Cooper appoints unopposed Robeson judicial candidate to fill District Court vacancy

Gov. Roy Cooper appointed Brooke Locklear Clark to fill a judicial vacancy in Robeson County District Court.

Clark, who has practiced law in that area for more than 13 years, will serve the remainder of Chief District Court Judge J. Stanley Carmical, who was recently appointed to serve as a special Superior Court judge.

“Clark’s experience in the law and deep knowledge of her community make her an ideal choice to serve on the District Court bench in Robeson County,” Cooper said in a news release.

Governor Roy Cooper has appointed Brooke Locklear Clark to preside in Robeson County District Court.

Clark’s prior service includes serving as the attorney for the county Department of Social Services. She is a Family Drug Treatment Court team member and a former parent attorney for this innovative program that helps families dealing with substance abuse.

She is a native of Robeson County and serves on the advisory committee for the local superintendent of schools and is a member of the board of the Friends of the Robeson County Public Library.

The Robesonian wrote an article about her appointment, in which she said was appreciative of the opportunity to impact so many lives.

“In my work with Family Treatment Court and with DSS Court and a lot of the other courts, I’ve seen some powerful things happen and that’s where my heart is, in trying to help families and help these people,” she told the newspaper. “Even in criminal court, we see people coming through who have problems, who have substance abuse issues. To be able to make a difference, that’s my passion, that’s what I want to do.”

Clark is also an unopposed candidate for the seat she was appointed in the midterm election in November. She will be sworn in Wednesday to fill the remainder of this term, which ends Dec. 31, and if she wins the election, will continue to serve.

The Robesonian reports that there are two additional judicial seats up for election in that area — one held Judge Dale Deese, who filed for reelection but was challenged by Robeson County Assistant District Attorney Angelica Chavis McIntyre, and another held by Judge Herbert Richardson, who is retiring. Assistant District Attorney Vanessa Burton and Robeson County Assistant Public Defender Jack Moody Jr. filed as candidates for that seat, according to the newspaper.