--- title: "A. Graham Shirley | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/a-graham-shirley" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # A. Graham Shirley North Carolina Superior Court · Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases ## Profile - Court: North Carolina Superior Court - State: North Carolina - Role: Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. Graham Shirley was designated as a Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases effective March 4, 2026. Prior to his designation as a Business Court Judge, Judge Shirley served as both a Resident Superior Court Judge and a Special Superior Court Judge for the Tenth Judicial District for over ten years. He received his undergraduate degree from the Virginia Military Institute and his J.D. from the College of William & Mary where he was a member of the Order of the Coif. Upon graduation from the College of William & Mary, Judge Shirley served in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps as a prosecutor and an administrative law attorney for almost five years. Prior to becoming a Resident Superior Court Judge in 2015, Judge Shirley practiced law for over 21 years, with a focus on construction and commercial litigation. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### remote proceedings Scope: statewide North Carolina law permits judicial officials to conduct proceedings by audio and video transmission, subject to statutory safeguards and case-specific limits. Evidence excerpt: Judicial officials may conduct proceedings of all types using an audio and video transmission in which the parties, the presiding official, and any other participants can see and hear each other. [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote testimony Scope: statewide For North Carolina civil jury proceedings, remote witness testimony requires a record finding of good cause. Evidence excerpt: In a civil proceeding involving a jury, the court may allow a witness to testify by audio and video transmission only upon finding in the record that good cause exists. [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### approved videoconferencing Scope: statewide North Carolina audio/video proceedings must use videoconferencing applications approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Evidence excerpt: All proceedings under this section shall be conducted using videoconferencing applications approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts. [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### official recording Scope: statewide North Carolina Judicial Branch guidance distinguishes official court reporters, digital recording technicians, and later transcription of official recordings. Evidence excerpt: A digital recording technician attends the court proceeding as well and is trained to use special recording equipment and technology to make a recording along with detailed notes of the proceeding. [Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording availability Scope: statewide North Carolina states that not all court proceedings are recorded and identifies when audio recordings may be requested from the clerk. Evidence excerpt: If the clerk or digital recording technician made an audio recording of the proceeding, you may request a copy of the audio recording from the clerk's office in the county where the case is filed. [Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/a-graham-shirley) - [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/a-graham-shirley) - [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/a-graham-shirley) - [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html) - [Obtaining Court Records](https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/obtaining-court-records) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/a-graham-shirley", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/a-graham-shirley", "name": "A. Graham Shirley | KnowJudges", "description": "A. Graham Shirley, North Carolina Superior Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/a-graham-shirley#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/a-graham-shirley#judge", "name": "A. Graham Shirley", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/a-graham-shirley", "jobTitle": "Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "North Carolina Superior Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/a-graham-shirley" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "North Carolina", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/north-carolina" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "A. Graham Shirley", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/a-graham-shirley" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Special Superior Court Judge in North Carolina, a position he has held since February 2025 - In February 2026, Chief Justice Paul Newby designated Shirley to succeed Judge A. Todd Brown on the North Carolina Business Court, effective March 3, 2026 - Prior to this, he was a Resident Superior Court Judge in Wake County from September 2015 to January 2025. - Graham Shirley is a highly experienced judge with a strong background in commercial and construction law, military legal service, and Superior Court adjudication - He also held the role of a trial lawyer in the U.S. Army, providing legal counsel on law and policy issues and representing the Army in courts-martial ### Education ### Additional information - focusing on complex commercial and construction litigation. - Graham Shirley has a distinguished legal career spanning over three decades. - Legal observers note that his background in both military and civilian trial work equips him to handle complex litigation efficiently, maintaining judicial consistency and promoting judicial economy ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [G.S. 7A-49.6. Proceedings conducted by audio and video transmission.](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-500acdaa0896376dfa44b76d) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7a/GS_7a-49.6.html). Collected 2026-07-26.