Chief Justice Cheri Beasley (Ret.) is a distinguished former jurist, private practitioner and seasoned ADR professional. Her legal career has been marked by a series of historic achievements and a deep commitment to public service and upholding the rule of law.

In 2019, Chief Justice Beasley made history as the first African American woman to serve as chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. During her tenure, she advocated for judicial reforms such as expanding access to treatment courts and introducing electronic filing systems to improve court accessibility. She also created the Rules Advisory Commission to recommend updates to the N.C. Rules of Civil Procedure and N.C. General Rules of Practice to prepare for electronic filing, telehearings and cloud-based access to court files.

Chief Justice Beasley took her place on the North Carolina bench in 1999, serving for a decade as a district court judge, where she presided over thousands of civil, family, juvenile, criminal and traffic cases. In 2008, she was elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and in 2012, she became an associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Prior to her judicial career, she served as an assistant public defender in Cumberland County, North Carolina.

As a jurist, Chief Justice Beasley presided over numerous cases through pretrial rulings, bench trials, judgments and settlement conferences. She handled and resolved the most challenging and multifaceted matters across a wide range of industries, including those in the complex business and commercial, civil rights, employment, insurance, personal injury and product liability arenas.

After a judicial career that spanned over two decades, Chief Justice Beasley practiced as a partner at McGuire Woods in the Business and Securities Litigation Section and, just before joining JAMS, as a shareholder at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, where she focused on complex business and commercial litigation and economic development.

Chief Justice Beasley is active in bench and bar presentations and events and supports community initiatives that advance education and hunger relief.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

• In 2024, Chief Justice Beasley was appointed as the inaugural Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Professor of Law at Elon University School of Law, teaching courses on appellate practice, professional responsibility and negotiation.
• In 2023, she was a Resident Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics.
• In 2022, she was the Democratic nominee for North Carolina for the United States Senate.

Representative Matters

• Appellate

• Elected and commissioned to hear appeals of right from trial courts and state agencies; authored 400 opinions and decided nearly 1,200 cases
• Business Commercial
• As an attorney, handled a wide range of business and securities matters, including complex corporate litigation and appeals, and served as an advocate in mediations and arbitrations
• Represented a national company in business transactions with franchisees, including allegations of unfair and deceptive trade practices as well as sexual harassment and assault
• Represented physicians on allegations of fraud due to inflated charges
• Represented clinical research organization members on allegations of violating noncompete clause
• Represented foreign companies expanding into the Carolinas in commercial real estate and economic development transactions, including purchasing property and handling infrastructure to meet local, state and federal regulations
• Represented regional companies with hundreds of locations in the Southeast with commercial real estate, including special use and related permits and business regulations
• As a judge, presided over many commercial disputes, including breach of contract cases and business torts
• Bumpers v. Community Bank of Northern Virginia, N.C. App, 367 NC 81 (2013) (Beasley, J. dissenting): A matter involving unfair and deceptive trade practices within consumer loan market
• Civil Rights

• Dickson v. Rucho, 367 N.C. 542, 766 S.E.2d 238 (2014) (Beasley, J. dissenting): Urging that the court should hold that the General Assembly violated the Voting Rights Act and Fourteenth Amendment by using race as a predominant factor in drawing congressional and legislative districts
• Dickson v. Rucho (Dickson II), 368 N.C. 481, 781 S.E.2d 404 (2015) (Beasley, J. dissenting): Reiterating on remand from the Supreme Court of the United States that the improper elevation of race above other factors in the drawing of electoral districts was unconstitutional
• Employment Law

