On March 14, six of the fifteen judges on the North Carolina Court of Appeals traveled to HPU Law to hear oral arguments in two, real-world appellate cases. Hosting the court was a high honor for a law school that has yet to launch its inaugural class this August.
Over 120 audience members came to watch the arguments, including undergraduate students, admitted law students, members of the High Point and Greensboro bar associations, extended and full-time HPU law faculty members, and friends of the school who traveled from near and far.
Prior to the arguments, Founding Dean and Professor of Law Mark Martin welcomed those in attendance and provided a brief overview of the function of the Court of Appeals. The court session was then opened by HPU’s own Chief of Police (and a lawyer herself) Debra Duncan.
The first panel heard the arguments in State of North Carolina v. Norman, which addressed the legality of a search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment. Chief Judge Chris Dillon, Judge John Marsh Tyson, and Judge April Wood—all extended faculty members listed on the HPU faculty page—sat on this panel.
Jones v. Corn, the second case, involved a real estate dispute among siblings of deceased parents. This case was heard by Judge Donna Stroud, Judge Allegra Collins, and Judge Jeffrey Carpenter—also all members of the HPU Law extended faculty.
After both arguments ended, the judges participated in an audience Q&A. Forbidden by the Code of Judicial Conduct from discussing the substance of the cases, the Court answered questions regarding procedural steps following oral arguments and other practical details of its functions.
As a capstone to the event, the Court and its viewers moved to a nearby ballroom on campus for an evening reception. There, everyone mixed and mingled over hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and beverages. The students were able to meet and interact with the judges, HPU Law faculty, and attorneys who attended.
Several judges and members of the High Point Bar Association stayed until the very end of the reception, enjoying the fellowship with one another. This comradery exemplifies the warm relationship High Point Law is already fostering between North Carolina’s high courts and the statewide legal community.
In reflecting on the event, Dean Martin said, “HPU Law was honored to host the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Hosting the event flows from our school’s vision to promote educational opportunities that serve our students as well as the HPU and local communities. We are thankful to the judges who attended the event and were so gracious with their time in fielding questions during the Q&A session and interacting with attendees during the reception. We look forward to their visit becoming an important annual tradition at the law school!”