North Carolina Court of Appeals Chief Judge Linda McGee, Raleigh Attorney Tom Davis, and Television Writer / Director Tom Earnhardt were presented with Friend of the Court awards for their service to the Judicial Branch and contributions to the Supreme Court’s bicentennial celebration. Chief Justice Cheri Beasley presented the North Carolina Supreme Court’s highest awards at the Bicentennial Gala on October 10.

“The contributions made by Chief Judge McGee, Tom Davis, and Tom Earnhardt helped make the Supreme Court’s bicentennial anniversary a meaningful reflection on the Court’s history,” said Chief Justice Beasley. “Each of the recipients has made an indelible mark on the legal profession. Their commitment, leadership and self-sacrifice truly are worthy of receiving the Judicial Branch’s highest honor.”

Court of Appeals Chief Judge Linda McGee serves as the chair of the Celebrate North Carolina Courts Committee, which oversees the planning and implementation of the Judicial Branch anniversary celebrations. Chief Judge McGee was instrumental in the successful celebration of the 50th anniversary of the District Courts in 2016, the 240th anniversary of the Superior Courts and 50th anniversary of the Court of Appeals in 2017, and the 200th anniversary of the Supreme Court in 2019.

Tom Davis is a partner with law firm Poyner Spruill in Raleigh and president of the North Carolina Supreme Court Historical Society. Davis was instrumental in the fundraising, planning, and execution of the Supreme Court of North Carolina’s Bicentennial Gala on October 10 and of a portion of the North Carolina Museum of History exhibit entitled Law and Justice: The Supreme Court of North Carolina, 1819-2019, which opens on November 15.

Tom Earnhardt is an attorney, producer, writer, and host of the Emmy Award nominated television series Exploring North Carolina. Over the past three years, Earnhardt has devoted himself to the filming, writing, production, and editing of a documentary covering the history of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. The documentary, North Carolina Supreme Court at 200, will premiere at the North Carolina Museum of History on November 14 and broadcast on UNC-TV throughout 2019 and 2020.