Chief Justice Mark Martin has appointed Judge Marion Warren as interim director of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC). Judge Warren will begin duties effective upon the retirement of current director Judge John W. Smith on May 1.

"Judge Warren has served as a district court judge for nearly 15 years, and I am confident that he will bring the skills, experience, and leadership necessary for the successful administration of the courts," said Chief Justice Mark Martin. "I appreciate his outstanding work and dedicated service to North Carolina's court system."

"We are very pleased to have Judge Warren accept this important position," said Judge Joseph Buckner, chief district court judge in Chatham and Orange counties and past president of the N.C. Association of District Court Judges and N.C. Conference of Chief District Court Judges. "He has the full confidence of the district court judges from across North Carolina. Judge Warren's experience as an attorney and judge places him in a perfect spot to lead the administrative operations of the Judicial Branch."

Judge Warren will serve in the interim until a new director is appointed. Chief Justice Martin has announced the formation of a search committee to review and make recommendations of candidates to be considered for appointment as the next director of the NCAOC. Judge Smith has served in the position since 2009, and is retiring after more than 40 years of service to the state's courts.

Judge Warren has served as a district court judge in Judicial District 13 (Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus counties) since 2000. He previously served Judicial District 13 as an assistant district attorney from 1993 to 2000. Judge Warren earned his juris doctor (J.D.) from Campbell University School of Law in 1991, after also receiving his undergraduate degree from Campbell University.