--- title: "Linda Stephens | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/linda-stephens-8032" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Linda Stephens North Carolina Court of Appeals · Judge ## Profile - Court: North Carolina Court of Appeals - State: North Carolina - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of North Carolina, 2006-present - After retiring in 2017, Stephens joined Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo as Of Counsel - Linda Stephens held the role of an associate judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals from 2006 to 2016, appointed by Governor Mike Easley in 2006 after initially losing a contested election - The first person in her family to graduate high school and became the first female law clerk to Court of Appeals Judge Fred Hedrick - Before joining the court, Stephens was the first female law clerk to NC Court of Appeals Judge Fred Hedrick, worked four years as a Deputy Commissioner at the NC Industrial Commission, and practiced civil litigation for 22 years at Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham, where she became the first female associate and later the first female partner ### Education - University of North Carolina School of Law in — J.D. (1979) - University of South Carolina in — B.A. (1973) ### Additional information - In 2024, she was inducted into the NC Bar Association’s Legal Practice Hall of Fame for her lifetime contributions - She sought re-election in 2016 but was narrowly defeated by Phil Berger Jr - Reappointed in 2007 and later won a full term in a 2008 nonpartisan election - Appointed to this court by Democratic Governor Michael Easley in 2006; she was defeated in the November 2006 election for that seat but was appointed to another vacancy in January 2007 - Practitioner, 2005-2005 - Date of birth: 1950-11-13 - Retired North Carolina judge and attorney, best known for her 11-year tenure on the NC Court of Appeals and her trailblazing role as the first woman in several leadership positions in the state’s legal community - Colleagues and peers describe Stephens as a mentor, trailblazer, and model of professional integrity, whose career spanned nearly four decades and broke multiple barriers for women in North Carolina’s legal system - focusing on appellate practice - First person to receive the highest honors from both the NC Association of Defense Attorneys and the NC Advocates for Justice ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/8032/linda-stephens/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8032/linda-stephens/) - [North Carolina Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8032/linda-stephens/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8032/linda-stephens/) - [Linda Stephens - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Linda_Stephens) - [Legal Practice Hall of Fame Class of 2024: The Honorable Linda Stephens - North Carolina Bar Association](https://www.ncbar.org/member/focus/legal-practice-hall-of-fame-class-of-2024-the-honorable-linda-stephens) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/linda-stephens-8032", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/linda-stephens-8032", "name": "Linda Stephens | KnowJudges", "description": "Linda Stephens, North Carolina Court of Appeals. 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