Judge Hobgood named AOC director

Judge Hobgood

Raleigh – Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake named Superior Court Judge Robert H. Hobgood director of the Administrative Office of the Courts effective Jan. 8.

"Judge Hobgood is well respected by court staff, the legal community and the public across North Carolina," Lake said. "As a former legislator, Hobgood will make a credible ambassador when going before the General Assembly to present concerns of the court, particularly in regards to technology needs. His knowledge of the court system will be invaluable."

Hobgood is currently the senior resident Superior Court judge for the ninth district which includes Franklin, Granville, Vance and Warren counties.

The 54-year-old Hobgood was born and reared in Louisburg. He graduated from Louisburg High School in 1964, and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina in political science in 1968.He spent three years in the U.S. Army before attending UNC School of Law, graduating in 1974. He practiced law for several years in Louisburg. Hobgood spent one session as a legislator in the N.C. House of Representatives before being appointed by Gov. Jim Hunt to the Superior Court. He has served as the senior resident Superior Court judge since Jan. 1980.

Hobgood has been a member of the National Guard for nearly ten years, a member of the Board of Governors for the N.C. Bar Association and the UNC Law Foundation. He has also served on the Franklin County Arts Council, was president of the Louisburg High School Booster Club, and was an assistant Boy Scouts of America master for Troop 555.

Hobgood has served as a member and chairman of the Civil Pattern Jury committee. He received a master of Judicial Studies degree from the National Judicial Council, University of Nevada in Reno and is a member of the N.C. State Judicial Council.

The acting director for the Administrative Office of the Courts until Jan. 8 is Rob Lubitz, AOC’s senior deputy director.