Judge Teresa Vincent Awarded Order of the Long Leaf Pine
At the April 16 joint meeting of the Greensboro Bar Association and the 24th Judicial District, President Bill Davis presented Judge Teresa Vincent with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is one of the most prestigious awards conferred by the Governor of the State of North Carolina, and is awarded for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and the recipients’ communities that is above and beyond the call of duty and which has made a significant impact and strengthened North Carolina.
At the time of her retirement at the end of 2024, Judge Vincent had served the people of North Carolina for thirty-one years. Her first seven years, she served as an Assistant District Attorney, prosecuting cases and standing up for victims of crime. In 2000, she was elected as a District Court Judge, and served with great distinction in that position until her retirement. She became the Chief District Court Judge for Guilford County’s judicial district in 2019 and is the first black woman to serve in that position. As Chief Judge, she led our local courts through both the COVID pandemic and the transition to electronic filing. She also served as President of the District Court Judges’ Association, President of the Greensboro Bar Association, Vice President of the NC Bar Association Board of Governors, and as a member of the NC Judicial Standards Commission. She received the Outstanding Women in the Profession award from Elon Law School Women’s Law Association. At the time of her retirement, Chief Justice Paul Newby presented her with the Friend of the Court Award. Earlier this year, she received the Centennial Award presented jointly by the Greensboro Bar Association and the NC Bar Association.
Judge Vincent dedicated her career to public service in the courts of our State. She is regarded as one of the very finest judges that we have had. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine was richly deserved, and it was wonderful to present it at our annual meeting when so many friends and colleagues could be present.


