Honorable Louis A. Trosch, Jr.

Education

UNC at Chapel Hill School of Law (1989-1992)
J.D. with Honors awarded May 1992

• Order of the Coif Inductee, 1992
• Note Editor, North Carolina Law Review, 1991-92; Staff Member, 1990-91
• Recipient, IOLTA Grant funding public interest employment, 1991
• First Recipient, Graham Carlton Scholarship for outstanding performance in Law School
• Book Award honoree, top performance in Trial Advocacy, Spring 1991

Washington & Lee University (1984-1988)
B.A. in English awarded June 1988, Magna Cum Laude

• Recipient, Solum Sumnerfield Scholarship as most outstanding senior in the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity
• Co-Captain, varsity basketball team 1988, four varsity letters for Basketball and Alumni Career Award for most exemplary career contribution

PUBLICATIONS

• Co-Author, Bringing Racial Justice to the Courtroom and Community: Race Matters for Juvenile Justice and the Charlotte Model, 73 WASH. & LEE L. REV. ONLINE 641 (2017)
• AUTHOR, 6 Tips for Reducing Disparity in Child Welfare, THE CONNECTION – Fall 2010
• Co-author, The Success of Permanency Mediation in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, NAT’L CASA JUDGE’S PAGE, October 2008, http://www.nationalcasaorg/JudgesPage/index.htm.
• Author, Effective Collaboration Between the Juvenile Court and Mental Health Systems, NAT’L CASA JUDGE’S PAGE, February 2006, http://www.nationalcasaorg/JudgesPage/index.htm.
• Co-Author, Child Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Mediation Pilot Project, JUV. & FAM. CT. J., Fall 2002, at 67
• Co-Author, CHILD MALTREATMENT FATALITIES: GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSE, NORTH CAROLINA CHILD ADVOCACY INSTITUTE, THE COURT, authored Chapter 3 (2000)
• Co-Author, Dependency Mediation Pilot Program Grants and Procedures for the 26th Judicial District (received grants in November 2000 from The Duke Endowment, Z. Smith Reynolds Foundations, and The Sisters of Mercy to fund the program for three years)
• Co-Author, Pro Bono Projects Need Volunteers: Juvenile Justice, NORTH CAROLINA BAR ASSOCIATION (June 1998)
• Co-Author, HOT TOPICS IN SCHOOL LAW IN NORTH CAROLINA, authored section entitled Search and Seizure: School Systems and the Fourth Amendment (1996)
• Author, State v. Strickland: Evening the Odds in Rape Trials! North Carolina Allows Expert Testimony on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to Disprove Victim Consent, 69 N.C.L. REV. 1624 (1991)
• Co-Author, Corporal Punishment in North Carolina, written for publication in various North Carolina local newspapers (August 1991)

Presentations

• Panelist, North Carolina Bar Association 2026 Professionalism Committee CLE Program, The American Legal System at 250: Professionalism, Civility, Ethics, Technology and Rule of Law in the Modern Era (December 3, 2026, Cary, NC)
• Panelist, The Chief Justice William H. Bobbitt American Inn of Court, Jury Selction How To Do It Effectively (November 17, 2026, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Mecklenburg Bar Association CLE, The Practice of Professionalism: Lessons from Leaders in the Mecklenburg County Legal Community (November 12, 2026, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, Mecklenburg Bar Association Sole Practioner/Small Firm Section CLE, Beyond the Bar: Rethinking Retirement in the Legal Profession (November 5, 2026, Charlotte, NC)
• Celebrity Judge, Elon School of Law, High Rhymes and Misdemeanors Flex Poetry Slam (October 20, 2026, Charlotte, NC)
• Opening Speaker, Meclenburg Bar Association Young Lawyers Division CLE, Trial Advocacy for Young Lawyers and Gaining Skills through Pro Bono Practice (May 8, 2026, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) for Western North Carolina, Question and Answers with Superior Court Bench (January 21, 2026 Virtual Meeting)
• Guest, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins, Interview with outgoing Superior Court Judge Lou Trosch (December 15, 2025, WFAE); Race and Juvenile Justice in Charlotte (June 28, 2016, WFAE)
• Presenter, Virginia CLE Representation of Children as a Guardian As Litem – 2025 Qualifying Course, Cultural Awareness (November 19, 2025, Richmond, VA)
• Panelist, Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice Services, Leaders Igniting Tomorrow Youth Conference, Criminal Justice, Youth Leadership and Empowerment (June 14, 2025, Charlotte, NC)
• Opening Speaker, Mecklenburg Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Trial Advocacy (May 2, 2025, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, Mecklenburg Bar Association Increasing Diversity in the Legal Profession Conference, Judicial Perspectives (March 22, 2025, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, NBIVirtual Judicial Forum, Civil Court Judicial Forum (December 6, 2024, Virtual Training)
• Presenter, Thompson’s Child and Family Focus, The Science Behind Implicit Bias (November 13, 2024 & March 27, 2025, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL DEIA Council), View from the Bench: A DEIA Virtual Rountable (June 14, 2024, Virtual Training).
