North Raleigh Today

Governor Josh Stein has announced several judicial appointments to the Superior and District Courts. These appointments aim to fill vacancies created by recent retirements and elections.

Judge Stephen C. Stokes has been appointed to the Superior Court for Judicial District 14A, covering part of Cumberland County. This appointment fills the vacancy left by Judge Claire Hill's retirement. Stokes previously served as a District Court Judge in Cumberland County and has an extensive background in military law, having served in various capacities within the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. His educational credentials include a B.S. from Florida State University, dual master’s degrees from Webster University, and a J.D. from Florida State University College of Law.

Scott Skidmore will serve on the District Court for Judicial District 22, which includes Rockingham and Caswell Counties. He replaces Judge Chris Freeman, who was elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Skidmore brings three decades of experience as a partner at Farver, Skidmore & Hux, LLP, with expertise in criminal defense and real estate law. He holds a B.S. from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.

Chris Brooks is appointed to the District Court for Judicial District 10F in Wake County, filling the vacancy left by Judge Jennifer Bedford's election to the Superior Court. Brooks has been with the Transportation Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice since 2006 and previously worked in its Criminal Division. His academic background includes a B.S. from the University of North Carolina and a J.D. from Campbell University's Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.

“These public servants have a wealth of legal experience to draw on, and I am pleased to appoint them to serve as judges,” stated Governor Josh Stein. “I am confident in their judgment and expertise, and I look forward to their service on the Superior and District Courts.”