--- title: "Robert James Conrad Jr. | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-james-conrad-jr-706" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Robert James Conrad Jr. U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina · Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina - 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, District Court, W.D. North Carolina, 2005-February 28, 2025 - U.S. District Judge, Western District of North Carolina Appointed by President George W. Bush on February 14, 2005, confirmed by the Senate on April 28, 2005, and commissioned June 2, 2005 held the role of Chief Judge from 2006 to 2013 Assumed senior status May 17, 2023, and retired February 28, 2025 - 1989-2001 U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, 2001-2005 ### Education - University of Virginia School of Law — J.D. (1983) - Clemson University — B.A. (1980) ### Additional information - 2024-present Board member, Federal Judicial Center, 2024-present - Director, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Appointed by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. on March 1, 2024, and serves as Secretary to the Judicial Conference of the United States Also a board member of the Federal Judicial Center - Member, Judicial Conference of the United States, 2016-2021 - Private practice, 1983-1988 - Born May 17, 1958, Chicago, Illinois - Date of birth: 1958-01-01 - Robert James “Bob” Conrad Jr. is an American judge and federal judicial leader, best known for his service as a U.S. District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina and as the current Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts - Birth place: Chicago, IL ## 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.fjc.gov/history/judges/conrad-robert-james-jr) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/706/robert-james-conrad-jr/) - [U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/706/robert-james-conrad-jr/) - [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/706/robert-james-conrad-jr/) - [Judicial Nominations - Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr.](https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/infocus/judicialnominees/conrad.html) - [Wikidata: Robert J. Conrad](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7345853) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-james-conrad-jr-706", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-james-conrad-jr-706", "name": "Robert James Conrad Jr. | KnowJudges", "description": "Robert James Conrad Jr., U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. 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