Justin Minshew sworn in as clerk of court
By Melody Brown-Peyton
Published in News on August 3, 2018 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Justin Minshew waits to be sworn in as the new clerk of court Tuesday in courtroom one of the Wayne County Courthouse. Justin succeeds his mother, Pam Minshew, right.
Justin Minshew was sworn in as Wayne County clerk of court this week with his mother by his side.
Minshew succeeds his mother, Pam Minshew, who served as Wayne County's clerk of court for the past 12 years.
While Minshew is officially seeking the seat permanently in the Nov. 6 election race, he is unopposed. Superior Court Judge William Bland appointed Minshew to serve the remainder of his mother's term.
A Tuesday retirement celebration for Pam Minshew was somewhat bittersweet for Minshew, as she stepped down from her post but watched her son take her place as an elected official.
On his mother's last working day Tuesday, Justin Minshew was sworn in as the new Wayne County clerk of court by his mother.
After giving her son the oath of office, she gave him a hug and said, "Congratulations. I'm so proud of you."
She also thanked everyone with whom she has worked with over the years.
"I hope that you be as good to Justin as you were to me, she said.
The ceremony and subsequent retirement celebration, held in courtroom one of the Wayne County Courthouse, drew friends judges, attorneys, current and former courthouse staffers and other clerks of court from neighboring counties.
Normal courthouse operations were put on hold for an hour during an unofficial swearing in for Minshew, which included participation by his mother.
A reception followed the ceremony.
The celebration began with opening remarks from Bland, who thanked Minshew for her years of service to Wayne County.
"Wayne County is a better county because of your hard work and dedication," Bland said.
Minshew has spent the past 39 years working in the office of the Wayne County Clerk of Superior Court.
"I wish Pam all the best," said Connie Vazquez, assistant deputy clerk.
"She is dearly loved and will be sorely missed."
One of the retirement gifts that Minshew received was a beach bag that read, "Keep calm and go to the beach."
Justin Minshew was officially sworn into office by Bland Wednesday. After being sworn in, he then gave the oath to 35 clerks who also work in the clerk of court's office, which is located on the second floor of the courthouse.
Minshew decided to pursue the clerk of court seat around the same time that his mother decided to not seek re-election.
Minshew ran unopposed for the position during the primary election. He does not have a challenger in the November general election.
Justin Minshew graduated from Rosewood High School then went on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his degree in political science and public policy. He then went on to earn his law degree from North Carolina Central University.
For the past nine years, Justin Minshew has practiced law at the law firm of Everett, Womble and Lawrence.
Pam Minshew said that she will miss her courthouse family.
As she settles in retirement, she said she is looking forward to spending more time with her grandchildren and family.