PROFILE DETAILS
FULL NAME: Jennifer Wells
REAL NAME: Jennifer Wells (often referred to as Jenny Wells)
AGE: Approximately 41–42 years old (based on 2006 graduation)
Gender: Female
weight: Information not publicly available
Height: Information not publicly available
Birthdate: Information not publicly available (Estimated early 1980s)
Birthplace: Elizabeth City, North Carolina, USA
NET WORTH: $1 million – $2 million (Estimated based on career trajectory and judicial salary)
Salary: $162,000+ per year (Current judicial salary as of 2025/2026)
MAIN INCOME SOURCE: Legal and Judicial Profession
Profession: District Court Judge (First Judicial District, NC)
RELIGION: Information not publicly available
FAMILY: Information not publicly available
PARENTS: Information not publicly available
SPOUSE: Information not publicly available
CHILDREN: Information not publicly available
CAREER: Assistant Public Defender (2014–2025), District Court Judge (2025–Present)
Nationality: American
What is Jennifer Wells Net Worth and salary?
As of early 2026, Jennifer Wells’ net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $2 million. This valuation is primarily derived from her long-standing career in the North Carolina legal system and her recent elevation to the bench.
In March 2025, Wells was appointed by Governor Josh Stein to the District Court for the First Judicial District. Her annual salary in this role is approximately $162,000, a standard rate for District Court judges in North Carolina. Prior to her appointment, she served for 11 years as an Assistant Public Defender, where she earned a steady government salary. Her wealth is further bolstered by her professional standing and potential private assets, though specific investment details remain private.
Early Life
Jennifer Wells was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and raised in Kitty Hawk. She attended Tulane University, where she graduated in 2006 with a B.A. in Classics and Spanish. Her undergraduate years were marked by the disruption of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, during which she briefly attended Duke University before returning to Tulane to complete her degree. She later earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Campbell University School of Law in 2012. During law school, she served as a research assistant and interned with the North Carolina Department of Justice and the state Supreme Court.
Awards
- First Judicial District Bar Recommendation (2024): Led the balloting with 40 votes from peers to succeed retiring Judge Edgar Barnes.
- Judicial Appointment (2025): Appointed by Governor Josh Stein to the District Court bench.
- Community Service Recognition: Recognized for over a decade of service representing indigent clients in the First Judicial District.
Personal Life and Relationships
Jennifer Wells maintains a high level of privacy regarding her personal life. She is known to have deep roots in the Outer Banks community of North Carolina. While her professional life as a judge and former public defender is well-documented, details regarding her spouse, children, or extended family are not publicly disclosed to maintain judicial impartiality and personal security.
Real Estate
Information regarding specific property holdings for Jennifer Wells is not publicly available. However, she is a long-term resident of the First Judicial District (serving Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans counties), where she maintains her primary residence.
Net Worth History
- 2014–2024: Steady growth through public service as an Assistant Public Defender.
- 2025: Significant increase in earning potential following appointment to the District Court bench.
- 2026: Estimated net worth reaches the $1M+ milestone as she enters her first major election cycle for a full judicial term.
BIOGRAPHY
Executive Summary
Jennifer Wells is a prominent American jurist currently serving as a District Court Judge for North Carolina’s First Judicial District. Appointed in March 2025 by Governor Josh Stein, Wells has quickly become a central figure in the state’s 2026 judicial election cycle. Her career is defined by a steadfast commitment to the principle of “justice for all,” a philosophy honed during her eleven-year tenure as an Assistant Public Defender.
Born and raised in the coastal regions of North Carolina, Wells’ path to the bench was shaped by both academic excellence and resilience. After navigating the challenges of the Hurricane Katrina era during her time at Tulane University, she returned to her home state to pursue a legal career at Campbell University. Her professional reputation was solidified through her work representing indigent clients, where she earned the respect of her peers, eventually leading to her top-ranking recommendation by the First Judicial District Bar Association.
As of February 2026, Judge Wells is actively campaigning to retain her seat in the upcoming November general election. Her platform emphasizes fairness, integrity, and a deep understanding of the local community’s needs. With a salary exceeding $162,000 and a growing influence in the North Carolina judiciary, Wells represents a new generation of legal leadership in the South. Her transition from a public defender to a judge is viewed by many as a pivotal shift toward a more balanced and experienced bench in the First District.