• As an attorney, handled employer authority and employee rights cases involving issues such as due process, vested rights, property interest, wrongful termination, non-compete clauses and reputational harm
• Represented national company in employment disputes, including allegations of sexual harassment and assault
• Morris v. Scenera Research, LLC, 368 N.C. 857, 788 S.E.2d 154 (2016): A matter alleging breach of contract, fraudulent inducement, unjust enrichment and violations of the Wage and Hour Act (WHA) and the Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act (REDA), as well as counterclaims for breach of fiduciary duty and for a declaration that company owned all inventions developed by employee and that employee was not entitled to patent application bonuses
• Wind v. City of Gastonia, N.C. App, 738 S.E.2d 780 (2013) (Beasley, J. concurring): A matter involving a law enforcement officer who brought suit against city for refusing access to case files during internal affairs investigation
• Martinez v. University of North Carolina, N.C. App, 741 S.E.2d 330 (2012) (Beasley, J. concurring): Employment matter involving faculty member challenging salary
• Butler v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Bd. Of Educ., N.C. App, 725 S.E.2d 923 (2012) (Beasley, J. concurring): A matter where a principal alleged wrongful termination
• Beatty v. Jones, N.C. App, 012 WL 381243 (2012) (Beasley, J. concurring): A matter alleging wrongful termination of state trooper for disciplining his K9 companion
• Smith v. City of Fayetteville, N.C. App, 725 S.E.2d 405 (2012) (Beasley, J. concurring): Employment matter involving C. Constitution's directions on taxation citing inalienable rights
• Blair v. Randolph County Bd. Of Educ., 212 N.C. App, 419 (2011) (Beasley, J. concurring): A matter in which a faculty member was allegedly wrongfully terminated by Board of Education
• Follum v. North Carolina State University, 198 N.C. App 389 (2009) (Beasley, J. concurring): A matter in which a faculty member challenged his demotion
• Family Law

• As a Supreme Court justice, heard many family law matters involving distribution of property, child custody and parental rights, domestic violence protective orders (DVPOs) and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) cases, as well as juvenile delinquency and criminal matters; she is certified in both family and juvenile law
• In re: E.J.B., 375 N.C. 95, 846 S.E.2d 472 (2020): Addressing as a matter of first impression the intersection between the Indian Child Welfare Act and North Carolina termination of parental rights proceedings
• Stokes v. Crumpton, 369 N.C. 713, 799 S.E.2d 529 (2017): A matter of first impression involving whether the denial of post-confirmation discovery in an action under the Family Law Arbitration Act was immediately appealable, even if there was no right of appeal under the relevant arbitration statute
• In the Matter of: F.S.T.Y., A.A.L.Y., 374 N.C. 532, 843 S.E.2d 599 (2020): A matter of first impression in which the court found that due process did not require nonresident father to have minimum contacts with the state to establish personal jurisdiction over him in termination of parental rights proceeding
• In re: J.D.B., 196 N.C. App. 234, 674 S.E.2d 795 (2009) (Beasley, J., dissenting): Urging that a proper Miranda analysis requires consideration of a juvenile suspect’s age, aff’d, 363 N.C. 664, 686 S.E.2d 135 (2009), rev’d and remanded sub nom J.D.B. v. North Carolina, 131 S. Ct. 2394, 504 U.S. 261 (2011) (holding that juvenile’s age must be considered as a factor when determining whether he or she was “in custody” for purposes of Miranda)
• Insurance

• Lunsford v. Mills, 367 N.C. 618, 766 S.E.2d 297 (2014): Matter involving insured's right to recover underinsured motorist benefits and insurer’s obligation to pay pre- and post-judgment interest and costs in excess of coverage limits
• Accardi v. Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company, 373 N.C. 292, 838 S.E.2d 454 (2020): Putative class action involving whether insurers can deduct labor and material costs when calculating actual cash value (ACV)
• Personal Injury

• Needham v. Price, 368 N.C. 563, 780 S.E.2d 863 (2015): Matter brought by a mother against the father of her children for intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED) and gross negligence and involving questions of parent-child immunity
• Ward v. Carmona, 368 N.C. 35, 772 S.E.2d 162 (2015): Motor vehicle collision matter in which jury found that both drivers were negligent, precluding plaintiff recovery; appellate court affirmed; on discretionary review, the Supreme Court of North Carolina held that there was sufficient evidence to support the jury’s finding
• Product Liability

• Represented a national company, resulting in numerous individual product liability settlements that included issues such as personal injury and unfair and deceptive trade practices
• Real Property

• Willowmere Community Association, Inc. v. City of Charlotte, 370 N.C. 553, 809 S.E.2d 558 (2018): Matter of first impression in which homeowners’ associations brought an action to challenge the rezoning of abutting properties for multifamily housing

