This episode features an interview with Chief Justice Paul Newby and his wife, Mrs. Macon Newby. The Chief and Mrs. Newby completed a historic 100-county courthouse tour which began in Murphy (Cherokee County) in May 2021, and ended with a final stop in Manteo (Dare County) in October 2022. They greeted judges and courthouse staff at each of the courthouses to thank them for their hard work and dedication in keeping courts operational and accessible to North Carolinians. Judges and courthouse staff are essential in fulfilling the Judicial Branch's constitutional "open courts" mandate to provide equal justice to all in a timely manner.

"This (tour) gave us the opportunity to learn from (judges and courthouse staff). The local courthouses know much better what allows them to efficiently administer justice," Chief Justice Newby said on the podcast. "We have diversity in every way you can imagine, but what we have in common is the desire of all of our judicial official and employees that their be equal justice for all."

In this episode, we feature excerpts of an interview with former Judicial District 18 (Guilford County) Chief Public Defender Wallace C. Harrelson. He has the distinction of serving as North Carolina's first and longest serving public defender. The interview was recorded in 2008 as part of the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism's Historical Video Series and was conducted by former Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Douglas Albright. In the interview, Harrelson shares how he chose the law as a profession, the implementation of North Carolina's public defender system, and the details of one of his most memorable cases. 

"(Public defenders) had to set a standard of representation that showed that you were doing what the office was set up to do–providing the best representation possible," said Harrelson on the podcast. "It took a period of time to convince all the parties that the public defender program was what was needed to be spread throughout the state."

Wallace "Wally" Harrelson was born in Cherryville, North Carolina, and graduated from Duke University with an undergraduate degree in political science. Harrelson attended Duke University School of Law and graduated in 1962. He served as a prosecutor in Guilford County and then worked in private practice until his appointment by Governor Bob Scott in 1970 as the first Chief Public Defender in the state. He served in that role for his entire career until his death in 2011. His tenure as Chief Public Defender in Judicial District 18 lasted over 40 years and spanned the terms of seven governors and five local senior resident chief superior court judges. The full video interview with Harrelson can be found on the North Carolina Judicial Branch YouTube channel.

This episode features a roundtable discussion about the importance of courthouse security in fulfilling the constitutional mission of the Judicial Branch that "... justice shall be administered without favor, denial or delay.” The guests on today’s episode are Lieutenant Greg Lockemy with the Johnston County Sheriff's Office, Major Greg Newkirk with the Wake County Sheriff's Office, and Deputy J.R. Ray with the Person County Sheriff's Office. These security professionals share personal stories and discuss a wide range of topics that include guarding against threats to courthouses and courthouse personnel, handling the media and jurors, providing first responder medical treatment, and projecting a generally positive attitude as the public's first contact at North Carolina's county courthouses.

"We don't have anything to sell, but we can sell ourselves," said Major Newkirk on the podcast. "And that means a pleasant attitude because it might not be a pleasant reason why they're (at court), but we can make it a very positive interaction with people while they're there."

This episode of All Things Judicial features an interview with Supreme Court of North Carolina Associate Justice Trey Allen. With Associate Justice Richard Dietz, Allen is one of the two newest members on the Court having been elected in November 2022. On this podcast episode, listeners will get to know Allen who shares about his Robeson County upbringing, educational and professional experiences, and his outlook on his new job of serving as a supreme court justice.  

"A lot of thought and a lot of effort is required to be a good justice on our Court," said Allen on the podcast. "I try to bring a sense of my own fallibility, a determination to get it right, and a strong work ethic to the job."

This episode features excerpts of an interview with attorney Walter F. Brinkley, Jr. who was co-founder of North Carolina Legal Services Corporation, and was counsel in the U.S. Supreme Court case against the University of North Carolina to desegregate the UNC School of Law. The interview was recorded in 2006 as part of the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism's Historical Video Series and was conducted by attorney Hank Van Hoy. In the interview, Brinkley shares how his career was inspired by his father's criminal defense of an African American tenant farmer before an all-white Davie County jury, and Brinkley reminds lawyers that they have a duty of public service because of their unique position as members of the Bar.

"I have always had the view that a license to practice law in North Carolina was not actually a license, but should be considered a privilege," said Brinkley on the podcast. "Because of that, members of the Bar have a duty to repay the public by offering public service in various forms"

In honor of April being recognized as Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Appreciation Month, the April episodes of All Things Judicial highlight the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem program (GAL). In this episode, we interview five attorney advocates who are staff or contractual attorneys in the GAL program. These attorneys are an essential part of a collaborative model, that along with volunteers and staff, ensure that abused or neglected children in North Carolina receive GAL legal advocacy services. GAL Advocacy Supervisor Ruth Griffin moderated the interviews where attorneys shared about their experiences in serving as advocates, ways to improve the system of representing abused and neglected children in court, and how they cope with the sometimes difficult circumstances in their cases.

