Chief Justice Mark Martin has presented the Honorable Shirley L. Fulton of Charlotte with the 2014 Chief Justice's Professionalism Award. She was presented this annual award on January 21, at the joint meeting of the N.C. State Bar and the N.C. Bar Association in Raleigh, for her selfless dedication and commitment to the principles of professionalism and public service in North Carolina.

Raised on a cotton and tobacco farm in Kingstree, South Carolina, Judge Shirley L. Fulton graduated from North Carolina A&T University in 1977. While working in the Guilford County Register of Deeds Office, Judge Fulton decided she wanted to become a lawyer and graduated from Duke University School of Law in 1980. After a brief period working in a small Durham firm, Judge Fulton was offered a position as Assistant District Attorney in Charlotte, which began her outstanding career in service to the people of North Carolina.

Judge Fulton served more than 20 years in the Mecklenburg County Courthouse as a Senior Resident Superior Court Judge, Resident Superior Court Judge, District Court Judge, and Assistant District Attorney. She led the courts in developing a system-wide strategic plan, successfully campaigned for bonds to build the current courthouse, and developed programs to assist with the needs of non-English speaking court participants. In addition to all of her efforts on the bench, Judge Fulton is a highly respected community leader, serving on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Task Force, as chair of the Board of Advisors for the Charlotte School of Law, and also as president of the Mecklenburg County Bar. After retiring from the bench, Judge Fulton practiced business and real estate law with Tin Fulton Walker and Owen, where she remains of counsel. Currently, she is serving as president of The Wadsworth Estate, a meeting place for corporate, civic, and social events; and also serving as president of the Law and Community Foundation, a non-profit foundation of Charlotte Law School.

Judge Fulton has received numerous awards over the years for her leadership and service in the courts and community. Throughout her career, Judge Shirley Fulton has exceeded all professionalism expectations with her continued selfless dedication and commitment to the legal community, the judicial system, and her fellow citizens. She continues to promote the highest professional standards for all and has set an extraordinary example to follow.

Judge Fulton became the 18th recipient of the Chief Justice's Professionalism Award. Past recipients of this distinguished award include William F. Womble, Senator Robert B. Morgan, Joseph W. Grier, Jr., the late Honorable Robinson O. Everett, the late Honorable David M. Britt, Julius L. Chambers, Elizabeth L. Quick, the Honorable Wallace C. Harrelson, William O. King, E. Fitzgerald Parnell, III, Melvin F. Wright, Jr.; Roy W. Davis, the Honorable Lillian B. Jordan., Robert L. McMillan, Jr., James C. Drennan, Roger W. Smith, Sr.; and Wade M. Smith.

For information about the Chief Justice's Professionalism Award or the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism, please contact the Commission office at 919 890-1455.