Chief Justice Mark Martin
Chief Justice Mark Martin is a distinguished jurist and leader with over 30 years of experience in law, public service, and education. From serving as the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court to his current role as Founding Dean of High Point University School of Law, Mark Martin’s career has been marked by his dedication to justice, reform, and the rule of law. Explore his journey, contributions to the judiciary, and his vision for legal education.
Chief Justice Mark Martin earned his J.D. with honors from the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the North Carolina Journal of International Law & Commercial Regulation. He also holds a B.S., summa cum laude, from Western Carolina University and an LL.M. in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia. Mark’s academic achievements highlight his deep commitment to legal excellence.
Education
After graduating from law school, Chief Justice Mark Martin clerked for U.S. District Judge Clyde H. Hamilton before joining the McNair Law Firm in Raleigh, North Carolina. He later served as Legal Counsel to Governor James G. Martin and was appointed as a Resident Superior Court Judge in 1992. From 1994 to 1999, Martin served on the NC Court of Appeals, before becoming an Associate Justice of the NC Supreme Court in 1999 and Chief Justice in 2014. He retired in 2019 to become Dean of Regent University School of Law and later High Point University.
Career
Mark Martin has actively contributed to various roles within the American Bar Association (ABA), including serving on the Advisory Commission to the World Justice Project, the Executive Committee of the Appellate Judges Conference, and the Coalition for Justice. He chaired the ABA Judicial Division in 2013 and led several committees, such as the Program Planning Committee of the Appellate Judges Education Institute (AJEI). Martin also contributed to the ABA Judicial Division Program Committee as Chair in 2007-08, reflecting his leadership in advancing judicial education and justice initiatives.
Professional involvement
