Phillip Cornett will serve as a District Court Judge in Judicial District 20A and fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William Tucker. He has served as the Assistant District Attorney for Prosecutorial Districts 28 and 16C. Cornett has several years of experience as a private practice lawyer and previously was a Judicial Clerk on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He earned his Juris Doctor at Elon University School of Law, his Bachelor of Arts degree at Western Carolina University and his Associate in Science degree at Stanly Community College.

Governor Roy Cooper Appoints Two New District Court Judges

NC DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 28 SEAT 01 CORNETT, PHILLIP LEON 12/01/2025 42087 BOWERS RD (919) 219-8107 PCORNETTLAW@GMAIL.COM
STANLY Phillip Cornett REP NORWOOD, NC 28128

CANDIDATE DETAIL LIST STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS (2026_general_candidate_detail_list_federal_and_state.pdf)

Phillip Cornett earned an Associate in Science degree from Stanly Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Carolina University, and a law degree from Elon University School of Law. He lives in Norwood, North Carolina.

Governor Roy Cooper Appoints Two New District Court Judges ...

Phillip has served as an assistant district attorney for Prosecutorial Districts 28 and 16C. He has also worked as a lawyer in private practice and as a judicial clerk on the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Turnout numbers for Stanly County voters exceed state average

Phillip currently serve as Judge for Judicial District 20A, having been first appointed in 2020. 

2026 North Carolina General Election

As of January 5, 2026, Phillip Cornett did not have a website or any information online.

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Phillip Cornett

State Jurisdiction Abstract Report-Contest

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

A Norwood native, where he still resides, Cornett, 45, currently serves as the Assistant District Attorney for Prosecutorial Districts 28 and 16C. Cornett has several years of experience as a private practice lawyer and previously was a Judicial Clerk on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in Raleigh.

Cooper appoints Norwood resident to serve as District Court Judge

Phillip Cornett is originally from Norwood, where he lives. He earned an Associate in Science degree from Stanly Community College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Carolina University, and a law degree from Elon University School of Law.

Cooper appoints Norwood resident to serve as District Court Judge ...

Phillip has served as an assistant district attorney for Prosecutorial Districts 28 and 16C. He previously worked as a lawyer in private practice and as a judicial clerk on the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Phillip Cornett will serve as a District Court Judge in Judicial District 20A and fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William Tucker. He has served as the Assistant District Attorney for Prosecutorial Districts 28 and 16C. Cornett has several years of experience as a private practice lawyer and previously was a Judicial Clerk on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He earned his Juris Doctor at Elon University School of Law, his Bachelor of Arts degree at Western District 20A and fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William Tucker.

Phillip was appointed to serve as a District Court Judge in Judicial District 20A, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William Tucker.

Served as an assistant district attorney in Prosecutorial Districts 28 and 16C, prosecuting cases on behalf of the district attorney's office.

Previously served as a judicial clerk on the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Phillip is from Norwood, North Carolina. He attended South Stanly High School. He has an associate’s degree in science in business computer programming from Stanly Community College, a bachelor’s degree in English from Western Carolina University, and a Juris Doctor degree from Elon University School of Law.

Judge Phillip Cornett - Professional Background & Legal Expertise ...

Phillip is a district court judge. He works at the North Carolina Judicial Branch for District 28, where he has been since November 2020.

As an Assistant District Attorney for Prosecutorial Districts 28 and 16C, Cornett has experience in prosecuting civil and criminal cases.

As a private practice lawyer with several years of experience, Cornett also served as a Judicial Clerk on the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Pavel Tantchev

Buket Urgen

- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 

Judge who handles majority of trial level cases.