As of January 5, 2026, Mark Kleinschmidt’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Name as it appears on the ballot: Mark Kleinschmidt

Party affiliation, if any: Democrat

Campaign website: mayormark.org

Occupation & employer: Attorney, Tin Fulton Walker & Owen

Years lived in Chapel Hill: Almost 27 years

Mark Kleinschmidt | INDY Week

Mark Kleinschmidt has lived in Chapel Hill for almost 27 years.

Mark Kleinschmidt

Mark Kleinschmidt currently works as an attorney at Tin Fulton Walker & Owen.

Mark Kleinschmidt previously worked as an attorney at Tin Fulton Walker & Owen.

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Mark is the Clerk of Superior Court in Orange County and was first elected in 2018.

2026 North Carolina General Election

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Works as an attorney at Tin Fulton Walker & Owen, providing legal advice and representation to clients.

As an attorney, he provided legal advice and representation to clients.

As a superior court clerk, he records, files, and maintains court records and official documents.

- As an attorney, he provided legal advice and representation to clients.
- As a superior court clerk, he records, files, and maintains court records and official documents.

Legal Experience

Kleinschmidt has been in office since 2014 and has focused on improving access to the court system for all residents. His initiatives include implementing new technology to streamline processes and enhance customer service.

Orange County Clerk of Court Mark Kleinschmidt Wins State, National Honors

“Domestic violence eFiling eliminates a hurdle for citizens by providing a more efficient and safe experience,” said Mark J. Kleinschmidt, clerk of superior court of Orange County. “The system helps the court be better stewards of the public and further reassures citizens that they have advocates supporting them through the process.”

Domestic Violence eFiling System Now Available in Orange County to Increase Victim Safety | North Carolina Judicial Branch

Kleinschmidt has served as Orange County Clerk of Superior Court since 2018. During his tenure, he has worked to strengthen court services and support the fair administration of guardianship matters for families and vulnerable individuals across the community.

Orange County Clerk Mark Kleinschmidt Honored Nationally for Leadership in Guardianship Law | North Carolina Judicial Branch

Implemented technology initiatives to streamline court processes and enhance customer service.

Said electronic filing for domestic-violence cases provides a safer, more efficient experience and helps residents access court advocates.

As clerk of superior court, worked to strengthen court services and support fair administration of guardianships for families and vulnerable individuals.

- Implemented technology initiatives to streamline court processes and enhance customer service.
- Said electronic filing for domestic-violence cases provides a safer, more efficient experience and helps residents access court advocates.
- As clerk of superior court, worked to strengthen court services and support fair administration of guardianships for families and vulnerable individuals.

Judicial Administration

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- As a superior court clerk, he records, files, and maintains court records and official documents.

- Said electronic filing for domestic-violence cases provides a safer, more efficient experience and helps residents access court advocates.
- As clerk of superior court, worked to strengthen court services and support fair administration of guardianships for families and vulnerable individuals.

5. The Honorable Mark Kleinschmidt, Orange County Clerk of Court : Mark Kleinschmidt received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and after teaching high school for several years, received his J.D. degree from UNC School of Law in May 2000. Kleinschmidt served on the Chapel Hill Town Council from 2001 to 2009. He was elected Mayor of Chapel Hill in November 2009. In 2018, Kleinschmidt was elected as Orange County’s Clerk of Superior Court and was re-elected in 2022. Kleinschmidt has served the last two years on the Executive Committee of the Conference of Clerks of Superior Court (CCSC) and serves as chair of the CCSC Joint Bar/Clerk Task Force, and the CCSC Human Resource Committee. Prior to being elected Clerk, Kleinschmidt practiced law for more than 18 years, first at the Center for Death Penalty Litigation, then as Executive Director of the Fair Trial Initiative and finally with the firm Tin Fulton Walker & Owen. He also continues to serve as an adjunct professor at the UNC School of Law teaching trial advocacy and at the Friday Center where he teaches Trusts and Estates in the UNC–Chapel Hill Paralegal Certificate Program.

2024 CLE Speaker Bios (District 18 Professionalism CLE) — BIOGRAPHIES OF PRESENTERS (PDF)

Mark Kleinschmidt earned a Bachelor of Arts in education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from the UNC School of Law.

Prior to being elected Clerk, Kleinschmidt practiced law for more than 18 years, first at the Center for Death Penalty Litigation, then as Executive Director of the Fair Trial Initiative and finally with the firm Tin Fulton Walker & Owen. He also continues to serve as an adjunct professor at the UNC School of Law teaching trial advocacy and at the Friday Center where he teaches Trusts and Estates in the UNC–Chapel Hill Paralegal Certificate Program.

Mark continues to serve as an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he teaches trial advocacy, and teaches trusts and estates in the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill Paralegal Certificate Program. He previously practiced law at the Center for Death Penalty Litigation and Tin Fulton Walker & Owen, and served as executive director of the Fair Trial Initiative.

Mark Kleinschmidt received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and after teaching high school for several years, received his J.D. degree from UNC School of Law in May 2000. Kleinschmidt served on the Chapel Hill Town Council from 2001 to 2009. He was elected Mayor of Chapel Hill in November 2009. In 2018, Kleinschmidt was elected as Orange County’s Clerk of Superior Court and was re-elected in 2022. Kleinschmidt has served the last two years on the Executive Committee of the Conference of Clerks of Superior Court (CCSC) and serves as chair of the CCSC Joint Bar/Clerk Task Force, and the CCSC Human Resource Committee.

Mark currently serves as Orange County’s Clerk of Superior Court. He was elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Mark was elected mayor of Chapel Hill in November 2009 and served on the Chapel Hill Town Council from 2001 to 2009.

Practiced law for more than 18 years at the Center for Death Penalty Litigation and Tin Fulton Walker & Owen.

Served as executive director of the Fair Trial Initiative during a legal career spanning more than 18 years.

Mark Kleinschmidt has a bachelor's degree in social studies education and a law degree from the University of North Carolina. He has lived in Chapel Hill for almost 27 years. 

Mark Kleinschmidt - Daily Tar Heel

MARK KLEINSCHMIDT - UNC-Chapel Hill Paralegal Certificate ...

Mark is an attorney at Tin Fulton Walker & Owen. He previously served as the mayor of Chapel Hill from 2009 to 2017.

News Flash • Orange County, NC • CivicEngage

Mark is currently the Orange County Clerk of Superior Court. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term. He previously served as the mayor of Chapel Hill from 2009 to 2017 and as a member of the Chapel Hill Town Council from 2001 to 2009.

Early Voting is Ending: Here's Where to Go in Orange County ...

Received a bachelor's degree in social studies education from the University of North Carolina (UNC) in 1992 and his Juris Doctor from the UNC School of Law in 2000.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

The Clerk of Superior Court is elected in each county through a partisan election for a four-year term. The Clerk has five main responsibilities:
- Probate Judge: Handles 46 types of actions, including managing estates, guardianship proceedings, and appointing personal representatives.
- Court Administrator: Oversees the administration of the court.
- Record Keeper: Files, processes, and maintains all cases and documents submitted to the court.
- Financial Manager: Manages the collection, investment, and distribution of money from court fees and traffic citations.
- Employee Manager: Supervises a team ranging from 5 to over 200 employees.


Oversees the county's probate court, judicial administration, records, and finances.