North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has made new judicial appointments, filling vacancies in the Superior and District Courts with seasoned legal professionals. Announced last Wednesday, these appointments were made public through a press release on the governor's official website.
In a move to effectively replace retired Judge Claire Hill, Judge Stephen C. Stokes has been appointed to the Superior Court for Judicial District 14A, which serves part of Cumberland County. Stokes boasts a diverse background, having previously served as a District Court Judge in Cumberland County. His robust legal history includes experience as a Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, and International Law Attorney within the U.S. Army's Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Stokes holds commendable qualifications with a B.S. from Florida State University, master’s degrees from Webster University, and a J.D. from the Florida State University College of Law, where he was recognized as a Virgil Hawkins Fellow. Governor Stein believes Stokes is to quickly adapt and serve the court with distinction.
Joining the ranks of the District Court for Judicial District 22, encompassing Rockingham and Caswell Counties, is Scott Skidmore, filling the shoes of Judge Chris Freeman who was elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Skidmore comes from three decades as a partner at a law firm, with a focus on criminal defense and real estate cases. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.
The District Court for Judicial District 10F, catering to part of Wake County, will welcome Chris Brooks as its new judge. Brooks is stepping in for Judge Jennifer Bedford, who was elected to the Superior Court. With a history at the North Carolina Department of Justice, Brooks has been part of the Transportation Division since 2006 and has also served in the Criminal Division. He obtained his B.S. from the University of North Carolina and his J.D. from the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University. "These public servants have a wealth of legal experience to draw on, and I am pleased to appoint them to serve as judges," Governor Stein affirmed. "I am confident in their judgment and expertise, and I look forward to their service on the Superior and District Courts," he added in the statement on the North Carolina Office of the Governor website.
