N.C. Chief Justice Beasley Visits Paralegal Technology Students

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WINTERVILLE—Pitt Community College Paralegal Technology students and instructors met with Chief Justice of the N.C. Supreme Court Cheri L. Beasley on April 29.

The meeting, which took place in the Paralegal Technology program’s new law room in the PCC Library, was part of Beasley’s visit to Pitt County, which also included stops at J.H. Rose and South Central high schools.

Born in Nashville, Tenn., Beasley is the first African-American woman to serve as Chief Justice of the N.C. Supreme Court. She assumed office March 1, less than a month after Gov. Roy Cooper appointed her to the chief justice position following the retirement of Mark Martin.

Elected to the N.C. Court of Appeals in 2008, Beasley was appointed to the N.C. Supreme Court in 2012. She won a full, eight-year term on the seven-member court in 2014.

While answering questions from students during her stop at PCC, Beasley stressed the importance of research in making decisions as a member of the N.C. Supreme Court. She also noted that justices must remain impartial and follow the law, and encouraged students to pick up the telephone every once in awhile and build relationships with professionals in the field of law.

Beasley’s trip to Pitt County comes in advance of the N.C. Supreme Court’s special session here on May 14. The session is part of the court’s bicentennial celebration. Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1818, the N.C. Supreme Court has been the state’s highest appellate court since holding its first session in January 1819.

05/01/2019