John W. Smith, director of the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC), announced today that Tom Murry will join the Judicial Branch to assist the Chief Justice and the NCAOC director in coordinating legislative efforts and governmental affairs, effective February 2. In his role as chief legal counsel for governmental affairs, Murry will coordinate all legislative activities for the Judicial Branch and will work with legislative leaders and stakeholders of the court system in order to promote consensus on critical funding needs.

"The director and I look forward to working with Tom, as he comes to the Judicial Branch with a wealth of experience and understanding of legal and policy issues," Chief Justice Mark Martin said. "Tom also has great experience in the North Carolina Legislature and will continue to serve the state well as the Judicial Branch moves through challenging times."

Murry served two terms in the N.C. House of Representatives representing the 41st district in Wake County. During the 2014 legislative session, Murry was co-chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee that developed budgets for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Labor. Prior to serving in the N.C. General Assembly, Tom was elected to two terms as an at-large member of the Morrisville Town Council. Professionally, Tom is an attorney and a pharmacist. Murry earned his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from the University of Arkansas College of Pharmacy and his Juris Doctor (JD) from Campbell University School of Law. Tom currently serves as first lieutenant in the N.C. National Guard as a judge advocate general. Murry and his wife Tamara have three children: two elementary-age daughters and a son who is a toddler.

About N.C. Judicial Branch
The Judicial Branch is an equal and distinctively separate branch and core function of government. The 6,400 Judicial Branch employees statewide administer justice in courthouses in North Carolina's 100 counties. The Judicial Branch budget is $464M, 93% of which is used to pay salaries. The remaining 7% is used for operations and has been cut by $15M to fund the State's budget shortfalls. The Judicial Branch receives 2.20% only of the overall State budget, which is lower now than at the height of the recession. More than 54% of the courts' budget is covered by imposed court fees.

About N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts
The N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) is the administrative agency for the N.C. Judicial Branch, providing administrative services to help the North Carolina court system operate more efficiently and effectively, taking into account each courthouse's diverse needs, caseloads, and available resources.