The North Carolina Court of Appeals is holding special sessions in Boone on October 23 and Sparta on October 24, and the Watauga and Alleghany County legal communities will gather to celebrate the Court's 50th anniversary.

WHAT
The public is invited to attend as a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals hears cases as part of a special session. The events will celebrate the Court's 50th anniversary and educate the public about the function that North Carolina courts serve throughout the state. The first session will acknowledge Chief Judge Linda M. McGee, a Marion native who practiced law in Boone for 17 years. Chief Judge McGee began her service on the Court of Appeals in 1995. The second session will acknowledge Judge Valerie J. Zachary, of the 23rd Judicial District, who has served on the Court of Appeals since 2015.

This special session is an extension of the Court of Appeal's commitment to civic education and an effort to increase awareness of the role the court system plays in the lives of North Carolinians.

The Court of Appeals is the state's intermediate appellate court that decides questions of law in cases appealed from superior and district courts, and from certain administrative agencies of the North Carolina Executive Branch. This special session provides a unique opportunity for attendees to see the Court in action.

WHO
The panel of judges for Watauga includes: Chief Judge Linda M. McGee, Judge Lucy N. Inman, Judge Valerie J. Zachary.

The panel of judges for Alleghany includes: Chief Judge Linda M. McGee, Judge Ann Marie Calabria, Judge Valerie J. Zachary.

Attendees will include local students, lawyers, and court personnel. The general public is welcome to attend.

WHEN and WHERE
Watauga

• The event is on Monday, October 23, at 2:00 p.m. Chief Judge McGee will be available for interviews after the event.
• County Commissioners' Board Room, 814 W. King St., Boone, NC 28607.

Alleghany

• The event is on Tuesday, October 24, at 2:00 p.m. The panel will be available for interviews after the event.
• Alleghany County Courthouse, 12 N. Main St., Sparta, NC 28675.

MORE INFORMATION
The 50th anniversary of the Court of Appeals continues to unite members of the legal and judicial community with North Carolinians across the state. For more information on how the Court of Appeals is commemorating this historic anniversary, or to request a speaker to discuss the role and importance of the Judicial Branch at your next event, please visit Celebrate.NCcourts.org.