New executive counsel no stranger to NCACC

Many county commissioners and county staffers will instantly recognize the NCACC's executive counsel. Sharon Scudder, who joined the Association in the new position Jan. 1, recently served as the litigation defense counsel and contract general counsel to the NCACC's Risk Management Pools during her time with the law firm of Teague Campbell Dennis & Gorham.

Her new role will allow her to expand her service to the NCACC and reach all parts of the Association's operations. She will continue her work with the Risk Management Pools, advise the executive director on legal issues, and assist the Government Relations team and Legislative Counsel Jim Blackburn on county advocacy issues at the General Assembly.

"In my previous position at Teague Campbell, I loved the type of work I was doing for the NCACC," she said. "I derived significant meaning from representing counties and local government entities in litigation, and I jumped at the opportunity to get more involved in the NCACC."

Scudder focused her practice in government and municipal law while in the private sector. She went the extra mile, so to speak, in order to broaden her understanding of county government by completing the Essentials of County Government course offered through the School of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill and attending the N.C. Association of County Attorneys' summer conference.

"Sharon will bring a multitude of skills and experience and an outstanding track record of success to the Association," said NCACC Executive Director David F. Thompson. "Her expertise in legal research, writing, advocacy and education will benefit our endeavors in each of these areas and will enable her to contribute to the success of our Risk Management Pools, our advocacy efforts and our educational programs."

Scudder has multiple college degrees and earned distinction at each institution of higher learning she attended. She received her Juris Doctorate degree from Campbell University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. She ranked first in her class at Radford University while pursuing a Master of Arts in communication sciences and disorders. She also earned a B.A. in chemistry and a B.S. in science education from North Carolina State University, where she graduated Cum Laude.