On Thursday, 18 May 2023, Judge Ken McCotter, Jr. of the New Bern Chapter, NC Society, Sons of the American Revolution received the prestigious Chief Justice’s Professionalism Award from The North Carolina Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism (CJCP). The award was presented to Judge McCotter by The Honorable Paul Newby, Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. The Chief Justice’s Professionalism Award is presented annually to an individual whose contributions have demonstrated the highest commitment to genuine professionalism and the highest standards of legal ethics. Entries are sought from those eligible that have demonstrated the good that can be accomplished by turning intellectual honesty, compassion, and practical skills in the practice of law. Judge McCotter is the first recipient of this award from the NC 4th District Bar and graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1971 and has been a practicing counselor of law for over 50 years serving as a U.S. Magistrate Judge for 16 years and a trial lawyer since 1995. The Chelsea Restaurant award luncheon was also attended by Mrs. Macon Newby; Hon. Joshua Willey, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge; Hon. Lionel Mills, Chief District  Court Judge; Scott Thomas, District Attorney; Peter Mack, Public defender; Scott Hart, State Bar Councilor; Gary Clemmons; Mark Chestnut, The Right Reverend Clay Matthews and other members of the NC 4th District Bar and guests of Ken McCotter, Jr. Joining Ken in the presentation picture (l to r) are Chief Justice Paul Newby, Ken’s wife Pat and their two daughters Ginny and Trish.