On October 23, 2025, the Kenneth F. Kahn School of Law at High Point University hosted the N.C. Court of Appeals as it heard oral arguments in the case of Estate of Clements v. ARC NCCHRNC001, LLC., (25-488). A three-judge panel consisting of Chief Judge Chris Dillon, Judge April Wood, and Judge John Tyson presided over the hearing.
The N.C. Court of Appeals held its session in the 120-seat courtroom which serves as a classroom and lecture facility. The Law School, now in its second year of instruction and since August of this year housed in its own distinct building on the High Point University Campus, provided a unique and special location for the Court to hear the case. The Court of Appeals was the first court to hold session in the recently dedicated building.
High Point Law’s Dean, Mark Martin, who himself is a former judge of the N.C. Court of Appeals, as well as a former chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court, has high expectations for the law students to experience a close connection with the judiciary at the local, state, and federal level. He noted that for “many law students and particularly attorneys – viewing or even appearing before an appellate court is not a common experience and for our law students to have such an opportunity at this time in their ‘careers’ is a tremendous benefit to add to their legal education.”
During the hearing the entire first-year law student class, as well as many of the second-year law students, law faculty and staff, and members of the legal community were in attendance to observe the oral arguments – filling the courtroom. At the conclusion of the session, the Judges and Attorneys who participated in the oral argument provided a rare opportunity for the law students to discuss what they had just experienced in a forum-styled setting.
Following the forum discussion, those in attendance were provided lunch which was sponsored by the High Point and Greensboro Bar Associations. Even during the luncheon, the Judges and local bar members provided an opportunity for the law students to engage in further questions and discussion about the case and appellate procedure.
Of further note, in keeping with the expectation of the Dean to have close connections between the students and members of the judiciary, the law school is honored to have both Chief Judge Chris Dillon and Judge April Wood teaching classes this semester with Chief Judge Dillion teaching Real Estate Transactions and Judge April Wood teaching Negotiations.
Dean Mark Martin further stated:
“We are so grateful for the N.C. Court of Appeals’ collaboration with High Point Law and the many ways they are instructing and mentoring our students. From holding court in our new courtroom, to teaching classes, to welcoming students to participate in court internships, we so appreciate their collaboration.”
Dean Martin plans to have many such events at High Point Law with various courts—taking advantage of the facility’s spacious setting and the ability for those courts to provide an opportunity to engage the community of law students in a real time, life skills engaging atmosphere.