After several months of filling gaps in court calendars with visiting judges, Western North Carolina will finally fill its District Court vacancy with Swain County native Justin Greene. Greene, who turns 44 this week, has practiced law out of Bryson City since 2006.

WNC swears in a new judge

He served as conflict counsel for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Legal Assistance Office. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and his Juris Doctor from the North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Governor Cooper Announces Three Judicial Appointments | North Carolina Judicial Branch

The two talked about things most people might expect — what makes a good judge, what they like to see and don’t like to see in court, what could be improved in the court system, Greene’s personal background. But they also ventured into other topics. “He and I both coached basketball; he coached his daughter’s team, and I coached my son’s,” Greene said. “We talked about how team sports are a great way to build community and comradery.”

Justin B. Greene is a native of Swain County. He received an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. He has a daughter and coached her basketball team.

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Justin B. Greene is a native of Swain County. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. He has a daughter.

Greene is a solo practitioner currently serving as County Attorney for Swain County, a Counsel for Graham and Swain County Departments of Social Services, Counsel for the Cherokee County and Clay County Guardian ad Litem and contract counsel for Western North Carolina Legal Aid. He served as conflict counsel for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Legal Assistance Office.

Justin is a solo practitioner and currently serves as county attorney for Swain County, counsel for the Graham and Swain County Departments of Social Services, counsel for the Guardian ad Litem programs in Cherokee and Clay counties, and contract counsel for Western North Carolina Legal Aid. He previously served as conflict counsel for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Legal Assistance Office.

Justin is a solo practitioner and works primarily in family law.

Greene had previously run for a District Court seat twice. In 2010, at just 30 years old, he lost a bid for a seat in an election where he finished fourth out of five candidates. When he ran again in 2020, judicial elections were partisan. In the general election against Republican Kaleb Wingate, Greene, a Democrat, only received about a third of the vote.

Justin previously ran for a District Court seat in 2010 but did not win. He ran for a District Court seat again in 2020 but did not win.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Greene, who turns 44 this week, has practiced law out of Bryson City since 2006. While his areas of practice have been diverse, he has largely focused on family law and cases that often involved children in difficult situations. He represented Swain County DSS from 2010-2014 before becoming Graham County’s DSS attorney in 2018. In addition, he’s worked with the Guardian ad Litem program in the region.

Practiced law in Bryson City since 2006, primarily handling family-law cases and matters involving children.

Represented Swain County Department of Social Services from 2010 to 2014 and became Graham County's Department of Social Services attorney in 2018.

Serves as Swain County attorney, counsel to Graham and Swain County Departments of Social Services, and counsel to Guardian ad Litem programs in Cherokee and Clay Counties.

Serves as contract counsel for Western North Carolina Legal Aid.

Served as conflict counsel for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Legal Assistance Office.

- Practiced law in Bryson City since 2006, primarily handling family-law cases and matters involving children.
- Represented Swain County Department of Social Services from 2010 to 2014 and became Graham County's Department of Social Services attorney in 2018.
- Serves as Swain County attorney, counsel to Graham and Swain County Departments of Social Services, and counsel to Guardian ad Litem programs in Cherokee and Clay Counties.
- Serves as contract counsel for Western North Carolina Legal Aid.
- Served as conflict counsel for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Legal Assistance Office.

Legal Experience

As of January 5, 2026, Justin B. Greene’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Justin B. Greene

- Serves as Swain County attorney, counsel to Graham and Swain County Departments of Social Services, and counsel to Guardian ad Litem programs in Cherokee and Clay Counties.
- Serves as contract counsel for Western North Carolina Legal Aid.
- Served as conflict counsel for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Legal Assistance Office.

As a solo practitioner, serves as County Attorney for Swain County, a Counsel for Graham and Swain County Departments of Social Services, Counsel for the Cherokee County and Clay County Guardian ad Litem and contract counsel for Western North Carolina Legal Aid.

Sahid Burgos

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.