Long-time Clinton attorney and current District Court Judge Mario White was appointed Monday as the chief of the newly created judicial District 5A, which consists of Duplin, Jones and Sampson counties.
In an interview during a break in District Court Tuesday, White expressed gratitude for the appointment, noting that he was actually still trying to process the news that he was actually given nearly a week earlier than the official announcement.
“I’m still waiting for it to sink in,” a humbled White said, recalling his initial reaction when he was called to N.C. Chief Justice Paul Newby’s office last week and given the news.
“It’s very humbling and very gratifying,” the judge attested.
White’s appointment is effective Jan. 1, 2027.
According to a release issued by Newby’s office, White’s appointment comes on the heels of a change in the judicial district, one made possible under the new state budget. Beginning in January, District 5, which encompassed Jones, Onslow, Duplin and Sampson counties, will be divided into two judicial districts— 5A, which will include Sampson, Jones and Duplin, and 5B, which will consist solely of Onslow County.
The budget provides for an existing district court judge position in District 5 to be elevated to chief district court judge as part of the division.
“That district split is what made this possible,” White said Tuesday. “Had it not been for that split, I might never have been given this opportunity.”
White called the appointment “a great honor,” and said he would give the new position his full attention.
“To even be considered for the position is humbling. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity.”
In the release, Newby stressed his belief in White’s ability to carry out the new duties he has been given, duties that will include overseeing the judges’ calendars, each county’s magistrate and what goes on in each district court.
“Judge White’s experience as both a practicing attorney and District Court judge, along with his knowledge of the communities he serves, make him well-suited to provide leadership for the newly established District 5A,” said Newby.
“I am confident he will continue to uphold the judiciary’s constitutional responsibility to provide justice without favor, denial or delay.”
White was appointed to the District Court in 2020 and has served the counties that make up the former District 4, including Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson.
Before taking the bench, White was a solo practitioner at the Mario M. White Law Office in Clinton, a firm he established in 1993. He also taught criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law and business law at Sampson Community College from 1994 to 1998.
The Craven County native said moving from his law practice to the bench had been a full circle moment, allowing him to see from a different vantage point.
“After having practiced for so many years and being in about every area of law in District Court, I had seen it all from a lawyer’s perspective. So being a judge was like the icing on the cake, allowing me to see things far differently than when I was an attorney.”
As chief judge, he will have yet another perspective, a broader one, he said, than even the position he currently holds.
But despite the oversight he will have across three counties, White shifted much of the credit for what he called the “behind-the-scenes” work of the court to staff.
“The judges often get all the credit, but it could not happen without the remarkable staff we have. Without them, honestly, I don’t know where we would be. We have an absolutely wonderful staff of remarkable people who get the job done and done well. I cannot say enough about each of them,” the newly appointed chief judge said.
As the appointment continues to sink in, White said he will continue doing his best to serve the judiciary in the counties where he currently serves a District Court judge.
“I am truly, truly honored and deeply grateful for this opportunity,” White said.
White earned his Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina Central University and his Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law. He is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers.
He is married to Renee White. They have three children and four grandchildren.