WS Chronicle

Judge Carrie F. Vickery (Democrat) has served the City of Winston-Salem for nine years after being elected to Seat 7 of the District Court bench in 2016.  Since then, she has established herself as a prominent figure in Forsyth County, through her dedication to the legal profession and commitment to her community.   

Vickery’s path to the bench, surprisingly, started at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), where she completed high school and played the oboe. Upon entering UNCSA, being a judge was not a part of her career aspirations.  

“As my interest in my art was waning, my interest in politics was increasing. I started working on campaigns when I was 16 at the School of the Arts. I realized that most politicians were also lawyers and so that seemed like an interesting path to take,” she added. “That is what got me started on going to law school and my interest in law school.” 

She then pursued a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Carolina University, graduating in 2006. Her interest in law led her to Elon University School of Law, where she was part of the charter class and earned her Juris Doctor in 2009. Upon graduating from law school, Vickery joined the Holton Law Firm in Winston-Salem, where she practiced family law. Her dedication and expertise in this field led to her certification as a family law specialist by the North Carolina State Bar.  

In 2016, at the age of 30, Vickery was elected as a District Court Judge in Forsyth County, becoming the youngest judge serving in the county at that time. Her role encompasses presiding over cases related to family law, misdemeanor criminal charges, and juvenile justice. She was re-elected in 2020, and then again in 2024, reflecting the community’s continued trust in her judicial capabilities.   

Vickery’s commitment extends beyond the courtroom into various community initiatives. She has been actively involved with the Junior League and has supported programs like Read Write Spell and Goler Garden, focusing on literacy and community development. Her passion for animal welfare is evident through her board membership with the Forsyth Humane Society, where she played a pivotal role in establishing a contract with the county to manage adoption services and reduce euthanasia rates.   

Speaking of the obstacles that women in the judicial field face, Vickery spoke of a time when a male colleague failed to grasp the importance of the enactment of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for women judges.   

“There was no family leave at all for staff of the judicial branch,” she recalled. “I was talking to one of my colleagues, who was a male and he said, ‘I don’t know why that’s necessary.’ And I just remember thinking, thank God we have women in places that are making these decisions. And you telling me it’s unnecessary is why it’s necessary. That’s why I think it’s so important to have more women in more places because without Sherry Beasley as the chief justice, or without women in these other places where they’re able to make decisions that impact so many people, we wouldn’t have those things.” 

Vickery’s advice to young girls and women looking to pursue a judicial career is to look beyond the legal system.   

“Thinking about paths to the bench, judges are generally elected in North Carolina. They’re elected by a lot of people that are not lawyers,” she said. “And so, in order to think about that potential path, you’re going to have to do things outside of the legal system that involve you and let you get to know your community. It’s really important that you start doing other things than just practicing law … that you start getting involved and you learn about who these people are that you would be serving and what your community looks like and what the needs are.” 

Judge Carrie F. Vickery’s journey is a testament to her dedication to justice, education and community service. Her accomplishments serve as an inspiration, particularly during Women’s History Month, highlighting the impact of women in the legal profession and their communities. 

“For me, it’s [Women’s History Month] about acknowledging and celebrating the strides that have been made, but also thinking about the strides that still need to be made.”