Skip to main content

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. Allyson 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
2024 Ben David

Andrew Heath

Judge Angelica Chavis McIntyre

Judge Regina Parker

Elizabeth Star
2025 Darrin D. Jordan

Allison Mullins

Hon.  Michael L. Robinson

Robert E. Harrington

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
Rich Hopkins, Guilford County
Austin Simpson, Pasquotank County
J. Taplie Coile, Pitt County
Kimberly Ray, Iredell County
Anthony Futrell, Pitt County
Angela G. Barnes, Wilson County
Rebecca O. Hall, Transylvania County
Carolyn A. Green, Union County
Reginald D. O'Rourke, Wake County
2025

Christopher E. Bazzle, Mecklenburg County
Kimberly W. Jeffreys, Lee County
Emily J. Byrum, Brunswick County
Patricia E. Jaeger, Brunswick County
Nancy R. Lee, Caldwell County
Frank Holder, Caldwell County
Leslie A. Arther, Guilford County
Kimberlie A. Boone, Guilford County