Chief Justice Paul Newby announced the following appointments effective January 1, 2025:

Judge Robert Trivette has been appointed to serve as chief district court judge for Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans counties (Judicial District 1). Judge Trivette was first appointed to the bench in 2009. Prior to his appointment, he was an assistant district attorney with the Dare County District Attorney’s Office and served as a law partner and associate in the law firm of Vandeventer Black. Judge Trivette received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Judge Trivette will replace Chief District Court Judge Edgar Barnes, who is retiring.

Judge Teresa Freeman has been appointed to serve as chief district court judge for Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, and Northampton counties (Judicial District 7). She was first elected to the court in 2008. Judge Freeman received her undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T State University and her law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. After graduating from law school, she worked as a corporate attorney in Winston-Salem and later served as an assistant district attorney with the Halifax District Attorney’s Office. Judge Freeman will replace Chief District Court Judge W. Turner Stephenson, who is retiring.

Judge Kimberly Fletcher has been appointed to serve as chief district court judge for Guilford County (Judicial District 24). Judge Fletcher was first appointed to the bench in 2008. Previously, she served as an assistant district attorney in Guilford County for more than 10 years. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her law degree from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. Judge Fletcher will replace Chief District Court Judge Teresa Vincent, who is retiring.

Judge David Sipprell has been appointed to serve as chief district court judge for Forsyth County (Judicial District 31). He was first elected to the Court in 2012. Judge Sipprell received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating from law school, he practiced law with the law firm Robert Sheahan & Associates. He later served in the United States Air Force in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and as an assistant district attorney in Forsyth County. Judge Sipprell will replace Chief District Court Judge Victoria Roemer, who is retiring.

Judge Ed Hedrick has been appointed to serve as chief district court judge for Alexander and Iredell counties (Judicial District 32). Judge Hedrick was first elected district court judge in 2008. Before that, he was an assistant district attorney for three years and also worked in private practice. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Judge Hedrick will replace Chief District Court Judge Lawrence Dale Graham, who is retiring.

Judge Ward Scott has been appointed to serve as chief district court judge for Buncombe County (Judicial District 40). He was first appointed to the bench in 2011. Judge Scott received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to his appointment, he worked at the law office of Frank J. Contrivo, P.A. and was a partner with the firm Leake & Scott. Judge Scott will replace Chief District Court Judge James Hill, who is retiring.