ShantÉ Burke-Hayer

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Highly regarded for her work in and out of the courtroom, Shanté Burke-Hayer is known to be a woman of integrity and humility. She has a caring temperament with a principled and idea-driven demeanor that is essential for handling the high-pressure role of District Court Judge. She upholds a moral standard that is representative of what is expected within the criminal justice system – someone who is fair, just, and empathetic to the human experience. Shanté is wise beyond her years, thoughtful, and witty at times.  She cares about her community and is committed to addressing its needs.  

Shanté Burke-Hayer’s legal journey began in 2006 as a Youth Tobacco Prevention Advocate, where she researched the laws surrounding tobacco use and advocated for restaurants to become smoke free. In 2010, she became an intern and law clerk for a criminal law firm in Charlotte, NC. During this time she learned all about criminal procedure and how to succeed as an aspiring criminal defense attorney. From  2012-2014, Shanté gained experience in juvenile law when she became a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem and represented the voice of abused, neglected, and dependent children. Shanté continued to gain experience by interning with a family and juvenile law office in Charlotte and Concord, NC. She worked as a student attorney at the Family Advocacy Clinic representing parents attempting to regain custody of their minor children. Upon graduating law school, Shanté had the pleasure of working with the EEOC where she reviewed and processed employment law claims, and Wells Fargo where she was a pertinent member of one of their legal teams, until she landed a position with a family law firm in Charlotte, NC.  In 2017, Shanté decided to hang her own shingle and go into private practice, where she concentrated in the areas of family law, juvenile law, estate planning and probate, and other civil matters. It was there where she honed her skills in civil procedure, the rules of evidence, and litigation.

Shanté is committed to serving Charlotte Mecklenburg as well as other communities across the state of North Carolina, including the underserved and underrepresented. As a member of the Concord Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, she currently serves on the Nominating committee, the Delta Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully (GEMS) committee, and holds the title of past Parliamentarian. She is a woman of strong faith and believes in a cohesive family structure. One of her favorite quotes say, “In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” Shanté and her husband are the current leaders of the marriage ministry at Ebenezer Baptist Church (EBC). She also serves as the President of the EBC Mass Choir. Shanté is the former co-owner of Ladies Leading Initiatives (LLI), an organization committed to empowering and uplifting women business owners. She is frequently invited to various speaking engagements to address youth groups and other community organizations. In 2019, she proudly served as the commencement speaker at her alma mater, Gates County High School.  

Shanté is also affiliated with the following:

• North Carolina State Bar
• NC Bar Association
• Mecklenburg County Bar Association
• the Family Law Section
• the Young Lawyers Division
• Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County
• Estate Planning and Probate Section
• Leary Bar Association
• NAACP Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Branch
• Black Political Caucus of Mecklenburg County
• Social Capital Mentoring Collaborative
• Pro Bono Volunteer Attorney for Mecklenburg County’s Community Support Services Legal Clinic
• Active volunteer for the Wills for Heroes Clinic

As you can see, she has a strong belief in faith, family, and advocacy! She recognizes strong faith brings hope; cohesive families create healthy environments; and advocacy protects human rights! Shanté has further demonstrated such by marching the streets of Charlotte to peacefully protest the injustices of human rights and has willingly volunteered her services to represent peaceful protesters of local demonstrations.

Originally from Gates, North Carolina, a small, rural area in the state, Shanté moved to Charlotte in 2007 to attend UNC-Charlotte. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English with a double minor in Criminal Justice and Political Science. Shanté also received her Juris Doctorate degree in 2014 from the Charlotte School of Law. Shanté is married to her high school sweetheart and they have two beautiful children and one fur baby. In her free time, she enjoys attending live musical performances, singing, dancing, and interior designing.