With retirement looming, this Wilmington judge vows to remain 'an advocate for the people'

After more than 18 years on the bench, Phyllis Gorham doesn't see retirement as a way to slow down.

Instead, the judge sees all sorts of new ways to impact the community upon leaving the bench on Jan. 1, 2024.

"There’s so much to do and I’m interested in so much," Gorham said. "I like being an advocate for people."

The Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the Fifth Judicial District, which covers New Hanover and Pender counties, anticipates staying actively engaged in her community, driven by her commitment to assisting those in need.

This same mindset initially piqued Gorham’s interest in pursuing a career in the legal profession.

Completing her undergraduate education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Pitt County native worked as a UNC Hospitals employee for three years.

“It was there that I decided I wanted to become a lawyer because of the type of work that I was doing,” Gorham said.

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A law graduate from the North Carolina Central University School of Law, Gorham briefly worked in Goldsboro as an associate attorney in private practice and then Durham as an attorney for Legal Aid for North Carolina and Interim Assistant Police Attorney for the Durham Police Department.

Gorham emphasized the role her relationships with her colleagues and peers have played throughout her career as a judge.

“I will definitely miss the people,” Gorham said. “You really become this strange kind of family when you’re in this type of a system and I have enjoyed working with everyone."

Outside of being a judge, Gorham said spending time with family, friends and fellow church members allowed her to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

“It’s a long career and to really enjoy the career you’ve got to have a balanced life,” Gorham said. “You can find that balance and I’ve been able to find mine."

Gorham said she plans to spend the first six months of her retirement visiting family, relaxing, and traveling.

“Right now, the first thing I’m going to do is just take some time,” Gorham said.

The judge said she hopes to pick up old some old hobbies, such as sewing.

Gorham said she is certain she will remain busy, whether through alternative public leadership roles or personal endeavors such as volunteering.

One of those roles could include keeping her position as chair of the N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission. That's dependent on the wishes of Chief Justice Paul Newby, Gorham said, but she's willing to stay on.

“I would never keep my hands idle,” Gorham said.

Regarding changes the judge wishes to see enacted within the legal system, Gorham said legislatures are actively pursuing a variety of improvements.

Greater focus needs to be placed on the affordability of court access for individuals within the court system, Gorham said.

Gorham became senior resident superior court judge in 2018 after the retirement of Judge Jay Hockenbury. Gorham first served on the superior court under appointment from then-Gov. Mike Easley.

Previously, Gorham served on the district court bench from 2005-2007. She also worked in New Hanover County as an assistant district attorney in the Sixth Prosecutorial District for nearly 10 years.

As for the legacy Gorham leaves behind, the judge said she hopes she has encouraged people to be more courteous of and respectful to one another. And for those wishing to embark on a similar career path, look for good mentors "and enjoy yourself, too.

“This is a difficult position for people to be in as attorneys, but it doesn’t have to be a bad experience,” Gorham said.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Retiring judge Phyllis Gorham on serving New Hanover and Pender