Chief Justice Mark Martin has appointed Judge Scott Ussery as chief district court judge for Judicial District 13 (Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus counties), effective January 1, 2017. Judge Ussery will succeed Chief Judge Jerry Jolly upon his retirement.

"Judge Ussery has served with distinction as both a district court judge and a magistrate judge," said Chief Justice Martin. "I am confident that under his leadership, the district courts in District 13 will continue to operate with efficiency and fairness to ensure the proper administration of justice in our courts."

Judge Ussery has served Judicial District 13 as a district court judge since 2009, and previously as an assistant district attorney from 2007 to 2008 and as a magistrate from 1997 to 2000. He earned his juris doctor (J.D.) from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2002, and his undergraduate degree at UNC Wilmington.