Karen Eady-Williams - Ballotpedia

Karen Eady-Williams has a bachelor's degree from The College of William & Mary and a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. 

Karen previously worked as an assistant public defender for the 26th Judicial District, assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, and vice president and assistant general counsel for Wachovia Corp.

Karen served as a District Court Judge in 2010.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Served as an assistant public defender for the 26th Judicial District.

As an assistant United States attorney, prosecuted federal criminal cases on behalf of the U.S. attorney’s office, advised state and federal law enforcement agents during investigations, and presented cases to grand juries.

As superior court judge, oversaw cases involving criminal felonies, the administration of wills and estates, evictions of renters, and divorce proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

- Served as an assistant public defender for the 26th Judicial District.
- As an assistant United States attorney, prosecuted federal criminal cases on behalf of the U.S. attorney’s office, advised state and federal law enforcement agents during investigations, and presented cases to grand juries.
- As superior court judge, oversaw cases involving criminal felonies, the administration of wills and estates, evictions of renters, and divorce proceedings, and exercised authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Legal Experience

As of January 5, 2026, Karen Eady-Williams did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

Karen Eady-Williams

As of January 5, 2026, Karen Eady-Williams’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Biography

Eady-Williams received her B.A. degree from The College of William & Mary in 1989 and her J.D. degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 1992.

Eady-Williams began her career as an assistant public defender for the 26th Judicial District. She then worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Prior to her judicial appointment, Eady-Williams worked as a vice president and assistant general counsel for Wachovia Corp. She joined the District Court in 2010 and was appointed to the Superior Court in 2017.

Karen Eady-Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts from the College of William & Mary and a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Eady-Williams prosecuted general criminal and white-collar crime cases at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and was Financial Crimes Litigation unit supervisor in its civil division. Prior to her appointment, Eady-Williams was vice president and assistant general counsel for six years at Wachovia Corp. (now Wells Fargo and Co.), where she handled defensive litigation and internal investigations.

Eady-Williams named District Court judge

Eady-Williams was one of three nominees offered to Perdue in a special election. She started her legal career as an assistant public defender in the 26th Judicial District, handling felonies in district and superior courts as well as representing clients in involuntary commitment hearings. She later served seven years as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Karen previously worked as a vice president and assistant general counsel for Wachovia Corp., now Wells Fargo & Co. She also worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina and began her legal career as an assistant public defender in the 26th Judicial District.

Eady-Williams named District Court judge - The Charlotte Post

Eady-Williams began her career as an assistant public defender for the 26th Judicial District. She then worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Prior to her judicial appointment, Eady-Williams worked as a vice president and assistant general counsel for Wachovia Corp. She joined the District Court in 2010 and was appointed to the Superior Court in 2017.

General election for North Carolina 7th Superior Court Division Judicial District 26

Incumbent Karen Eady-Williams won election in the general election for North Carolina 7th Superior Court Division Judicial District 26 on November 6, 2018.

N.C. GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
Karen Eady-Williams of Charlotte was appointed to the District Court judicial seat Feb. 15 by N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue. Eady-Williams replaces Bill Belk, who resigned last year.

Karen Eady-Williams of Charlotte has been appointed to the District Court bench for the 26th Judicial District.

2012

Eady-Williams was re-elected to the 26th Judicial District without opposition on November 6, 2012.

Karen was appointed to the North Carolina Superior Court in 2017 and won election to the North Carolina 7th Superior Court Division Judicial District 26 in 2018. She was previously appointed to a District Court seat by Gov. Bev Perdue and was re-elected to the 26th Judicial District in 2012.

Represented defendants as an assistant public defender, including in felony cases and involuntary commitment hearings.

Prosecuted criminal and white-collar cases as an assistant U.S. attorney and supervised the Financial Crimes Litigation unit in the civil division.

Handled defensive litigation and internal investigations as vice president and assistant general counsel at Wachovia for six years.

Served on the North Carolina District Court beginning in 2010 before appointment to the Superior Court in 2017.

Serves as a North Carolina Superior Court judge for Judicial District 26F.

Karen Eady-Williams is from Charlotte, North Carolina. She has a bachelor 27s degree from the College of William and Mary and a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law. She is married and has four sons.

About – A Better Mecklenburg

Karen is a judge for Judicial District 26F of the North Carolina 5th Superior Court Division. She previously worked as a vice president and assistant general counsel for Wachovia Corp. Before that, she served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. She started her legal career as an assistant public defender in the 26th Judicial District.

Karen is currently a judge for Judicial District 26F of the North Carolina 5th Superior Court Division. She was first appointed to the Superior Court in 2017 and re-elected in 2018. She previously served as a judge on the North Carolina District Court from 2010 to 2017.

As an assistant public defender, Eady-Williams handled felonies in district and superior courts and represented clients in involuntary commitment hearings.

As an assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, served for seven years, gaining significant legal experience.

As a prosecutor at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eady-Williams handled general criminal and white-collar crime cases and served as the Financial Crimes Litigation unit supervisor in the civil division.

As vice president and assistant general counsel at Wachovia Corp. for six years, handled defensive litigation and internal investigations.

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

- The Superior Court Judge hears both civil and criminal cases. Superior Court Judges try civil cases involving more than $10,000. Superior Court Judge hear appeals of misdemeanors and infraction cases that were first heard in the District Court,
- They make decisions on bail, meaning a Superior Court Judge could keep a non-dangerous person in jail before they are convicted by setting a high bail.
- In each district (except Wake County), the most senior judge in years of service is designated the senior resident superior court judge. They are responsible for various administrative duties, including appointing magistrates and some other court officials, and managing the scheduling of civil cases for trial.
- Superior court judges rotate among the districts within their divisions.  
- The Superior Court Judge is elected for 8-year terms. Elections are partisan.

Trial Judge who hears criminal and civil cases