Raleigh,
NC
Hon. Ashleigh S. Parker is a District Court Judge in the 10th Judicial District, which encompasses Wake County. Prior to her appointment by Governor Roy Cooper in 2017, Judge Parker served the citizens of North Carolina as an Assistant Attorney General at the North Carolina Department of Justice and as an Assistant District Attorney at the Wake County District Attorney's Office. Judge Parker serves as the lead Child Support Judge in Wake County and one of two abuse, neglect, and dependency judges. She is also an instructor for Meredith College’s Paralegal Program where she teaches civil litigation. Judge Parker has written for multiple publications, including the North Carolina State Bar Journal, on topics related to racism, sexism, and natural hair within the legal profession. Judge Parker has held numerous leadership positions in her profession. She is the chair of the NC State Bar Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Committee and is a North Carolina State Bar Councilor. Judge Parker is the former president of the NCCU Law Alumni Association and past president of the 10th Judicial District Bar and Wake County Bar Association where she was the first African American female to be president of both bars and the youngest ever. She is the cofounder of the Capital City Lawyer's Association Law Day Program. Since its inception in 2014, this program has afforded over 1,200 minority middle and high school students the opportunity to engage in a mock trial, interact with minority officers and attorneys, and take a tour of the local jail. Most recently, Judge Parker cofounded the Wake County Legal Support Center which opened in January of 2023. This Center provides free legal information for individuals who wish to represent themselves with domestic and housing issues. In January 2024, Judge Parker was the youngest recipient of the Chief Justice’s Professionalism Award for her commitment to increasing equal access to justice through the founding of the Wake County Legal Support Center. She has also been recognized as Triangle Business Journal, “Leaders in Diversity,” and NC Lawyer’s Weekly “Leaders in the Law.” Judge Parker is a national speaker known for her presentations on leadership, resilience, equity, and purpose. She has been a featured keynote and panelist at conferences, universities, bar associations, and faith-based events across the country.
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