• Keynote Speaker, Eustress, Inc. Let’s Talk About It Mental Health Gala (May 18, 2024, Charlotte NC)
• Moderator, NC-CRED Symposium, Addressing Internal DEI Issues in the Judiciary (February 12, 2024, Durham, NC)
• Plenary Speaker, RMJJ 2021 Biennial Conference, Financial Disparities in Communities of Color: Race, Money and a Journey to Justice (October 21, 2021, Zoom Virtual Conference)
• Commission Witness, Reimagining America Project: The Truth, Reconcilliation, and Atonement Commission’s Pilot Commission Hearing, Racialization in the Criminal Justice System (October 22, 2020, Zoom Virtual Presentation)
• Participant, UNC School of Government Film Presentation, Reflections of Race and Justice (October 5, 2020, Chapel Hill, NC and now available on numerous virtual platforms)
• Presenter, North Carolina Conference of Superior Court Judges, Racial Equity Training: Session 2 Implicit Bias and the Courts (September 25, 2020, Web-Ex Virtual Training)
• Presenter, Western District of North Carolina US Probation Office 2020 Conference, Implicit Bias and the Law (September 18, 2020, Microsoft Team Virutal Presentation)
• Panelist, What’s Structural and Institutional Racism Got to do With It?, Black Pearls Society, Inc. (July 2&9, 2020, Zoom Virtual Conference)
• Panelist, Beyond This Moment: Expanding Our Network of Community & Instutional Organizing, Black Pearls Society, Inc. (June 18, 2020, Zoom Virtual Conference)
• Facilitator, Catalyst for Change Discussion, North Carolina Guardian Ad Litem State and Local Representatives (June 17, 2020, Web-Ex Virtual Conference)
• Presenter, Racial Justice In North Carolina: Zealous Advocacy in the Face of Resistance (NC Advocates for Justice), How are Defense Attorneys Missing Opportunities to Litigate Race: A View from the Bench (February 14, 2020, Raleigh, NC)
• Panelist, Union Presbyterian Seminary Community Forums, Dangerous Dialogues—Human Trafficking (January 23, 2020, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, NBI Judicial Forum, As Judges See It: Top Mistakes Attorneys Make in Civil Litigation (November 15, 2019, Charlotte, NC )
• Panelist, Georgetown University Center for Juvenile Justice’s 2019 Janet Reno Forum: Building the Ideal Juvenile Justice System—Guiding Principles and Strategies for Reform (July 16, 2019, Washington, DC)
• Panelist, Reeder Memorial Baptist Church Social Justice Series, Where is Social Justice in the Criminal Justice System? (March 14, 2019, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Duke Law School’s 5^th Annual Whiskey in the Courtroom Conference—Cognitive Bias in Forensic Science and in the Courtroom, A View From the Bench (March 8, 2019, Durham, NC)
• Co-Presenter, Justice Initiatives Presents The NC Justice Summit—Raise the Age: A Call to Action for Communities and Courts, Court Involved Youth and Pro-Social Activities (February 22, 2019, Charlotte, NC)
• Presiding Judge, National Adoption Day 2019, Mecklenburg County Celebratiion (November 17, 2018, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Color and Character Community Forum, Perspectives on Integration from a CMS Graduate (October 14, 2018, Matthews, NC)
• Presenter, NC Guardian ad Litem Annual Conference, Hidden in Plain Sight: Implicit Bias (July 27, 2018, Winston-Salem, NC)
• Presenter, National Association of Court Management (NACM) Annual Confernce: Mind the Gap, The Power of Active Engagement, Exploring Implicit Bias: Bringing Racial Justice to the Court System through Insitutional Organizing (July 23, 2018, Atlanta, GA)
• Panelist, NC Bar Association’s Juvenile Justice & Children’s Rights Section Annual Meeting (Raise the Age: A New Era or Juvenile Justice in North Carolina), Local Perspectives on Raise the Age Implementation (May 10, 2018, Raleigh, NC)
• Presenter, NC Juvenile Jurisdiction Advisory Committee Meeting, Raise the Age’s Potential Impacts to the 26^th Judicial District, Mecklenburg County (May 22, 2018, Raleigh, NC)
• Presenter, 2018 National Conference on Juvenile Justice sponsored by NCJFCJ, Don’t Say “Extracurricular”, Say “Pro-Social” Because Court-Involved Kids Deserve Normalcy (March 19, 2018, San Diego, CA)
• Presenter, Metrolina Association of Psychologists in Schools (MAPS), Mecklenburg County’s Truancy Court Initiative; A Long History of Collaboration between Judges and CMS (February 8, 2018, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, School-Justice Partnership National Resource Center’s School-Justice Partnership Institute, Racial and Ethnic Disparities; From School to the Courtroom (January 23, 2018, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, MCB Continuing Legal Education, Criminal Court Practice, A View From the Bench (October 27, 2017, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, The Atlantic Race + Justice Summit (supported by MacArthur Foundtation and underwritten by Bank of America), Reforming Juvenile Justice: What’s Next? (October 17, 2017, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Metrolina Association of Psycologists in the Schools (MAPS), Truancy Court: Partnering with Families, School Personnel, and Court Officials to Improve Attendance and Performance (September 28, 2017, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Wyoming State Bar Annual Meeting & Judicial Conference, Implicit Bias and the Law (September 12, 2017, Cheyenne, WY)
