NC Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism

01/23/2026

The Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism presented its 2025 awards to Five recipients during its annual awards dinner Wednesday, January 21, 2026. This award is presented annually to an individual or individuals whose contributions have demonstrated the highest commitment to genuine professionalism and the highest standards of legal ethics. The award is presented in cooperation with the N.C. State Bar and N.C. Bar Association.

The recipients for 2025 are Robert E. Harrington, Darrin D. Jordan, Allison Mullins, and Hon. Michael L. Robinson. James “Jimbo” Perry was honored with the inaugural Melvin Wright, Jr. Peacemaker Award for his "steadfast dedication to seeking peace and collegiality among the legal community in North Carolina."

09/08/2025

The Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism celebrated the 200th anniversary of the historic Perquimans County Courthouse in Hertford last week. The meeting included a roundtable discussion of "Professionalism in the 1st District Bar," Chief Justice Paul Newby speaking on "North Carolina’s Original Copy of the Bill of Rights: A Lawyer’s Dream or Nightmare?" and "200th Anniversary of the Perquimans County Courthouse: Historic Commemoration" with retired Superior Court Judge J. Carlton Cole.

04/30/2025

The Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism presented its 2024 Awards to five recipients during its annual awards dinner Wednesday, April 23. Honorees included Judge Angelica Chavis McIntyre, Elizabeth Star, Ben David, Judge Regina Parker, and Andrew Heath. Read more: https://buff.ly/YJVzfKm

03/18/2024

Magistrate Leonardo Custis and Court Administrator Sarah Larson Receive Courthouse Employee of the Year Awards
This award is presented to courthouse personnel who exhibit the highest level of professionalism in service to their communities.

02/19/2024

Retired Superior Court Judge Quentin T. Sumner Honored with Professionalism Award

02/01/2024

CONGRATULATIONS to the recipients of the 2023 Chief Justice's Professionalism Award!

Chief Justice Paul Newby presented the 2023 Chief Justice's Professionalism Award to the following recipients: Hon. James Ammons, Marci Armstrong, Hon. Ashleigh Parker and Richard Vinroot. These recipients were presented with this annual award for their dedication and commitment to the principles of professionalism and public service in North Carolina.

02/01/2024

NEW PODCAST! Listen to an Interview with retired Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism Executive Director Mel Wright who retired December 2023.

Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism's former Executive Director Mel Wright retired December 2023.

02/01/2024

James "Jimbo" S. Perry Named as Executive Director of the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism. Perry replaces former Executive Director Melvin Wright who served in this capacity until his retirement in December 2023.

Perry replaces former Executive Director Melvin Wright who served in this capacity until his retirement in December 2023.

01/20/2023

Chief Justice Paul Newby presented the 2022 Chief Justice's Professionalism Awards during an event held in partnership with the North Carolina State Bar and North Carolina Bar Association.

The recipients have demonstrated the good that can be accomplished when intellectual honesty, compassion, and practical skills are seamlessly integrated into the practice of law.

The following individuals were presented with awards:

Charles Gordon Brown
LeAnn Nease Brown
Hon. Patricia “Pat” Evans
Robert "Bert" Carl Kemp, III

08/15/2022

Chief Justice Newby recently recognized three Judicial Branch and courthouse employees for their professionalism.

04/25/2022

Chief Justice Paul Newby presented the 2020 and 2021 Chief Justice's Professionalism Award to six recipients on Wednesday, April 20, at the joint reception and dinner of the N.C. State Bar and the N.C. Bar Association at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley. The recipients were honored with this annual award for their dedication and commitment to the principles of professionalism and public service in North Carolina.

The awards were presented to the following:
•The Honorable J.C. Cole, superior court judge (Ret.)
•The Honorable Forrest D. Bridges, senior resident superior court judge
•Attorney Debra L. Foster
•Attorney James "Jimbo" S. Perry
•Attorney Richard S. Towers
•Attorney David B. Freedman (posthumously)

03/07/2022

Our Executive Director, Mel Wright, was featured on the latest episode of the All Things Judicial podcast. In this episode, Mr. Wright highlights the importance of professionalism in the legal community and what our Commission’s mission is. We hope that you will take some time to listen and enjoy!

The Commission provides continuing legal education and acts as a voluntary peer intervention program involving professionalism issues.