Fairley is new district judge

William F. “Bill” Fairley of Southport was named last week as the new District Court judge for Bladen, Brunswick and Columbus counties replacing Superior Court Judge Douglas Sasser.

Gov. Mike Easley made the announcement of his selection on Dec. 21 after The News Reporter had published its Dec. 24 edition.

Fairley, semi-retired for several years, has been a member of the 13th Judicial District as an attorney for many years and has 26 years experience in civil and criminal law.

“Bill Fairley has distinguished himself as both a legal scholar and an exceptional trial attorney. I am sure he will serve the 13th Judicial District with distinction,” the governor said.

Fairley was one of three lawyers nominated by the district bar association to succeed Sasser, named to the Superior Court bench in October as successor to William C. Gore Jr. of Whiteville. Gore retired in August and was named the state’s Commissioner of Motor Vehicles by Easley in October.

Fairley said he does not plan to use the district judge’s post as a springboard to another office. Fairley lost a tight race last year to Sen. R.C. Soles Jr. for the N.C. Senate.

The new judge said he was “obviously pleased” the governor selected him as the newest District Court judge. Assistant District Attorney Cathi Radford of Brunswick County, and Whiteville lawyer Matt Tedder were the other two nominees forwarded by the governor by the district bar group.

Fairley’s selection gives Brunswick County three of the six District Court seats in the three-county area. Others from Brunswick are Napoleon Barefoot Jr. and Marion Warren.

Chief District Judge Jerry Jolly and Tom Aldridge Jr. are from Columbus County, and Nancy Phillips represents Bladen.