North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper named some judicial appointments to district courts on Friday. Among them was one who will serve Chatham and Orange Counties.
Cooper named Christopher Todd Roper as the next District Court Judge for Judicial District 15B, which covers the two counties. Roper will be filling the vacant seat left by Joseph Buckner, who retired in July after serving 25 years.
Roper has been a partner with Moody, Williams Roper & Lee, LLP, which is based out of Siler City and Pittsboro, since 1989. After attending the University of Alabama on a football scholarship, Roper received his bachelor’s degree from the school. He went on to earn his juris doctorate degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.
In addition to Roper, Cooper named Reggie McKnight and George Cleland to serve in Mecklenberg County and Forsyth County, respectively.
“These three distinguished people offer extensive legal experience and I am grateful they have agreed to serve in these districts. I am confident they will preside justly and honorably,” said Cooper in a release with the announcement.
The district currently has another vacant seat the governor will fill soon. Superior Court Judge Carl Fox announced in August he will be stepping down to begin retirement on October 1.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.
Related Stories
‹
Gov. Cooper Appoints Joal Broun as New Orange, Chatham County District Court JudgeCarrboro resident Joal Broun is set to become Orange and Chatham Counties’ latest district court judge. Governor Roy Cooper appointed Broun, who currently works for the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, to fill Judge Beverly Scarlett’s seat in District 15B. Scarlett retired from her role in March, after serving on the bench […]
Nieman Sworn In as Orange, Chatham County's District AttorneyThe 2022 election cycle brought about many changes among our community’s representation in the state and federal governments. But there was also a big change for Orange and Chatham County at district attorney.
![]()
Longtime Chatham, Orange County Superior Court Judge Carl Fox to RetireLongtime Superior Court Judge Carl Fox has announced his plans to retire within the next few weeks. Fox shared a message on his Facebook page Friday night saying he will be retiring from his position as Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for Judicial District 15B. He has served the position for 14 years and was the […]
![]()
Hathaway Pendergrass Announces 2020 Run for District Court JudgeLocal attorney Hathaway Pendergrass announced on Wednesday his intention to run for a District Court Judge seat in Orange and Chatham counties in 2020. Pendergrass made the announcement on The Ron Stutts Show on 97.9 The Hill WCHL on Wednesday morning. “It’s our community, simply put,” Pendergrass said Wednesday when announcing why he would be […]
Early Voting in the 2026 General Election; Where to Go in Orange, Durham, and Chatham CountiesEarly voting for North Carolina's general election begins on Thursday. Here is what you need to know to cast your vote.
Local Government Meetings: October 5-9, 2026This week in local government: Orange County Commissioners discuss data centers and property revaluation, while Carrboro talks composting.
Local Government Meetings: September 28-October 2, 2026This week in local government: Tongde Wu officially takes her oath of office as the newest member of the CHCCS school board.
Local Government Meetings: September 14-18, 2026This week in local government: a greenway network in Chapel Hill, and busing concerns and elementary school redistricting for CHCCS.
Orange and Chatham County School Districts Celebrate Performance Milestones for 2025-26 YearThe Orange County, Chatham County and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City school districts are celebrating positive performance trends demonstrated in the latest accountability report from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. All 13 Orange County Schools earned a performance grade of “C” or higher for the 2025-26 school year, marking the first time since 2017 that […]
Red Cross Declares Blood Crisis: Here's Where You Can Donate LocallyThe American Red Cross is calling for immediate blood donations, declaring a national blood crisis for the second time in history.
›
