Harper Tate
389 Country
Raleigh, N.C. – Governor Josh Stein announced on February 21, 2025, the appointment of William “Bill” Jones as a District Court Judge for Judicial District 43, encompassing Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties. Jones fills the vacancy left by Judge Roy Wijewickrama, who was elevated to the Superior Court in November 2024.
Jones brings a wealth of legal experience to the bench, having spent over two decades as a solo practitioner with a focus on domestic and criminal law. He also served as an Assistant District Attorney for the 30th Judicial District from 1998 to 2003. A longtime resident of Judicial District 43, Jones is a graduate of Western Carolina University, where he earned his B.A., and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill School of Law, where he received his J.D.
In announcing the appointment, Governor Stein praised Jones’ qualifications, saying, “Bill brings decades of experience as a solo practitioner and Assistant District Attorney, giving him the record to succeed in this role.” He added, “As a longtime resident of Judicial District 43, he’s the right person for the job, and I look forward to his service on the District Court.”
Jones’ appointment marks the latest in a series of judicial selections by Stein, reflecting his administration’s focus on appointing seasoned legal professionals with deep community ties.
Jones is expected to begin his tenure on the District Court in the coming weeks, pending standard procedural steps, bringing his extensive courtroom experience to bear in serving western North Carolina’s seven-county region.
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