally and to treat everyone appearing in court with respect and patience.

- Believes judges must demonstrate intelligence, fairness, impartiality, and temperament by remaining calm and treating everyone with patience and respect.
- Aspires to consider rulings calmly and rationally and to treat everyone appearing in court with respect and patience.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

In law school, she served as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing abused and neglected children. She also served as the President of the Domestic Violence Action Project. After law school, Judge Hamadani worked as a Public Defender for many years.

Served as a Guardian Ad Litem representing abused and neglected children while in law school.

She worked as a Legislative Correspondent for then-Senator Joe Biden in D.C. In law school, she served as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing abused and neglected children. She also served as the President of the Domestic Violence Action Project.

Served as president of the Domestic Violence Action Project.

- Served as president of the Domestic Violence Action Project.

Community Involvement

Sam Hamadani

As of January 5, 2026, Ms. Sam Hamadani’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ms. Sam Hamadani

Judge Hamadani was born in Iran but immigrated to NC at fifteen months old. She attended UNC-Chapel Hill for both undergrad and law school. Judge Hamadani committed her life to public service at a young age. She worked as a Legislative Correspondent for then-Senator Joe Biden in D.C. In law school, she served as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing abused and neglected children. She also served as the President of the Domestic Violence Action Project. After law school, Judge Hamadani worked as a Public Defender for many years.

Profile – Sam Hamadani – Iranian American Women Foundation

Sam Hamadani was born in Tehran and grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for undergraduate studies and law school.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law, Hamadani went on to work in Senator Joe Biden’s office, the North Carolina Department of Justice and as a Public Defender.

Sam Hamadani previously worked in Senator Joe Biden’s office, at the North Carolina Department of Justice and as a public defender.

Judge Hamadani was born in Iran but immigrated to NC at fifteen months old. She attended UNC-Chapel Hill for both undergrad and law school. Judge Hamadani committed her life to public service at a young age. She worked as a Legislative Correspondent for then-Senator Joe Biden in D.C. In law school, she served as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing abused and neglected children. She also served as the President of the Domestic Violence Action Project. After law school, Judge Hamadani worked as a Public Defender for many years. In June 2017, Governor Cooper appointed Judge Hamadani to serve as a District Court Judge. She is one of four Family Court Judges in Wake County.

Sam Hamadani is a Wake County District Court Judge who was re-elected to her post in the November midterm elections. She received the highest number of votes in a Wake County Bar election deciding who should serve as a District Court Judge.

Sam serves as a Wake County District Court judge. She was appointed to the court in June 2017 and was later reelected.

Worked as a public defender for many years.

Aspires to make rulings calmly and rationally while treating people appearing before the court with respect and patience amid crowded dockets.

Believes judges must demonstrate fairness, impartiality, and a calm temperament that treats everyone with patience and respect.

Served as a representative for abused and neglected children while in law school.

Served as president of the Domestic Violence Action Project while in law school.

Biography	


Judge Hamadani was born in Iran but immigrated to NC at fifteen months old. She attended UNC-Chapel Hill for both undergrad and law school. Judge Hamadani committed her life to public service at a young age. She worked as a Legislative Correspondent for then-Senator Joe Biden in D.C. In law school, she served as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing abused and neglected children. She also served as the President of the Domestic Violence Action Project. After law school, Judge Hamadani worked as a Public Defender for many years. In June 2017, Governor Cooper appointed Judge Hamadani to serve as a District Court Judge. She is one of four Family Court Judges in Wake County. Judge Hamadani is the first Persian American judge in NC and quite possibly the Southeast. Although she was recently appointed to the bench, she has to run in an election in November to keep her seat.

Sam Hamadani Profile

Base
Name	

Sam Hamadani


City	Raleigh
State	North Carolina
Would you like to join our volunteer database?	

Sam Hamadani was born in Tehran and grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for undergraduate studies and law school. She is listed in Raleigh.

Sam Hamadani is a Wake County District Court Judge who was re-elected to her post in the November midterm elections. She received the highest number of votes in a Wake County Bar election deciding who should serve as a District Court Judge.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law, Hamadani went on to work in Senator Joe Biden’s office, the North Carolina Department of Justice and as a Public Defender.

Sam Hamadani previously worked as a legislative correspondent for then-Senator Joe Biden and as a public defender. She also worked at the North Carolina Department of Justice.

American Dream Come True: Interview with Judge Hamadani, Reelected in Midterms

Sam Hamadani is a Wake County District Court Judge who was re-elected to her post in the November midterm elections.

Office Holder/Candidate Profile
Sam Hamadani
Currently holds the office of North Carolina District Court Judge - District 10E, Seat 1 until December 31, 2026.
Candidate for North Carolina District Court Judge - District 10E, Seat 1 in 2026 North Carolina General Election.

Sam Hamadani | BallotReady

Sam currently serves as a North Carolina District Court judge for District 10E, Seat 1. She was appointed to the court in June 2017 and was reelected in a November midterm election.

As a public defender, provided legal counsel and representation to people who could not afford an attorney.

Was appointed a District Court judge in June 2017 and served as one of four Family Court judges in Wake County.

As a judge, aspires to consider rulings calmly and rationally and to treat court participants with respect and patience amid crowded dockets.

Believes judges must demonstrate intelligence, fairness, impartiality, and temperament and must treat everyone calmly, patiently, and respectfully.

Served as a guardian ad litem representing abused and neglected children while in law school.

Q: Where were you born, and did you grow up in Iran or America?

A: I was born in Tehran, but I grew up in North Carolina. My family moved to Winston- Salem, North Carolina when I was fifteen months old. I grew up in Winston-Salem, and I lived there until I attended college at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Biography
Judge Hamadani was born in Iran but immigrated to NC at fifteen months old. She attended UNC-Chapel Hill for both undergrad and law school. Judge Hamadani committed her life to public service at a young age. She worked as a Legislative Correspondent for then-Senator Joe Biden in D.C. In law school, she served as a Guardian Ad Litem, representing abused and neglected children. She also served as the President of the Domestic Violence Action Project.

Profile – Sam Hamadani – IRANIAN AMERICAN WOMEN FOUNDATION

Sam Hamadani was born in Tehran and grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate studies and law school.

Sam Hamadani is a Wake County District Court Judge who was re-elected to her post in the November midterm elections. A graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law, Hamadani went on to work in Senator Joe Biden’s office, the North Carolina Department of Justice and as a Public Defender.

Sam previously worked in Senator Joe Biden’s office, at the North Carolina Department of Justice, and as a public defender.

Biography
After law school, Judge Hamadani worked as a Public Defender for many years. In June 2017, Governor Cooper appointed Judge Hamadani to serve as a District Court Judge. She is one of four Family Court Judges in Wake County. Judge Hamadani is the first Persian American judge in NC and quite possibly the Southeast. Although she was recently appointed to the bench, she has to run in an election in November to keep her seat.

Sam was appointed to serve as a District Court Judge in June 2017.

Worked at the North Carolina Department of Justice.

Serves as a Wake County Family Court judge.

Believes judges must possess intelligence, fairness, and impartiality.

As a judge, aspires to consider rulings calmly and rationally and to treat court participants with respect and patience.

Served as a guardian ad litem representing abused and neglected children.

Sam is currently a judge on the North Carolina District Court, District 10E. She was first elected in 2017.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 

Judge who handles majority of trial level cases.