• Presenter, Louisiana District Attorney’s Association (LDAA) Annual Conference, The Impact of Implicit Bias in Judicial Proceedings (July 8, 2017, Sandestin, FL)
• Participant, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Sutainability Think Tank, The Future of the Model Courts Initiative (May 5, 2017, Reno, NV)
• Panelist, The Art of Political Discourse presented by The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, The Art of Political Discourse: a Panel Discussion on Social Inequalities (April 17, 2017, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, The McCourt School of Public Policy 2017 LEAD Conference: Moving from Policy to Practice to Improve the Lives of Youth presented by the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform, Georgetown University, Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Youth Serving Systems (April 7, 2017, Washington, DC)
• Panelist, UNCC Students4Giving Conference, Race Matters for Juvenile Justice Panel (March 31, 2017, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Inaugural Illinois Child Welfare Transormation Summit presented by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Racial Justice and Judicial Practices (October 18, 2016, Chicago, IL)
• Speaker, The Arts Empowerment Project’s New Day Luncheon, Announcing The Judge Bill Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund (October 6, 2016, Charlotte, NC)
• Co-Presenter, 2016-2017 RMJJ Community Presentation Series, Defining Race and Measuring Its Impact (September 21, 2016, Charlotte, NC); The History of Racial Exclusion (November 16, 2016, Charlotte, NC); An Introduction to Implicit Bias (January 25, 2017, Charlotte, NC); Implicit Bias I (February 15, 2018, Charlotte, NC); Implicit Bias II (March 15, 2018, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, Leadership Charlotte’s Justice Day, Impicit Bias Panel (February 18, 2016, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Second Annual My Brother’s Keeper Leadership Conference for African American Males and Educators, The Science of Fairness: Exploring Implicit Bias (February 12, 2016, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Charlotte Law Review Pathways to Progress Symposium, Race Matters for Juvenile Justice (RMJJ): Exploring the Data, Science and History of Implicit Bias (February 5, 2016, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, MTSHRM’s 2015 Midsouth Diversity and Inclusion Summit, Let’s Talk: Implicit Social Cognition (The Pros and Cons of Autopilot) (November 18, 2015, Nashville, TN)
• Presenter, North Carolina Commission on thed Administration of Law and Justice, Public Trust and Confidence Committee, Implicit Bias and the Justice System (November 17, 2015, Raleigh, NC)
• Presenter, Race Matters for Juvenile Justice 2015 Annual Conference, The Science of Fairness: Exploring Implicit Bias (October 23, 2015, Charlotte, NC)
• Co-Presenter, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, Northeast/Vance Learning Community, Implicit Social Cognition: The Pros and Cons of Autopilot (April 14-15, 2015, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, Annie E. Casey Foundation Center for Systems Innovation All-Staff Meeting, A Conversation with Deputy Chief of Police (CMPD) Veronica Foster and Judge Louis Trosch, Jr. about the RMJJ Initiative in Charlotte, NC (March 19, 2015, Baltimore, MD)
• Presenter, United States Attorneys for the Western District of North Carolina, Disparities in the Juvenile Court System and the Collaborative Response Race Matters for Juvenile Justice (March 9, 2015, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Mecklenburg County Bar Bench, Bar & Community Committee “Let’s Talk” Continuing Legal Education Series, Let’s Talk: Through the Eyes of the Court, (February 13, 2015, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School’s Leadership Day, Why Understanding Racial Equity Mattters as a Leader (January 13, 2015, Chapel Hill, NC)
• Panelist, The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law, Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in American Jails: A Roundtable Discussion (October 21-22, 2014, New York, NY)
• Presenter, Mecklenburg County Bar’s 50^th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Analyzing the Achievements and Failures in Pursuit of the Dream, Implicit Bias in the Courtroom (July 18, 2014, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, NCJFCJ Annual Conference, Taking the Road Less Traveled in Reducing Disproportionalities for Children of Color (July 14, 2014, Chicago, Illinois)
• Participant, CCC Steering Committee, Strategic Planning Session (March 24-25, 2014, Reno, NV)
