Press release from Johanna for Clerk campaign:
Johanna Finkelstein announces her bid for Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court for the unexpired term of now retired Clerk Steve Cogburn.
Johanna is a local attorney, living in Buncombe County since 1989. She graduated from Boston University and earned her law degree from NC Central University School Of Law in 1994. She currently practices law at Sneed and Stearns in Black Mountain. Before that Johanna served as Chief Hearing Officer for the Clerk of Superior Court from 2013-2023. Prior to her service in the Clerk’s office, Johanna was in private practice appearing in cases in Buncombe and other WNC counties.
A North Carolina Clerk of Superior Court has four areas of responsibility:
•serving as probate judge hearing foreclosures, adoptions, name changes, guardianships and divorces
•record keeping and clerical duties for both District and Superior Court
•processing fines, fees and costs
•administration of the Clerk’s officeJohanna’s community involvement includes work with the Family Visitation Center, the Elder Justice Coalition, Family Drug Treatment Court and the Buncombe County Bar Association.
“The Clerk’s office is often the first point of contact with the court system.
No one should leave the the courthouse feeling that they were not heard
or that the system is stacked against them. Under my leadership the Clerk’s
office will treat everyone with respect, equity and integrity.” said Finkelstein.
For the claim of being fair, on my sons Guardianship cases. She did not let my husband speak at all even though the accusations were on him. Our sons was removed from our care three yrs ago. That lies Judge Patricia Coughman had already dealt with yrs ago and apologized to my family for. And DSS has done nothing but tell lies on my family since then. Johanna Finklestein was my husbands lawyer when he was going for Al custody of his daughter. She even told one of my sons lawyers, she should take the case but she is going to anyway. Our witnesses that was subpoenaed to be there wasn’t even allowed to speak. I was representing myself and was told I was not aloud to ask any questions, I was just there to answer them. That went against my civil rights. If you are being accused you have the right to defend yourself.
This has brought heartache to my other children, and caused mental cruelty at also my sons for being removed and controlled by the Guardian and their care takers.