Sen. R.C. Soles was awarded the University of North Carolina School of Law’s highest honor during Carolina Law Alumni Weekend.

Soles received the UNC School of Law Distinguished Alumni Award last Friday evening at the Alumni Gala at the Carolina Inn. Making the presentation was Sen. Tony Rand of Fayetteville, Class of 1964.

Also receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award was Marion A. Cowell Jr., counsel with Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP, in Charlotte.

“I was totally surprised and overwhelmed when the dean of the law school called a couple of weeks ago,” Soles said. “I thought it was a typical fundraiser call, but when he told me I would be presented the Distinguished Alumni Award I almost fell in the floor. I am most pleased.”

Soles said he was told to invite guests and among those he invited was his father, 96-year-old Robert C. Soles Sr.

“When he found out there would be other family members, friends, law partners and members of the Senate there he elected not to go because of the long ride, and he didn’t want to stay overnight.”

Soles said it was a wonderful experience, but when he thinks of all the successful attorneys who have come through UNC School of Law and could have been chosen for the award, he is overwhelmed.

He was presented a large pewter plate engraved with these words: “The UNC School of Law recognizes and honors R.C. Soles Jr., Class of 1959, as the recipient of the Law Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award for leadership beyond professional excellence.”

In a letter informing him of the honor, Dean Jack Boger wrote: “I look forward to joining with fellow alumni to express the pride we feel in having you as one of the law school’s most distinguished graduates.”

Soles is serving his 16th term in the Senate and has served four terms in the House, making him the longest serving legislator in the history of North Carolina. He was honored in 2005 when the General Assembly declared him an “institution” in North Carolina for his long term service.

The founder and senior partner in the Soles, Phipps, Ray & Prince law firm in Tabor City, he has also served as town attorney for Tabor City and county attorney for Columbus.

He has served a number of important legislative committees through the years, serving as deputy president pro tempore of the Senate 1993-97, Senate majority chairman 1997-present, chaired committees on local government, state government, judiciary, commerce, small business and entrepreneurship.

Soles has been a member of Tabor City Rotary Club since 1959 and has served as president, has served on the executive committee of the county and town Committees of 100, is founding president of the Southeastern Community College Foundation, is a former trustee of the Consolidated University of North Carolina and UNC-Wilmington and a member of Tabor City Baptist Church.

He is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, N.C. State Bar, American Bar Association and Association of Trial Lawyers. He has served as president of the Columbus County Br and secretary and president of the 13th Judicial Bar Association.

Soles is admitted to practice in the N.C. Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the U.S. District Court.

“Sen. Soles’ commitment to the legal profession and the great community is unwavering,” Rand said in his presentation. “While managing all of his commitments, Soles most enjoys spending time with his father, his best friend, Mr. Rob.”