• Facilitator, Illinois Administrative Office of the Courts, Judicial Education Conference, Racial Equity and Justice Training (January 27, 2014 and April 7, 2014, Chicago, Illinois)
• Co-Presenter, CASA Webinar Series, Mitigating Implicit Bias & Disparity in the Juvenile Court System (November 13, 2013, National Webinar Presentation)
• Co-Presenter, Guilford County Schools’ Equity Wednesdays, Collaborating to Reduce Disparities in Public Systems (October 9, 2013, Greensboro, NC)
• Guest Speaker, Performance Learning Center High School, Commencement (June 11, 2013, Charlotte, NC)
• Panelist, National Roundtable Congressional Briefing, Trauma Informed Justice: The Critical Role of the Court in the Defending Childhood (March 13, 2013, Washington, DC)
• Guest Lecturer, Washington and Lee University School of Law Martin Luther King Day Celebration, Implicit Bias and the Legal System (January 21, 2013, Lexington, VA)
• Trainer, Cultural Competence and Implicit Bias Training for Shelby County Tennessee, training sponsored by The State Training and Technical Assistance Center and resulting from the U.S. Department of Justice Investigation and Complaint into Constitutional Violations within the Shelby County Juvenile Justice System (January 7-10 and February 12-14, 2013, Memphis, TN)
• Presenter, Prince George’s County Model Court Training, Implementing the Courts Catalyzing Change Preliminary Protective Hearing Benchcard (September 12, 2012, Upper Marlboro, MD)
• Presenter, 2012 Annual Conference of the NCJFCJ, From Get ‘Er Done to Got ‘Er Done: EnsuringYour Collaboration in Challenging Times (March 23, 2012, Las Vegas, NV)
• Presenter, The Ohio State University Kirwan Institute Transforming Race Conference, Visions of Change: When Our Children Fare Well (March 16-17, 2012, Columbus, OH)
• Expert Witness, State of North Carolina v. Marcus Reymond Robinson, 91CRS23143, testified pursuant to Defendant’s Motion for Appropriate Relief pursuant to the Racial Justice Act (February 7-8, 2012, Fayetteville, NC)
• Moderator, UNC Charlotte Constitution Day 2011, Silence is Golden – Miranda Rights at School (September 14, 2011, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, 6^th Statewide Conference Best Practice Courts of Virginia, Court Improvement Project Office of the Executive Secretary – Supreme Court of Virginia, Right from the Start: Courts Catalyzing Change and the Preliminary Protective Hearing Benchcard (September 8-9, 2011, Williamsburg, VA)
• Panelist , 2011 Juvenile Defender Conference, Beyond Adjudication: Direct and Indirect Consequences, Disproportionate Minority Contact (August 19, 2011, Chapel Hill, NC)
• Presenter, 2011 Annual NCJFCJ Conference, Where is Evidence Leading Us Now? Current Trends in Research, Performance Measurement, and Program Evaluation (July 26, 2011, New York, NY)
• Panelist, Courts Catalyzing Change (CCC) Press Roundtable, The Courts Catalyzing Change Preliminary Benchcard Study Report—Testing a Tool for Judicial Decision Making (July 26, 2011, New York, NY)
• Panelist, The U.S. Senate Committee on Finance – Promoting Safe and Stable Families Briefing, Panel 1 – The Role of the Courts in Child Welfare (July 22, 2011, Washington, DC)
• Presenter, 14^th ABA National Conference on Children & The Law, Right from the Start in Addressing Poverty and Race: The CCC Preliminary Protective Hearing (July 15, 2011, Washington, DC)
• Panelist, The Racial Equity Institute, Guilford County Department of Social Services, Guilford County Schools, and Casey Family Programs Symposium, Understanding the Effects of Implicit Bias and Racism in Disparate Outcomes for Children and Families of Color (June 29, 2011, Greensboro, NC)
• Presenter, Texas Center for the Judiciary, Implicit Bias Conference, Right from the Start: Courts Catalyzing Change and the Preliminary Protective Hearing Benchcard (June 6-7, 2011, Austin, TX)
• Presenter, Conference for Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judges Court Improvement Program, Office of the Executive Secretary — Supreme Court of Virginia, Background Information on Courts Catalyzing Change and Progress Made in Mecklenburg County (April 12-13, 2011, Charlottesville, VA)
• Presenter, The Saving F.A.C.E. Approach to Finding Permanent Homes for Every Teen in Our Care – Barring No One, Reflections from the Bench (June 3, 2011, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Conference for Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judges, Implicit Bias Comes to Court: Courts Catalyzing Change and Real World Judicial Strategies to Reduce Disproportionality and Disparity (April 12, 2011, Charlottesville, VA)
• Presenter, Race Matters for Juvenile Justice, Introductory Remarks (January 28, 2011, Charlotte, NC)
• Participant, North Carolina Child Welfare Forum, North Carolina Child Welfare Forum on Black Children in Foster Care: A Discussion Between Practitioners, Policymakers and Philanthropy (September 22, 2010, Raleigh, NC)
• Presenter, AOC Evidence-Based Practice Made Practical, NC Drug Treatment Courts, The Judge as Leader (August 31, 2010, Winston-Salem, NC)