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

Memberships and Affiliations

• American Bar Association, 1993–2024
  • Member, Appellate Judges Conference, 2009–2020
  • Member, Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense, 2016–2020
  • Member, Standing Committee on Diversity in the Judiciary, 2011–2012
• National Bar Association, 1994–2005, 2017–2024
  • Member, Judicial Council, 2017–2024
• National Association of Women Judges, 2017–2020
• North Carolina Bar Association, 1993–2024
  • Vice President, Board of Governors, 2015–2016
  • Appellate Rules Committee, 2013–2020
  • Women in the Profession, 2012–2020
  • Litigation Council, 2009–2011
• North Carolina Bar Foundation
  • Endowment Committee, 2011–2018
• North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys, 1995–2024
• North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers, 1994–2024
  • Board of Governors, 1996–1999
• North Carolina Association of District Court Judges, 1999–2008
• North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1996–1999
• North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission, 2014–2020
  • Chair, 2019–2020
  • Vice-Chair, 2014–2019
• Cumberland County Bar Association, 1994–2018
  • Professional Standards Committee, 2006–2009
• Founder and First President, Fayetteville Bench & Bar, 1994–2018
• Tenth Judicial District Bar and Wake County Bar Association, 2009–2024

Community Involvement

• The Women’s Forum of North Carolina, 2007–2016
  • Board of Directors, 2011–2013
• 555th Parachute Infantry Association, Fayetteville/Ft. Bragg Chapter, 2001–2012
• Junior League of Raleigh, 2013–2024
• Junior League of Fayetteville, 1998–2013
  • Board of Directors, Parliamentarian 2001–2006
• NAACP Life Member, 1997–2024
• Board of Trustees, Fayetteville Museum of Art, 1998–2021
• Board of Directors, Women’s Center of Fayetteville, 2005–2010
• Community Advisory Council, Fayetteville State University, 2006–2010
• Board of Trustees, First Baptist Church, Raleigh, 2017–2020

Selected Awards and Honors

• Sandra Day O’Connor Endowed Professorship, Elon University School of Law, 2024
• Inductee, Order of the Long Leaf Pine, 2023
• Liberty Bell Award, North Carolina Bar Association, 2021
• Recipient, Mary Harriman Community Leadership Award (highest award), The Association of Junior Leagues International, 2020
• Honoree, American Bar Association, 2020
• Honoree, Hall of Distinguished Alumni, Rutgers University, 2019
• Recipient, WRAL Celebrating Black History Award, 2019
• Recipient, Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Tennessee
• Recipient, Capitol Area Public Service Award, National Council of Negro Women, 2018
• Honoree, Legal Legends of Color Award, North Carolina Bar Association, 2016
• Honoree, Wiley A. Branton Symposium, National Bar Association, 2015
• Recipient, Chancellor’s Medallion and Honorary Doctorate, Fayetteville State University, 2014
• Recipient, Honorary Doctorate, North Carolina Central University, 2014
• Recipient, Gwyneth B. Davis Award, North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys, 2014
• Inductee, Hall of Fame, African American Alumni Alliance, Rutgers University, 2013

