Judge Carolyn Thompson is a seasoned jurist who is committed to the Constitution and the rule of law. She was appointed to the North Carolina Court of Appeals by Governor Roy Cooper in 2023. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Hampton University and her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

 

Before her appointment to the appellate bench, she served as a District Court Judge, Superior Court Judge, and Deputy Commissioner for the Industrial Commission, accounting for over 26 years of combined legal and judicial experience. During her career as an attorney, she successfully maintained a family law practice for 13 years while simultaneously representing the Department of Social Services in prosecuting petitions of abuse, neglect, and nonsupport of children. Her practice always included representing victims of domestic violence and their children.

 

Judge Thompson has been active in her community as a volunteer Teen Court Judge and a youth mentor for over ten years to help first-time youth offenders accept responsibility for their conduct while learning about the court system. She is also an ordained minister, where she provides domestic violence awareness workshops for the faith community.

 

Her judicial philosophy is to interpret the law and apply the same to the facts of each case without bias or influenced agendas. For Judge Thompson, true justice is independent of divisive ideologies and social differences. As a public servant, she is a firm believer in the idea that "to whom much is given, much is required." She is mindful that she stands on the shoulders of generations who paved the way for her academic and legal career and is committed to honoring their sacrifices through service to others. 

 

She and John have a blended family of five adult children and five grandchildren. They are pet parents to Zeus, Oliver, and Boaz. They are empty nesters in Granville County.