• Presenter, North Carolina District Judges’ Summer Conference, Courts Catalyzing Change – Putting the Tools to the Test (June 23, 2010, Winston-Salem, NC)
• Featured Panelist, Inaugural Foster Care Conference, Johnson C. Smith University, Great Expectations – Challenges and Solutions (April 23, 2010, Charlotte, NC)
• Speaker, NCBA Juvenile Justice & Children’s Rights, Disproportionate Representation of Minority Children in the Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice and School Disciplinary Systems (March 26, 2010, Cary, NC)
• Trainer, NCSC Supreme Court Judicial Conference, Training for Implicit Bias (November 22-24, 2009, Bismarck, ND)
• Presenter, NCJFCJ All Sites Conference, Permanency Planning for Children Department, Plenary: No Model Court is an Island, and The Role of Judicial Leadership: How Juvenile and Family Court Judges Can Help Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy (October 5-8, 2009, Newport Beach, CA)
• Presenter, AOC 2009 Court Improvement Conference, Disproportionate Representation of Minorities in the Child Welfare System and Strong Able Youth Speak Out, and The Reality of MOA Development (September 24, 2009, Raleigh, NC)
• Presenter, UNC Charlotte’s Constitution Day, Strip Search at School, How Far is too Far: A Panel Discussion of the Fourth Amendment (September 17, 2009, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Paulding County Juvenile Court, Courts Catalyzing Change – Achieving Equity and Fairness in Foster Care (August 28, 2009, Dallas, GA)
• Presenter, American Psychological Association 2009 Convention, Courts Catalyzing Change — Achieving Equity and Fairness in Foster Care (August 8, 2009, Toronto, Canada)
• Presenter, NCJFCJ 72^nd Annual Conference, Engaging Families (July 12-15, 2009, Chicago, IL)
• Presenter, 2009 National CASA Conference: Taking Advocacy to a Higher Level. Courts Catalyzing Change: A National Movement to Achieve Equity and Fairness in Foster Care (April 26, 2009, Denver, CO)
• Faculty, 36^th National Conference on Juvenile Justice for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) and the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), Thursday, March 12, 2009 – Engaging Families in the Courtroom; and Friday, March 13, 2009 – Courts Catalyzing Change: Tools to Reduce Disproportionality and Disparity from the Bench (March 11-14, 2009, Orlando, FL)
• Presenter, IVAT International Conference on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, Effective Coordination of Community-Based Strategies for Saving Children & Youth (September 12-17, 2008, San Diego, CA)
• Presenter, American Judges Association 2008 Annual Educational Conference – Courts Catalyzing Change: A National Movement to Achieve Equity and Fairness in Foster Care, (September 7-12, 2008, Maui, HI)
• Presenter, NCJFCJ 71^st Annual Conference, Navigating the Complex Waterways of the Judicial System, (July 27-30, 2008, Norfolk, VA)
• Presenter, Permanency Planning for Children Department Advisory Committee Meeting (NCJFCJ), Courts Catalyzing Change (July 27, 2008, Norfolk, VA)
• Presenter, Courts Catalyzing Change: Achieving Equity and Fairness in Foster Care (NCJFCJ), Opening Remarks (March 30, 2008, Phoenix, AZ)
• Presenter, An Interactive Judicial and Legal Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect Matters (NCJFCJ), Best Practices in Juvenile Court (December 6-7, 2007, Las Vegas, NV)
• Presenter, The North Carolina Collaborative for Children, Youth and Families, Experience with The Implementation of System of Care in North Carolina (December 3, 2007, Winston-Salem, NC)
• Presenter, Juvenile Judges Certification School, Mediation in Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency Cases (October 30, 2007, Chapel Hill, NC)
• Presenter, Safe Schools Advisory Council Meeting, Truancy Court Diversion Program, (September 26, 2007, Raleigh, NC)
• Instructor, Child Abuse and Neglect Institute: The Role of the Judge (NCJFCJ), Collaboration Strategies (June 4-7, 2007, Reno, NV)
• Keynote Speaker, Iowa Children’s Justice Summit (NCJFCJ), Through The Eyes of the Child (March 28-29, 2007, Des Moines, IA)
• Presenter, National Center for State Courts—The Summit on Children, Fostering Local Collaboration (March 8-9, 2007, New York, NY)
• Panelist, Mecklenburg County Bar Association Trial Seminar, All Star Trial Advocacy (January 26, 2007, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, 2007 Colorado Judicial Conference (NCJFCJ), Best of the Family Issues Conference Model Courts (September 19, 2006, Vail, CO)
• Presenter, 2006 Jefferson County Child Protection Conference (NCJFCJ), Barriers to Permanency (August 25, 2006, Louisville, KY)
• Presenter, Permanency Mediation Training, Court Improvement Project, Administrative Office of the Courts, Overview of a Permanency Case (August 23, 2006 & February 6, 2007, Raleigh, NC)
• Presenter, North Carolina Association of County Attorneys and DSS Attorneys, Institute of Government, Mediation in Child Welfare Cases (July 20, 2006, Sunset Beach, NC)
