Chief Justice's Professionalism Award
Individuals whose contributions have demonstrated the highest commitment to genuine professionalism.
Award Recipients
This award is presented annually to an individual whose contributions have demonstrated the highest commitment to genuine professionalism and the highest standards of legal ethics. Entries are sought from those eligible that have demonstrated the good that can be accomplished by turning intellectual honesty, compassion, and practical skills in the practice of law.
The Chief Justice’s Professionalism Award Recipients:
| 2001 | William F. Womble, Esq. |
| 2002 | Hon. Robert B. Morgan |
| 2003 | Joseph W. Grier, Jr., Esq. |
| 2004 | Hon. Robinson O. Everett |
| 2005 | Hon. David M. Britt |
| 2006 | Julius L. Chambers, Esq. |
| 2007 | Elizabeth L. Quick, Esq. |
| 2008 | Hon. Wallace C. Harrelson E. Fitzgerald Parnell, III, Esq. William O. King, Esq. Melvin F. Wright, Jr., Esq. |
| 2009 | Roy W. Davis, Jr., Esq. |
| 2010 | Hon. Lillian B. Jordan |
| 2011 | Robert L. McMillan, Jr., Esq. |
| 2012 | James C. Drennan, Esq. |
| 2013 | Roger W. Smith, Sr., Esq. Wade M. Smith, Esq. |
| 2014 | Hon. Shirley L. Fulton |
| 2015 | Hon. Burley B. Mitchell, Jr. |
| 2016 | H. Grady Barnhill Hon. Rhoda B. Billings Hon. Henry E. Frye |
| 2017 | Russell M. Robinson, II Hon. Alyson K. Duncan Hon. I. Beverly Lake, Jr. F. Leary Davis |
| 2018 | Allan B. Head Hon. James G. Exum, Jr. Hon. Sarah Parker Hon. Robert F. Orr Hon. Robert H. Edmunds James T. Williams, Jr. Ronald L. Gibson Erna A. P. Womble |
| 2019 | Hon. Patricia A. Timmons-Goodson Hon. Frederick G. Lind James E. Ferguson, II |
| 2020 | Hon. J.C. Cole Hon. Forrest D. Bridges Debra L. Foster |
| 2021 | James "Jimbo" S. Perry Richard S. Towers David B. Freedman |
| 2022 | Charles Gordon Brown LeAnn Nease Brown Hon. Pat Evans Robert "Bert" Carl Kemp, III |
| 2023 | Hon. James Ammons Marci Armstrong Hon. Ashleigh Parker Richard Vinroot |
Courthouse Employees of the Year
This award is presented to individuals who work in courthouses whose contributions have demonstrated the highest commitment to genuine professionalism. Entries are sought from those eligible who have demonstrated professionalism and have gained the respect of their peers.
| 2022 | Jenny Carroll, Wake County Mark Mayakis, Johnston County Raj Nandlal, New Hanover County Debbie Basnight, Currituck County Wayne Dawson, Lenoir County Amy Kincaid, Burke and Caldwell Counties |
| 2023 | Max Ashworth, New Hanover County Valerie Laney, Union County Mike Scearce, Randolph County Elizabeth Dierauf, Henderson County Kimmel McDiarmid, Chatham County Deanna Little, Johnston County J. Dianne Jamerson, Buncombe County Carrie Prelipp, Richmond County David Brad Renegar, Haywood County |
| 2024 | Leonardo Custis, Pasquotank County Sarah Larson, Cumberland County |