Gov. Cooper Appoints New Judges in Districts Across the State | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper today announced six new judicial appointments across the state.

    "Superior and District Court judges are so important to our justice system and hear cases critical to their communities every day," Gov. Cooper said. "These appointees bring strong experience to the bench and I believe they will serve the people of our state well."

    Superior Court

    Gov. Cooper appointed William Wood as a Superior Court Judge in District 18D, serving Guilford County. He replaces Judge Lindsay Davis, who retired earlier this year.

    Wood has served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Guilford County District Attorney's Office for nearly thirty years, where he has specialized in prosecuting violent crimes. He holds degrees from Lenoir-Rhyne University and North Carolina Central School of Law.

    District Court

    Gov. Cooper appointed Keith Mason as a District Court Judge in District 2, serving, Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties. He replaces Chief District Court Judge Michael Paul, who retired earlier this year.

    Mason has served as an attorney in private practice for over 25 years. He also formerly served as an Assistant District Attorney in Judicial District 2. He holds undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

    Gov. Cooper appointed Sophia Gatewood Crawford as a District Court Judge in District 16A, serving Anson, Richmond, Scotland and Hoke Counties. She replaces Judge Lisa Thacker, who retired earlier this year.

    Crawford has served as a trial attorney in private practice for 17 years. She previously served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the 20th District. She holds degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University School of Law.

    Gov. Cooper appointed Marcus Shields as a District Court Judge in District 18, serving Guilford County. He replaces Judge Avery Crump, who retired earlier this year.

    Shields has served as an attorney in private practice, as an attorney for North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services, and as an Assistant Public Defender in the 18th Judicial District. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Elon University School of Law. He holds degrees from the University of South Carolina at Columbia and North Carolina Central School of Law.

    Gov. Cooper appointed Faith Fickling as a District Court Judge in District 26, serving Mecklenburg County. She replaces Judge Donnie Hoover.

    Fickling has served as an attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina for nearly 12 years and previously served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Madagascar. She holds degrees from American University and Syracuse University School of Law.

    Gov. Cooper has appointed Roy Wiggins as a District Court Judge in District 26, serving Mecklenburg County. He replaces Judge Karen Eady-Williams.

    Wiggins has served as an attorney in private practice for over 20 years. He previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in Judicial District 26. He holds degrees from East Carolina University and Campbell University School of Law.

    The two Mecklenburg County judges are filling vacancies after Gov. Cooper appointed Judges Eady-Williams and Hoover to the Superior Court recently.

• Contact: Ford Porter
•     govpress@nc.gov