"Especially in the courtroom, I always try to make sure that (the chiild's and GAL's) voice is heard," said attorney Vernon Cloud on the podcast. "Letting people know that I represent the child and to contact me first ... is a constant battle."

In honor of April being recognized as Child Advocacy Month, the April episodes of All Things Judicial will highlight the North Carolina Guardian ad Litem program (GAL). In today's episode, we interview six child advocate volunteers who serve on the front lines of advocating for abused and neglected children in court. These volunteers are just a few of the over 5,000 North Carolina child advocates who give of their time, energy, and heart to help improve the lives of children and youth. GAL Advocacy Supervisor Ruth Griffin moderated the interviews where volunteers shared about their motivation for serving as advocates, and the process of how they became involved in the program.

"Anybody can volunteer ... we have such a great need with so many kids in the system that they need someone to stand up for them," said GAL volunteer Loretta on the podcast. "If you are concerned about kids, open up your heart and go see the GAL program in your district and give it a try."

In this episode, we highlight the new Wake County Legal Support Center. In the first segment, we are joined by Wake County District Court Judge Ashleigh Parker Dunston who discusses the center's creation and operation. In the second segment, Judge Dunston takes listeners on a tour of the new center and further explains how it serves the citizens of Wake County.

"Over the last two months that (the center) has been in operation, we have seen more informed and educated individuals coming in to represent themselves," said Dunston on the podcast. "And that is exactly what the center is supposed to do."

The Wake County Legal Support Center is located in the Wake County Courthouse and began operation on January 9, 2023. It is designed to serve as a resource hub for Wake County residents who are self-represented litigants in civil legal matters. The Center provides access to legal forms and information packets that address common problems like family law and housing, while partnering with community organizations to provide free legal clinics and access to other social services and community resources.

Judge Ashleigh Parker Dunston is a district court judge in the 10th Judicial District, which encompasses Wake County. Prior to that, Judge Dunston served as an assistant attorney general at the North Carolina Department of Justice and as an assistant district attorney at the Wake County District Attorney's Office.

In this episode, we discuss the portrayals of lawyers and judges in Hollywood films. Our guests are wife and husband, former North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Lucy Inman and screenwriter and producer Billy Warden. In the episode, Inman and Warden engage in an entertaining and passionate discussion about their favorite legal-themed movies, the levels of realism in courtroom drama, and why courtroom dramas have proven popular with non-lawyer audiences.

"I think the reason we like these courtroom dramas is ... lawyers and judges have so much power over our lives," Inman said on the podcast. "But to see them struggle, to see them stumble, and to see them fail, reassures us that they are not as all-powerful as we might think they are."

Judge Lucy Inman served as a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals from 2015–2022 and served as a North Carolina Superior Court judge from 2010–2014. Before serving on the bench, she practiced law in Los Angeles, CA, where she worked in civil litigation concentrating on disputes in commercial, media, and entertainment law. 

Billy Warden is a marketing executive, journalist, multimedia producer, and screenwriter. Atlas Entertainment (know for movies like Uncharted and American Hustle) recently optioned one of his pieces as a possible motion picture. He is currently hunting for a compelling legal odyssey to turn into a movie or TV series.

Movie titles discussed on this podcast episode include:

• Adam's Rib (1949)
• Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)
• A Civil Action (1998)
• The Godfather (1972)
• Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
• My Cousin Vinny (1992)
• My Favorite Wife (1940)
• Philadelphia (1993)
• Primal Fear (1996)
• To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
• The Untouchables (1987)
• The Verdict (1982)
• Witness for the Prosecution (1957)

In this episode, Campbell School of Law Dean Rich Leonard shares stories from his early life, career, and time spent assisting several African nations improve their systems of justice. Leonard wrote about these stories in his recent book entitled "From Welcome to Windhoek: A Judge's Journey." The interview was conducted by Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism Executive Director Mel Wright whose insightful questions prompted Leonard to expound on lessons-learned, both personally and professionally. 

"I think the message I'm trying to convey is not any greatness in me for goodness sakes," said Leonard on the podcast. "It's just that you persevere, you work as hard as you can, you treat people kindly, you treat people fairly, you outwork everyone, and it often works out."

Dean Rich Leonard has been described as a pioneering judge, a groundbreaking court administrator, a restorer of historic courthouses, and at age 29 the youngest U.S. District Court Clerk in the country. He worked as a special consultant to the U.S. Department of State, where for 20 years he helped developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa create workable court systems. His recent book describes him as a marathon runner, mountain climber, forger of cross-continental friendships, and someone who embraced life in all its majesty and messiness.