“Judge Doretta L. Walker, appointed Chief District Court Judge for Durham County by North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby.”

Judge Doretta L. Walker’s appointment as Chief District Court Judge for Durham County was made by North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby. Under North Carolina law, the Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court designates the Chief District Court Judge for each district. Judge Walker is a longtime Durham public servant, attorney, educator,  and North Carolina District Court Judge whose career reflects a strong commitment to fairness, compassion, and justice. A Durham native and graduate of Northern High School, she earned degrees in Administration of Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later received her Juris Doctor from the UNC School of Law. Before joining the bench, Judge Walker served as a law clerk with the North Carolina Court of Appeals and spent more than a decade as an Assistant District Attorney in Durham County. First elected to the District Court bench in 2010, she has presided over a broad range of civil and criminal matters, including family, juvenile, domestic violence, mental health, child support, and abuse, neglect and dependency cases.

Beyond the courtroom, Judge Walker has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to education, mentorship, and community service. She taught in Durham Technical Community College's Criminal Justice Program for more than a decade and has mentored aspiring attorneys and young people through internships and judicial-shadowing opportunities. Her professional and civic involvement has included the George H. White Bar Association, Durham County Bar Association, North Carolina Association of District Court Judges, and National Council of Negro Women. A lifelong Durham resident, Judge Walker brings extensive legal experience, a deep understanding of the community, and a dedication to ensuring that those who enter the judicial system are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.