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.

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