• Presenter, NCJFCJ Annual Conference, Court Agency Community Collaboration: How To Do It (July 18, 2006, Reno, NV)
• Keynote Speaker, North Carolina Central University’s Juvenile Justice Institute Conference, The Impact and Consequences of Juvenile Crime and Violence: A Call for Advocacy (April 28, 2006, Durham, NC)
• Participant, Video for North Carolina Division of Public Health, Children and Youth Branch, Babies Can’t Wait: Protecting Infants Who Are Medically Fragile (March 2006)
• Presenter, Victims Act Model Court All-Sites Meeting, Charlotte Model Court Update, (October 22-26, 2005, Park City, UT)
• Presenter, Cultivating Change: Strategies for Improving Outcomes in Child Welfare, (August 26, 2005, Washington, DC)
• Facilitator, Chatham County Court Collaboration Forum, Culturally Competent Court Practices (April 29, 2005, Pittsboro, NC)
• Radio Presenter, Charlotte Talks with Mike Collins, The Impact of Pupil Re-assignment in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg School System (February 28, 2005)
• Presenter, T.E.A.M. Kickoff, Protecting Our Community’s Middle Ring Schools (February 24, 2005, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, North Carolina Family Court Training Session, Collaboration in and out of the Courtroom (February 1, 2005, Chapel Hill, NC)
• Presenter, System of Care Summer Conference and Training, Judicial Perspectives of SOC (June 4-5, 2003, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, NADCP Annual Juvenile and Family Drug Court Conference, Community Collaboration and the F.I.R.S.T. Program (January 9-11, 2003, Washington, DC)
• Presenter, F.I.R.S.T. Kick-Off Community Training, Judicial Perspective (November 12, 2002, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Victims Act Model Courts All-Sites Meeting (NCJFCJ), Charlotte Model Court Update (September 18-20, 2002, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Family Law Section of the Mecklenburg County Bar, Juvenile Court (October 13, 1999, Charlotte, NC) and Evidentiary Issues (March 15, 2001, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, New Lawyers to the Mecklenburg County Bar Training, Professionalism: A View From the Bench (1999-2001, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Dependency Mediation and Permanency Planning Symposium, Mediation in Juvenile Court (November 29, 2000, Chapel Hill, NC)
• Presenter, Model Court Practices and Programs, Improving Outcomes for Charlotte’s Children and Families (May 4-5, 2000, Charlotte, NC)
• Faculty, Juvenile Justice Section of The North Carolina Bar Association Annual Meeting Seminar, School Exclusion Hearings: Representing the Juvenile Facing Exclusion (October 30, 1998, Charlotte, NC)
• Faculty Dean, Juvenile Law Conference, Mecklenburg County Bar Association (October 9, 1998, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Hot Topics in School Law in North Carolina, Search and Seizure: School Systems and the Fourth Amendment (November 22, 1996, Raleigh, NC)
• Presenter, Community Alternatives for Youth (CAY) and North Carolina Juvenile Services Association (NCJSA), Fall Conference, Legislative Update (November 9, 1995, Charlotte, NC)
• Presenter, Symposium sponsored by The University North Carolina School of Law, Child Action, Justice for Children Corporation, and Legal Services of North Carolina, Permanent Record, Kids in Trouble: Representing Juvenile Delinquents and Other Children in the Juvenile Courts, (March 31, 1995, Chapel Hill, NC)

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS & AWARDS

• Recipient, Ayscue Professionalism Award, Mecklenburg County Bar Association (April 17, 2026, Charlotte, NC)
• Recipient, Julius L. Chambers Diversity Champion Award, Mecklenburg Bar Association (February 20, 2025, Charlotte, NC)
• Recipient, H. Keith Brunnemer, Jr. Award recognizing the individual or group who has made the most significant contribution to mental health during the past year, Mental Health America of Central Carolinas (February 11, 2019, Charlotte, NC)
• Nominee, Dr. John Larkins Award for distinguished human service in promoting equality and justice in the workplace and community by a state employee, NC Governor’s Office, recognized at the 2019 State Employees’ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observance Program (January 18, 2019, Raleigh, NC)
• Judicial Representative, NCJFCJ Days on the Hill, selected to serve with a national team of judges in educating Congress and Federal Agencies regarding the impact of federal legislation and funding streams upon children, families and juvenile courts (March 11-14, 2013; March 10-13, 2014; February 27-March 1, 2018, Washington DC)
• Recipient, Dr. John G. Johnston Award for Excellence in Adolescent Medicine and Health, Teen Health Connection (September 23, 2017, Charlotte, NC)
• Chair, Nominations Committee of National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) (August 1, 2016-August 1, 2020)
