--- title: "Matthew T. Houston | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-t-houston" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Matthew T. Houston 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. Judge Houston is a native North Carolinian, having grown up in Duplin County before attending East Carolina University, where he obtained a B.A. in English, and Wake Forest University School of Law, where he obtained a J.D., graduated with honors as a member of the Order of the Coif, and served as Editor-in-Chief of the Wake Forest Law Review. Before joining the Business Court, Judge Houston served as a Special Superior Court Judge appointed from the Third Judicial Division and with chambers based in Wake County. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Houston was a partner with K&L Gates LLP, an international law firm, where his practice focused on the litigation and resolution of complex commercial disputes, with an emphasis on contract disputes, commercial torts cases, and real estate disputes. Judge Houston currently serves as a member of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism and as a council member of the Litigation Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. In addition to his experience as a practicing attorney and judge, Judge Houston is a North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (NCDRC) certified Superior Court mediator and previously taught Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research at Wake Forest University School of Law as an adjunct professor of law. ## 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/matthew-t-houston) - [Official roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/matthew-t-houston) - [North Carolina Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.nccourts.gov/judicial-directory/matthew-t-houston) - [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/matthew-t-houston", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/matthew-t-houston", "name": "Matthew T. Houston | KnowJudges", "description": "Matthew T. 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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.