Born in Forsyth County, North Carolina, Stanley received a Bachelor of Laws from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1931.
He was in private practice of law in Greensboro, North Carolina from 1931 to 1954.
He was the United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina from 1954 to 1957.
[1] Stanley received a recess appointment from President Dwight D. Eisenhower on October 23, 1957, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina vacated by Judge Johnson Jay Hayes.
Nominated to the same seat by President Eisenhower on January 13, 1958, Stanley was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 25, 1958, and received his commission on February 27, 1958.