Matt is from Indian Trail, North Carolina. He attended Union County Public Schools, graduating from Sun Valley High School in 1991. He has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations and Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a juris doctorate degree from Campbell University School of Law. He lives with his wife and their two children in Union County.

Matt Smith is from Indian Trail. He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial relations and psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a law degree from Campbell University. He lives with his wife, Claire, and two children in Union County.

Matt is a Superior Court Judge. He works at the North Carolina Superior Court, where he has been since 2022. He previously worked as a District Court Judge at the North Carolina District Court from 2020 to 2022 and practiced law as a trial attorney—first at a law firm for eight years and then at his own law firm, which he founded and ran for more than a decade.

Matt previously worked as a trial attorney.

Matt Smith is currently a Superior Court Judge in North Carolina. He was elected in 2022 and has served one term. He was elected to the District Court Bench in 2020.

NC DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 20D SEAT 02 (VOTE FOR 1)

Matt currently serves as a Superior Court judge. He was first elected in 2022 and is serving his first term. He previously served as a District Court judge. He served a partial term from 2020 to 2022.

For Candidate Matt Smith on Issue legal-experience:  
Practiced in both criminal and civil courts.

Has 18 years of experience practicing law as an attorney in both criminal and civil courts.

Served as a district court judge for two years, handling civil matters such as divorce and child custody, as well as misdemeanor cases.

Has served as a superior court judge since 2022, presiding over civil and felony criminal cases.

- Has 18 years of experience practicing law as an attorney in both criminal and civil courts.
- Served as a district court judge for two years, handling civil matters such as divorce and child custody, as well as misdemeanor cases.
- Has served as a superior court judge since 2022, presiding over civil and felony criminal cases.

Legal Experience

As of January 2, 2026, Matt Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Matt Smith (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia

Said he "believes the any case must be decided only as the law requires," and "[t]he law must be applied equally to all parties that come before the court."

Supports judges should "strive to maintain the public’s trust in our justice system."

- Said he "believes the any case must be decided only as the law requires," and "[t]he law must be applied equally to all parties that come before the court."
- Supports judges should "strive to maintain the public’s trust in our justice system."

Judicial Philosophy

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Matt Smith

Matt Smith is from Indian Trail, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor's degree in industrial relations and psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a law degree from Campbell University. He lives with his wife, Claire, and two children in Union County.

Matt is from Indian Trail, North Carolina. He has a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations and Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a juris doctorate degree from Campbell University School of Law. He lives with his wife and their two children in Union County.

Before taking public office, Matt practiced law as a trial attorney. He was at a law firm for eight years and then at his own law firm, which he founded and ran for more than a decade.

Matt Smith is currently a Superior Court Judge in North Carolina. He was elected in 2022. He was also elected to the District Court Bench in 2020.

- Has 18 years of experience practicing law in both criminal and civil courts.
- Served as a district court judge for two years, handling civil matters such as divorce and child custody, as well as misdemeanor cases.
- Has served as a superior court judge since 2022, presiding over civil and felony criminal cases.

Rafael Perez

Buket Urgen

NC OAH judge Michael Byrne to seek NC Court of Appeals seat ...

Michael Byrne has a bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University and a law degree from Campbell University. Michael and his wife, Brigette, have a son and live in Cary, North Carolina. 

Michael is an administrative law judge with the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings. He previously worked as a solo practitioner, representing state employees and law enforcement officers in administrative litigation. 

2026 Official North Carolina Candidate List - Currituck County

Who's New at OAH - NCBarBlog

Michael is an administrative law judge with the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings. He previously worked as an attorney. 

Michael is currently an administrative law judge with the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings. He was appointed in June 2020. Before his appointment, he practiced law as a solo practitioner.

This is Michael's first time running for public office. 

As an attorney, Byrne has argued over 20 cases before the Court of Appeals, primarily representing law enforcement and correctional officers in wrongful termination and disciplinary matters.

As an attorney, has argued over 20 cases before the Court of Appeals, primarily defending law enforcement and correctional officers in wrongful termination and disciplinary matters.

As an administrative law judge, has made decisions in almost 400 cases in the past five years.

- As an attorney, has argued over 20 cases before the Court of Appeals, primarily defending law enforcement and correctional officers in wrongful termination and disciplinary matters.
- As an administrative law judge, has made decisions in almost 400 cases in the past five years.

As of January 2, 2026, Michael C. Byrne’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes passionately in due process, fairness, and giving all sides a chance to be heard, deciding cases strictly based on the law, without fear or favor.

Believes in "due process, fairness, and giving all sides a chance to be heard, deciding cases strictly based on the law, without fear or favor."

- Believes in "due process, fairness, and giving all sides a chance to be heard, deciding cases strictly based on the law, without fear or favor."

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Michael C. Byrne

As a referral attorney for the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association and the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, appeared in over 270 cases before the Office of Administrative Hearings from 2005 to 2020.

- The Court of Appeals reviews proceedings that occurred in trial courts for errors of law or legal procedure. They decide if the trial court correctly applied the law to the case.
- There are currently 15 judges who sit in panels of three judges to hear cases. 
- They are the only intermediate appellate court in the state, meaning they are the only court that sits between lower courts and the state Supreme Court.
- Judges on the Court of Appeals are elected for eight-year terms in partisan elections.

Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 1

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