Robinson Bradshaw Files Brief Supporting the Constitutional Right to Education

Robinson Bradshaw attorneys John Wester, Adam Doerr, Erik Zimmerman, Patrick Hill and Emma Perry filed an amicus brief in the N.C. Supreme Court on behalf of a group of more than 50 prominent N.C. business leaders to advocate for state education funding.

The North Carolina Constitution requires the State to “guard and maintain” the fundamental right to a sound basic education. The business leaders submitted their brief to emphasize that this right plays a critical role in ensuring the economic success of individuals and businesses across the state. As the brief argues, “making the constitutional guarantee of the right to quality education a reality for all North Carolina children…sets North Carolina on a course to make economic prosperity a reality for all citizens.”

The N.C. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Aug. 31 in the so-called Leandro suit, which dates back to 1994. The case is known officially as Hoke County Board of Education v. State and had major rulings in 1997 and 2004.

The list of supporting business leaders includes entrepreneurs who founded some of North Carolina’s largest companies, directors and board chairs for large public companies, and other leading executives.

Media coverage of the brief includes:

• Business North Carolina
• WRAL