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Public: Recent News

The Supreme Court of North Carolina recently marked its official return to the Law and Justice Building with a formal ribbon cutting and celebration. The Welcome Home Gala was sponsored by the N.C. Supreme Court Historical Society.

Justice Robert Edmunds, left, Chief Justice Sarah Parker and Justice Ed Brady prepare to cut ribbon.

Chief Justice Sarah Parker presided over the May 11 ribbon cutting, flanked by the two most senior members of the court in attendance, Justices Robert Edmunds and Ed Brady. The second most senior member of the court, Justice Mark Martin, was ill and unable to attend.

The three most junior members of the court – Justices Robin Hudson, Patricia Timmons-Goodson and Paul Newby – snipped their own section of the ceremonial ribbon, facing attendees atop the steps leading into the newly renovated building from Morgan Street.

Justices Robin Hudson, left, Patricia Timmons-Goodson and Paul Newby participate in ribbon cutting.

Immediately following the ceremony in the lobby, which included opening remarks by Chief Justice Parker, the entire building opened for tours. Law clerks serving members of the court provided direction and information to attendees who enjoyed a rare glimpse into the justices’ offices and conference room.

The two-year absence proved well worth the wait for members of the court, who have much to show for the $9.5 million renovation that was long overdue. Especially impressive in the rejuvenated 1940 building is the historical society’s new exhibit room on the first floor, which currently features women who made history as members of this and other high courts.

In addition to Chief Justice Parker, the exhibit recognizes the contributions of the late Susie Sharp, the first female elected to the position of chief justice in the nation; the late Naomi “Peanut” Morris, the first woman to serve as chief judge of the N.C. Court of Appeals; and Judge Allyson K. Duncan, the former NCBA president who is both the first woman and the first African American from North Carolina to serve on the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Afternoon entertainment featured two presentations comprised of re-arguments of historical cases coming before the state’s highest court. Former court librarian and marshal, Raymond Mason Taylor, argued against Raleigh attorney James Jorgensen in the first series with the members of the court on the bench.

The audience was impaneled as judge and jury on the second series of re-arguments, presented by brothers Wade and Roger Smith. Reprising components of a program previously presented in commemoration of the court’s 175th anniversary, the “brothers of the bar” were resplendent in their formal attire, complemented by the superb narration of Jack Hall.

The festivities concluded with an early evening reception at the N.C. Museum of History.