Governor Cooper Announces Judicial Appointments | Eastern North Carolina Now

Press Release:

    RALEIGH: Today, Governor Cooper announced three judicial appointments to Judicial Districts 29A, 29B, and 3B, which cover McDowell, Rutherford, Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania Counties in the western part of the state and Craven, Carteret, and Pamlico Counties in the east.

    "These experienced attorneys bring valuable knowledge of the law and their communities to the bench, and I'm thankful for their willingness to serve North Carolina," said Gov. Cooper.

    Gov. Cooper appointed Ellen Shelley of Marion as District Court Judge in Judicial District 29A, serving McDowell and Rutherford counties. Shelley will fill the vacancy created by the Honorable Laura Powell when she resigned to take a position as the District 29A public defender. Since 2014, Shelley has been a partner of Evans & Shelley PA, practicing civil, criminal, and family law. She also serves on the board of directors for multiple community boards. Shelley received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina and her Juris Doctor from the Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama.

    Gov. Cooper appointed Kimberly Gasperson-Justice of Hendersonville as District Court Judge in Judicial District 29B, serving Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania counties. Gasperson-Justice will fill the vacant seat previously held by the Honorable Peter Knight, now a Superior Court Judge in District 29B. Gasperson-Justice has served as the Clerk of Superior Court in Henderson County since 2006 and has nearly 17 years of experience in private practice. She is also a retired Major in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps. Gasperson-Justice received her Bachelor of Arts from Mars Hill College and her Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law.

    Gov. Cooper appointed Bob R. Cherry of Newport as District Court Judge in Judicial District 3B, serving Craven, Carteret, and Pamlico counties. Cherry will fill the vacant seat previously held by the Honorable Paul Quinn, who is now a Superior Court Judge in District 3B. Cherry founded Bob R. Cherry, PLLC, until becoming Assistant District Attorney in Prosecutorial District 3B. He previously served as an adjunct professor for the University of Central Florida's Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Department. Cherry received his Associates Degree from Daytona Beach Community College, his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Central Florida, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law.

• Contact: Ford Porter
•     govpress@nc.gov