Selected Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, “The Erosion of the Judicial Independence of Our Judiciary and the Politicization of Judicial Elections,” National Association of Women Judges, October 2024
• Keynote Speaker, “Public Faith in Judicial Integrity,” Legal Netlink Conference, September 2024
• Co-Presenter, “Strategic Management of Complex Litigation: Knowing Your Decision-Makers,” Association of Corporate Council, South Carolina Chapter CLE, May 2024
• Keynote Speaker, Harvard Kennedy School, Black Policy Conference, April 2023
• Keynote Speaker, Black Farmers of North Carolina, Operation Spring Plant Banquet, January 2023
• Panelist; Voting Rights Forum; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., International Conference; Miami; July 2022
• Keynote Speaker, “Proud History to Bright Future,” 100th Anniversary, Alumni Association of Douglass College (Rutgers University), May 2022
• Presenter, “Masters in Civil Advocacy”, A View From the Bench,” North Carolina Advocates for Justice, October 2020
• “HBCU Road to Justice Tour: A Town Hall Series with Chief Justice Cheri Beasley,” September-October 2020
• Public Address, “Recommitting to the Work of Justice,” June 2020
• Panelist, “Courts on the Frontline: Providing Access to Justice While Protecting Public Health During a Pandemic,” National Association of Women Judges, May 2020
• Speaker, “A Virtual Chat With Chief Justice Beasley,” NC Association of Black Lawyers, April 2020
• Panelist, “COVID-19 and Safe Access to the Courts: Strategies and Future Planning,” American Bar Association, March 2020
• Presenter, “Ethics, Professionalism and Modernizing Our State Court System,” Mecklenburg County Bar All-Star Trial Advocacy, February 2020
• Speaker, The International Civil Rights Center & Museum’s Annual Gala (celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Greensboro lunch-counter sit-in movement), February 2020
• Commencement Speaker, Elon University School of Law, December 2019
• “Chief Justice Cheri Beasley: A Woman of Her Times,” PoliticaNC, October 2019
• Keynote Speaker “What It Takes to Be a Woman Lawyer,” Marion Griffin Chapter, Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women Annual Symposium, September 2019
• Commencement Speaker, NC Central University, Graduate School, May 2019
• Commencement Speaker, Fayetteville State University, May 2019
• Commencement Speaker, North Carolina State University Administrative Officers Management Program, April 2019
• Commencement Speaker, The University of Tennessee College of Law, 2018
• “From Public Defender to Supreme Court Justice: A Conversation with Justice Cheri Beasley”; Presented by the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section, Pacific Juvenile Defender Center, John M. Langston Bar Association and Asian Pacific American Bar Association; Los Angeles; July 2018
• Panelist, “13th Annual Summit on Indigent Defense Improvement,” Presented by the American Bar Association (ABA) Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense (SCLAID), Chicago, 2018
• Speaker, Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, Thurgood Marshall Symposium, February 2018
• Speaker and Contributor, “Independence of the Courts and Rule of Law in the Trump Era,” Presented by The Brennan Center, NYU, November 2017
• Presenter, Leadership and Congruence, UNC School of Law, September 2017
• Seminar Leader, Court Management for Assistant Heads of Court; Presented by the American Bar Association; Rule of Law Initiative (ROLI); Strengthening the Capacity of the Egyptian Judiciary Project; Cairo, Egypt; October 2016
• Speaker, “Judicial Selection and the Effects on Women and African Americans,” Center for American Politics, Seton Hall School of Law, 2016
• Presenter, “J.D.B. v. North Carolina and Juvenile’s Ability to Understand Rights During Interrogation,” National Juvenile Defender Leadership Summit, Atlanta, October 2016
• Speaker, Law Professionalism Series, North Carolina Central University, April 2016
• Presenter on judicial selection and fundraising for judicial candidates; Solutions Summit; Brookings Institute; Washington, D.C.; January 2016
• Speaker, Pro Bono Week, Wake Forest University School of Law, October 2015
• Panelist, “Money in Politics as a Civil Rights Issue”; Presented by Democracy NC, The Institute for Southern Studies, North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections, Southern Coalition for Social Justice and the American Constitution Societies at UNC School of Law and NCCU School of Law; October 2015
• “Magna Carta, Juvenile Justice, Civil Rights and Judicial Selection”; Council of State Governments’ Magna Carta Delegation; Egham, U.K.; August 2015
• Faculty, Advanced Trial Advocacy, National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), 2006–2007

Background and Education

• Shareholder; Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, P.A.; Raleigh, North Carolina; 2024
• Fellow, American Mainstream Policy Leadership Institute, 2023
• Resident Fellow; Institute of Politics; Harvard Kennedy School; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Fall 2023
• Partner; McGuireWoods LLP; Raleigh, North Carolina; 2021
• Chief Justice, Supreme Court, North Carolina, 2019–2020
• Associate Justice, Supreme Court, North Carolina, 2012–2019
• Associate Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals, 2008–2012
• District Court Judge; 12th Judicial District; Cumberland County, North Carolina; 1999–2008
• Assistant Public Defender; Cumberland County, North Carolina; 1994–1999
• Certificate in Mass Tort and Multidistrict Litigation, Bolch Judicial Institute, Duke University School of Law, 2025
• The Program on Negotiation, Harvard Law School, 2024
• M., Judicial Studies, Duke University School of Law, 2018
• Oxford University Summer Program, 1990
• J.D., The University of Tennessee College of Law, 1991
• B.A., Rutgers University/Douglass College, 1988

Bar Admissions

• North Carolina
• United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina
• United States Supreme Court