• Chair, Mecklenburg County Youth Coalition (a collaborative initiative to improve opportunities for pro-social activities and community connections among court involved youth) (November 14, 2014 to December 31, 2016); Member (November 14, 2014-December 31, 2018)
• Honoree, NC Leaders in the Law, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly and Elon University School of Law (recognized for achieving success in his legal practice, making contributions to society and having had an impact on the legal industry) (September 23, 2016, Raleigh, NC)
• Honoree, The Arts Empowerment Project “New Day” Luncheon (honored for his commitment to empowering at-risk children through the performing and visual arts) (October 7, 2015, Charlotte, NC)
• Board Director, Mecklenburg County Bar, 26^th Judicial District of North Carolina (Class of 2018)
• Member, Juvenile Justice Planning Committee of the Governor’s Crime Commission (appointed by Governor Pat McCrory April 21, 2014-July 31, 2017)
• Co-Chair, Mecklenburg County Bar Association; Bench, Bar and Community Subcommittee (Class of 2015)
• Recipient, Lucille P. Giles Volunteerism Award (presented for tireless efforts on behalf of children and families of Charlotte, NC), Florence Crittendon Services (May 15, 2012, Charlotte, NC)
• Recipient, Innaugral Distinguished Jurist Award (presented for dedicated and loyal service to the citizens of North Carolina), The North Carolina Association of District Court Judges (October 13, 2011, Raleigh, NC)
• Co-Chair, Mecklenburg County’s Race Matters for Juvenile Justice (November 2010-December 2020)
• Child Welfare Law Specialist, Certified by the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) (July 2010)
• Board of Trustees, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) (July 30, 2008-July 29, 2015); Member (1999-present)
• Steering Committee Member, Courts Catalyzing Change: Achieving Equity and Fairness in Foster Care (CCC) (national task force designed to reduce over representation of minority children in foster care) (January 1, 2008-Jnuary 1, 2015)
• Vice Chair, Permanency Planning for Children Department Advisory Committee – NCJFCJ (July 24, 2007-July 25, 2010); Member (August 1, 2005-August 1, 2012)
• Board Member, National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) North Carolina Advisory Board for Child Welfare Attorney Specialty Certification (November 2008-January 2009)
• Co-Chair, 26^th Judicial District Court Clubhouse (a daycare center serving children whose parents have business in the courthouse) (July 1, 2007-July 1, 2008); Board Member (July 1, 2005-July 1, 2008)
• Chair, Institute for Social Capital (a partnership between University of North Carolina at Charlotte and child serving agencies to create a central database for evaluating programs and studying the progress of this community’s children) (September 2006-September 2011); Board Member (August 2004-September 2011; December 2015-December 2020)
• Executive Committee Member, United Agenda for Children (community effort to garner support for and coordinate services for Mecklenburg County’s children and families) (December 2004-December 2006)
• Steering Committee Member, MeckCares Steering Committee (community mental health task force overseeing services for children and families and federal SAMSHA grant) (July 2004-July 2010)
• Co-Founder, Mecklenburg County Truancy Court Program (designed in partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System in weekly Truancy Court in local schools) (June 2001-June 2018)
• Presiding Judge, Shamrock Gardens Elementary School Truancy Court (January 15, 2001-June 1, 2011); McClintock Middle School Truancy Court (September 1, 2008-June 1, 2009); Briarwood Elementary School Truancy Court (September 1, 2011-June 1, 2018)
• Lead Judge, Mecklenburg County’s Child and Family Model Court Program (led efforts to foster best practices and innovative approaches in juvenile court in partnership with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges) (December 1, 2002-May 1, 2008)
• Founding Member, Partnership Committee (leadership team designed to maintain ongoing dialogue between juvenile court judges and the directors of local child serving agencies) (December 1, 2002-present)
• Co-Chair, Mecklenburg County Management Information System Sub-Committee (in partnership with the Administrative Office of the Courts creating and developing the J-Wise automated data system for use in Juvenile Court) (October 2002-May 2003)
• Lead Judge, Youth Treatment Court for Juvenile Offenders (implemented, with collaborative team, a drug treatment court for juvenile offenders and currently serve as the presiding judge for this Court) (November 2002-December 2008)
• Chair, Model Courts Committee of the Family Court of the 26^th Judicial District (January 2002-January 2007)
• Co-Chair, Dependency Mediation Committee (developed and currently administer dependency mediation pilot program for the 26th Judicial District) (February 1999-2008)
