Throughout her extraordinary four-decade career, Judge Linda Stephens has made a lasting impact on the legal profession in North Carolina. Following her retirement, her legacy as a trailblazer, mentor, and exemplary attorney will continue to inspire us all.
Linda’s journey is one of pioneering achievements. From being the first in her family to graduate high school to becoming the first female law clerk to Court of Appeals Judge Fred Hedrick, she has consistently broken barriers. Her career highlights include:
- 11 years as a NC Court of Appeals Judge
- Four years as a Deputy Commissioner at the NC Industrial Commission
- Nearly 30 years in private practice
- First female associate and later first female partner at a prominent Raleigh law firm
- First female president of the NC Association of Defense Attorneys
Throughout her illustrious career, Linda has been recognized for her fairness, expertise, and dedication. She holds the unique distinction of receiving the highest awards from both the NC Association of Defense Attorneys as well as the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. During her last campaign, her balanced approach earned her endorsements from opposing sides in the courtroom.
As a fitting finale to Linda’s phenomenal career, she will be inducted into the North Carolina Bar Association’s Hall of Fame at their fall meeting. The Hall of Fame honors attorneys who have shown a lifetime of outstanding service, maintained high ethical and professional standards in law practice, and who have served as role models to their fellow lawyers.
Linda has been an invaluable asset to our firm since joining us in 2017. Her colleagues praise her as a kind, compassionate mentor and an outstanding example to all. As she embarks on her next adventure, we wish her all the best on her well-deserved retirement. Her contributions to our firm, the legal community, and the state of North Carolina are immeasurable.
Congratulations, Linda, and thank you for your outstanding service!