David is a life-long resident of Gaston County and is the son of former Chief District Court Judge James Ralph Phillips. He and his wife, Paula Teeter Phillips, have been married over thirty years.

About David A. Phillips

Education & Experience
Gaston County Public Schools - Graduated from North Gaston (1977)
Appalachian State University - B.S. (1981)

Firm Profile | The Phillips Law Firm, PLLC

Education & Experience
Gaston County Public Schools - Graduated from North Gaston (1977)
Appalachian State University - B.S. (1981)
Worked as a North Carolina Probation/Parole Officer (until 1986)
Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University - Graduated 1989

He and his wife, Paula Teeter Phillips, have been married over thirty years. They live in Belmont with their children, Anderson and Hannah. Their oldest son, Davis, and his wife, Erika, live in Winston-Salem.

David A. Phillips is a lifelong resident of Gaston County. He earned a bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University and a law degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. He lives in Belmont with his wife, Paula Teeter Phillips, and their two children.

Article

David A. Phillips (Democratic Party) is a judge for Judicial District 27A of the North Carolina 5th Superior Court Division. He assumed office on August 10, 2018. His current term ends on December 31, 2026.

Phillips (Democratic Party) ran for re-election for the Judicial District 27A judge of the North Carolina 5th Superior Court Division. He won in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Phillips was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper (D) in April 2018 to succeed Judge Robert T. Sumner.

David Phillips (North Carolina)

Phillips (Democratic Party) ran for re-election for the Judicial District 27A judge of the North Carolina 5th Superior Court Division. He won in the general election on November 6, 2018.

David A. Phillips
Senior Resident Superior Court Judge

North Carolina Gaston County Administrative Order (Cell Phones and Other Personal Communication Devices in the Courthouse)

Elected to Gaston County Board of Education (2002, 2006, 2010) - Served as Chairman

David currently serves as a Senior Resident Superior Court Judge. He was appointed to the Superior Court in April 2018 and won election to the Judicial District 27A judgeship later that year. David was also elected to the Gaston County Board of Education in 2002, 2006, and 2010.

David Phillips (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia

(PDF) NORTH CAROLINA GASTON COUNTY - OFFICE OF THE SENIOR RESIDENT SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE AND CHIEF DISTRICT COURT JUDGE - ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER (Cell phones and other personal communication devices in the courthouse)

2026 North Carolina General Election

About David A. Phillips

David has spent his entire career practicing criminal defense in Gaston County. He has been the premier criminal defense attorney in Gaston County for over 20 years.

2.1 Judicial Candidate Resource Guide 

Worked as a North Carolina probation/parole officer until 1986.

As a criminal defense attorney, represented defendants in Gaston County throughout his legal career.

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

- As a criminal defense attorney, represented defendants in Gaston County throughout his legal career.
- As superior court judge, oversees cases involving criminal felonies, the administration of wills and estates, evictions of renters, and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Legal Experience

IT IS ORDERED that the following devices are prohibited in the Gaston County Courthouse:
a) Cell phones
b) Smart phones
c) Laptop computers
d) Tablet computers
e) Al l other electronic devices capable of connecting to the internet or making audio or
video recordings

Ordered cell phones, smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other internet-connected or recording devices to be prohibited in the Gaston County Courthouse.

- Ordered cell phones, smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other internet-connected or recording devices to be prohibited in the Gaston County Courthouse.

Judicial Administration

As of January 5, 2026, David A. Phillips did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Served as chair of the Gaston County Board of Education after being elected to the board in 2002, 2006, and 2010.

- Served as chair of the Gaston County Board of Education after being elected to the board in 2002, 2006, and 2010.

Community Involvement

David A. Phillips

- As a criminal defense attorney, represented defendants in Gaston County throughout his legal career.
- Worked as a North Carolina probation/parole officer until 1986.

As of January 5, 2026, David A. Phillips’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Phillips was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper (D) in April 2018 to succeed Judge Robert T. Sumner.

General election for North Carolina 5th Superior Court Division Judicial District 27A. Incumbent David A. Phillips won election in the general election for North Carolina 5th Superior Court Division Judicial District 27A on November 6, 2018.

David currently serves as a judge for Judicial District 27A of North Carolina's 5th Superior Court Division. He was appointed in April 2018 to succeed Judge Robert T. Sumner and won election to the seat in November 2018.

David is a judge for Judicial District 27A of the North Carolina 5th Superior Court Division. He has been in this position since August 2018. 

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David is currently a judge for Judicial District 27A of the North Carolina 5th Superior Court Division. He was appointed by Governor Roy Cooper in April 2018 and won re-election in 2018.

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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