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2007 News Articles › Supreme Court Homecoming Set May 11
Supreme Court Homecoming Set May 11
Article Date: Friday, April 20, 2007
Written By: Russell Rawlings
After a two-year absence, the Supreme Court of North Carolina is returning to the Law and Justice Building. The move should be completed by the end of April.
On Friday, May 11, the N.C. Supreme Court Historical Society is sponsoring a “Welcome Home Gala.” The event will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m., Chief Justice Sarah Parker, presiding.
Immediately following the ceremony in the lobby, the entire building will be open for tours.
At 3:45, a series of historical cases which have come before the high court will be re-argued in the courtroom. Former court librarian and marshal, Raymond Mason Taylor, will argue against Raleigh attorney James Jorgensen. The cases will be selected from old cases chosen for their “originality” and “uniqueness.”
It is rumored that the famous “Bawdy House Case” from Lenior County will be re-argued as well as the “no bigger than a man’s thumb” case. Knowing full well that both lawyers will be well versed on both Bawdy Houses and what constitutes a man’s thumb, this should be quite a treat to hear. Chief Justice Parker and other members of the Court will be on the bench.
Another set of tours will commence at 3:45 and Wade Smith and Roger Smith will begin the second set of oral arguments at 4:45. This will be a recreation of arguments or similar to ones made during the celebration of the 175th Anniversary of the Court. They were extremely well received and an encore has been requested. There is some talk of the “Smith Brothers” arriving to court in a horse-drawn carriage.
Beginning at 5:30 at the Museum of History there will have the Private Gala Reception. The reception will be limited to members of the Court, sponsors and individual ticket holders.
The firm memberships in the Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin Society will be given out at the reception by Chief Justice Parker and Society Chairman Willis Whichard.
Several law firms have signed on as sponsors; additional firms and individual attorneys are urged to do so. Contact Henry Mitchell at 821-1220 to secure sponsorships, which are available at the Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,500) and Bronze ($500) levels.
Individual tickets are available for $50 per person through the N.C. Supreme Court Historical Society, where checks may be submitted to: NC Supreme Court Historical Society, PO Box 26972, Raleigh, NC 27611.
The Law and Justice Building was completed in 1940 and it is the fifth permanent home of the Supreme Court. With the exception of chamber renovations in the early 1970s, no significant changes have been made in the building since it was first occupied by the Court.
The current renovations has included new walls, carpets, ceilings, wiring, plumbing and furnishings, all bringing a “brand new” look to the interior of the building. The only work done to the courtroom was refinishing the woodwork and polishing the floor, but the results are stunning.
Reservations are not required for the ribbon cutting or tours; however, reservations are needed to attend either of the oral arguments. E-mail mailto:historical@state.nc.us or phone court historian Danny Moody at 831-5920 and indicate whether you will be attending the 3:45 or 4:45 arguments.