• Chair, Juvenile Justice Subcommittee of the Family Court of the 26th Judicial District (January 1, 2000-December 31, 2001); Co-Chair (1999-2000); Member (1999-2018)
• Chairperson, Undisciplined Subcommittee, 26^th Judicial District (1999-2001)
• Board of Directors, Children’s Law Center (advocacy center for children’s rights) (1996-1999)

• Charlotte, NC (RAP/TRAC) (September 2020-December 2023)
• Advisory Board Member, Exodus Foundation (July 2020-present)
• Advisory Board Member, The Arts Empowerment Project (TAEP) (initiative designed to provide access to the arts for at-risk children and their families) (January 2018-present)
• PA Announcer, East Mecklenburg High School Baseball (March 2008-May 2014)
• Board member, North Carolina Bar Association “4ALL” Task Force (initiative to increase civil legal services for the poor in North Carolina) (August 2007-2010)
• Board Member, Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education (January 2007-April 2008)
• President, Student Leadership Team at Randolph Middle School (August 2006-June 2007); Member (August 2005-June 2006)
• Steering Committee Member, T.E.A.M. (Together for Excellence in Middle Ring Schools) (November 2004-December 2006)
• Board Member and Coach, Sardis Dixie Youth Baseball League (1998-2005)
• Coach, St Stephen United Methodist Church Youth Basketball (2002-2008)
• PTA President, Lansdowne Elementary School (August 2000-June 2002)
• PTA Board Member, Lansdowne Elementary School (August 1999-2004)
• President, Randolph Middle School Booster Club (August 2005-June 2007 & August 2008-June 2011); Member, East Mecklenburg High School Booster Club (August 2008-May 2015)
• Volunteer, Devonshire Project (Partnership with Schools Program) (1998-2002)

• Conference Planner, NC-CRED Symposium, Justice Unbound: The Judge’s Duty to Address Bias and Inequality (February 12, 2024, Duke University School of Law)
• Creator, North Carolina Superior Court Order Bank (adopted by Administrative Office of the Courts on June 23, 2021)
• Advisory Board Member, Reimagining America Project: The Truth, Reconciliation, and Atonement Commission of Charlotte, NC (RAP/TRACC) (September 2020—present)
• Advisory Board Member, The Arts Empowerment Project (TAEP) (January 2018—present)
• Class Member, Leadership Development Initiative Class 16, Community Building Initiative (April 26, 2016-April 7, 2017)
• Board Member, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council for the 26^th Judicial District of NC (serving as Judicial Representative) (May 2016-December 2018)
• Member, Mecklenburg County Bar Association; Diversity & Inclusion Committee (Class of 2016); Juvenile Law Section (2013-present); Memorials Committee (2023-present)
• Member, Interim Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Criminal Justice System sponsored by Carolina Advocates for Justice (August 2012)
• Member, North Carolina Commission on Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System (NCCRED) (September 1, 2012-present)
• Certified as Leader in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare: Multi-System Integration, Georgetown Public Policy Institute Certificate Program for Public Sector Leaders (Georgetown University — executive certificate awarded January 31, 2012)
• Participant, NCJFCJ Domestic Violence & Child Maltreatment Strategic Implementation Meeting (August 22-23, 2011, Minneapolis, MN)
• Participant, Annie E. Casey Foundation Child Welfare Strategy Group, Permanency Initiative Consultative Session for Child Welfare Legal Experts (August 27, 2010, Baltimore MD)
• Member, National CASA Association, Inclusiveness and Outreach Committee (NCASA) (August 2011-August 20012)
• Member, Race Matters for Juvenile Justice (January 2010–January 2024)
• Member, National Training Team in Helping Courts Address Implicit Bias, National Center for State Courts (April 27, 2009–2011)
• Member, Family Court Committee, 26^th Judicial District (1999-2002)
• Participant, Child Abuse and Neglect Institute (June 6-11, 1999, Reno, NV)
• Member, Mecklenburg Community Collaborative (state mandated committee to address mental health needs of juveniles) (June 1999-December 2018)
• Volunteer, Mecklenburg County Teen Court (1998-1999); Board Member (2001-2005, 2008-2010)
• Council Member, North Carolina Bar Association Juvenile Justice and Children’s Rights Section; Co-Chair Pro Bono Committee (1997-1999)
• Pupil, Chief Justice William H. Bobbitt American Inns of Court at Charlotte, NC, (1997-1999)
• Member, Mecklenburg County Bar Association; Small Firms/Solo Practitioners Section; Criminal Justice Section; Volunteer Lawyers Program Section (1995-1999)
• Member, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers; Young Lawyers Division (1995-1999)
• Lobbyist, NC General Assembly (on behalf of the Children’s Law Center) (1995)
• Member, Justice for Children Task Force (1994-1997)
• Member, North Carolina Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division (1993-1998)
• Member, Juvenile Sex Offender and Victim Task Force (1993-1994)