---
title: "William Tripp Helms | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-tripp-helms-nc"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# William Tripp Helms

North Carolina District Court · Judge District Court

## Profile

- Court: North Carolina District Court
- State: North Carolina
- Role: Judge District Court
- Service status: former

## Summary

William Tripp Helms — North Carolina District Court

## Sources

- [Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/60355613b99b9b001bc55b19/)
- [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Helms held the role of a District Court Judge for the 20B Judicial District (covering Union County) since 2007, appointed by former Governor Mike Easley and later re‐appointed by Governor Roy Cooper
- “Tripp” Helms III was a long‐serving district court judge for Union County, North Carolina, until his retirement in 2024, when Governor Roy Cooper appointed Christopher Gray to replace him
- He also presided over the 20D Judicial District and was appointed Chief District Court Judge for the 20B Judicial District in 2019
- Before joining the bench, he worked as an attorney for nine years and held the role of clerk of the Superior Court from 2005 to 2006

### Education



### Additional information

- On March 15, 2024, Governor Roy Cooper announced that Christopher Gray had been appointed to fill the vacancy created by Helms’ retirement.
- He was re‐elected in 2012 and ran unopposed in the 2016 general election.
- William F.
- His tenure included handling a wide range of civil and family cases, such as divorce matters
- His retirement marks the end of a nearly two‐decade judicial career in the 20B Judicial District
- He was a member of the Friday Fellowship for Human Relations and was active in community organizations such as the Monroe Rotary Club and the Union County Board of Education