The Clerk of Superior Court is elected in partisan elections for a 4-year term and must be a resident of the county. The clerk is responsible for all clerical and record-keeping functions of the superior court and district court. The clerk also handles the probate of wills and the administration of estates of decedents, minors and incompetents. The clerk also hears a variety of special proceedings such as adoptions, incompetency determinations and partitions of land, is empowered to issue arrest and search warrants, and to exercise the same powers as a magistrate with respect to taking pleas of guilty to minor littering, traffic, wildlife, boating, marine fisheries, alcoholic beverage, state park recreation and worthless-check offenses.
Position/philosophy statement
My goal has always been, & continues to be, to lead the Clerk of Court’s office with integrity & to serve the people of Guilford County with efficiency, fairness, & compassion through proven leadership & experience.
Current Occupation
Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court
As a licensed attorney with 45 years of legal experience, I have proudly served the people of Guilford County as an Assistant Public Defender, Assistant District Attorney, and Clerk of Superior Court. I have presided over hundreds of hearings and have served as Clerk for 17 of the past 27 years. This experience gives me a clear, practical understanding of how our justice system works and how this office serves the public every day. I lead with compassion as a servant leader and am committed to fairness, integrity, organization, balance, and sound judgment in every decision I make on behalf of our community.
The most important issues facing the Clerk of Court’s office are maintaining effective operations & accountability. This includes managing & supervising approximately 150 employees across 2 locations while sustaining a motivated workforce, supporting staff retention, & preserving the institutional knowledge essential to running the Clerk’s office effectively. Consistent training & oversight are critical, as is adapting to evolving technology & any change in laws. The office also coordinates daily with judges, attorneys, & other county court offices across North Carolina. Another key responsibility is maintaining accurate, timely, & secure records for both District/Superior Court, which directly impact cases, families, & businesses here.
Since returning as Clerk of Court in May 2025, I have already implemented changes in personnel and departmental operations and will continue to embrace improvement as needs arise. As technology changes, the Clerk’s office must adapt, and I am committed to modernizing processes where possible to improve accuracy and accountability. I will continue to build on the strong customer service our office provides to thousands of residents each year while finding better ways to serve the people of Guilford County. While extended public hours are often discussed, my experience shows that balanced scheduling is essential to maintaining effective operations and a healthy work-life balance for employees, which ultimately benefits the public.
The Clerk of Court’s office plays a vital role in the lives of Guilford County residents, from adoptions and guardianships to assisting grieving families with probate and estate matters. I don’t take this responsibility lightly. In the Clerk’s office, we always aim to work together to run an efficient office that touches people’s lives every day, whether it’s conducting hearings, processing name changes, granting default judgments in divorces, handling foreclosures, or managing jury service. The Clerk of Court must be a proven leader with a strong background in the law and meaningful experience in both the courthouse and the Clerk’s office. Our employees are encouraged to show compassion, understanding, and empathy to both colleagues and citizens, maintaining the highest standards and integrity, ensuring the public can rely on the Clerk’s Office during important moments in their lives.
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