--- title: "Chris Dillon | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-dillon" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Chris Dillon North Carolina Court of Appeals · Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: North Carolina Court of Appeals - State: North Carolina - Role: Chief Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - North Carolina Court of Appeals since 2012 and became chief judge in 2024 - Dillon, the second-most senior judge on the court, replaced Donna Stroud, who had held the role of chief judge since 2021 - Chris Dillon, born in 1965 in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a prominent attorney and jurist who currently serves as chief judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals - Selected as chief judge effective January 1, 2024, by N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby, succeeding Donna Stroud in the role - Dillon’s appointment as chief judge followed the tradition of the N.C. Supreme Court chief justice having the authority to appoint the chief appellate judge, a role historically given to the most senior judge - He has also been an adjunct professor, teaching real estate-focused courses at UNC School of Law and Campbell School of Law ### Education - He later completed an LL.M. in Judicial Studies at Duke University in 2018. - University of North Carolina School of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ### Additional information - First elected to the appellate court in a statewide race on November 6, 2012, defeating incumbent Cressie Thigpen, and won re-election in 2020 over Gray Styers. - Date of birth: 1965 - Following law school, he practiced at Young Moore Henderson in Raleigh - focusing on administrative, business, and real estate law. - Dillon has also been a licensed commercial real estate broker for over twenty years and helped establish CapStone Bank, serving as a senior vice president - Needham B. Broughton High School - B.S. in Business Administration - His career reflects a combination of legal practice, judicial service, academic involvement, and civic engagement - Throughout his career, he has participated in civic boards and committees, including DHIC, Inc., the North Carolina Bar Association, and the Friends of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences ## 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/chris-dillon) - [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/chris-dillon) - [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/chris-dillon) - [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) - [Wikidata: Chris Dillon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5106398) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-dillon", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/chris-dillon", "name": "Chris Dillon | KnowJudges", "description": "Chris Dillon, North Carolina Court of Appeals. 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