Governor Cooper Appoints Judges To District And Superior Courts

RALEIGH – Governor Roy Cooper has appointed three judges to serve Brunswick, Cumberland and Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties.

“Our superior and district courts are a critical part of the state’s justice system,” Gov. Cooper said. “These appointees are remarkable leaders in their communities, and I look forward to seeing them in these new roles.”

Mario White will serve as a District Court Judge in Judicial District 4, which serves Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul Hardison. White has been a solo practitioner at Mario M. White Law Office since 1993. He also taught criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law and business law at Sampson Community College from 1994-1998. White is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers and the Prince Hall Free Masons. He received his Juris Doctor from the North Carolina Central University School of Law and his Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina Central University.

The Honorable Jason C. Disbrow will serve as Superior Court judge in Judicial District 13B, which serves Brunswick County. Disbrow will fill the vacancy created by the passing of former Superior Court Judge Ola Lewis. Since 2015, he has served as a District Court Judge of North Carolina’s 13th District. Prior to being a District Court Judge, he was a partner in Stiller & Disbrow, P.C. Attorneys at Law. Disbrow is active in the Southport community and has served on the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce. He received his Juris Doctor from the North Carolina Central University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina State University.

Frances McDuffie will serve as a District Court Judge in Judicial District 12, which serves Cumberland County. She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Robert Stiehl. McDuffie has served as an assistant public defender for Cumberland County since 2013. McDuffie has held several board positions in Cumberland and Scotland counties. She received her Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University.