WS Chronicle

Last month Artrese Ziglar was officially sworn in as a Forsyth County District Court Judge. 

After winning the Democratic Primary in 2024, Ziglar, who is a native of Winston-Salem, ran unopposed for Seat 6 of the N.C. 31st Judicial District.  

Although she’s received several awards for her service over the years, Ziglar said standing in the courtroom surrounded by family, friends and colleagues while taking the oath of office was the proudest moment of her career.  

“It was surreal. Besides passing the bar, it is definitely number one on my list of top proudest moments,” Ziglar said.  

A graduate of Parkland High School, Ziglar received her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). From there, Ziglar went on to receive her law degree from N.C. Central University where she graduated cum laude.  

For 16 years Ziglar worked as an assistant public defender with the Forsyth County Public Defender’s Office. During that time Ziglar served as lead counsel in dozens of trials in both District and Superior Court. Just before making her intent to run for District Court judge, Ziglar became the first Black woman to receive the Harvey Lupton Award, which is awarded annually by the Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers Association to criminal defense attorneys who have shown distinction in the courtroom and in the community. 

Ziglar was also an adjunct professor at Winston-Salem State University and has held several leadership roles within the legal community. She has served as past vice president and board member of the Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Lawyers Association and past treasurer of the Winston-Salem Bar Association. She is currently an executive board member of the Forsyth County Bar Association. 

Ziglar said she started thinking about running for a judicial seat about 10 years ago, but she didn’t feel the time was right. Then in 2021 she really started working toward that goal. “I felt it kinda laid on me a while ago, but I didn’t feel like it was the time … then about 2021 I started getting that voice in my head telling me it’s about time,” Ziglar said.  

During her campaign, one of Ziglar’s promises was that she would be a “servant for the people” who will make sure the law is applied correctly, treat everyone who appears before the Court fairly, and ensure everyone receives their day in court. 

“For some people it’s opening a nonprofit to help people in hard times, or helping young mothers, and all of it is needed. But where I can help the most is this, because this is my craft and if I can combine my career with helping people, then it’s a win-win in my book,” Ziglar said. “Once I started my career, there was no deviation from public’s service. I dedicated my entire career to it and I plan on continuing that … doing what I can to help this community and be there for this community in more ways than one.”