Chief Justice Newby Reappoints Mike Mitchell to Rules Advisory Commission of State’s Highest Court

Chief Justice Paul Newby of the Supreme Court of North Carolina has reappointed Smith Anderson Attorney Mike Mitchell to the Rules Advisory Commission for a three-year term, ending December 31, 2023. The Rules Advisory Commission promotes the administration of justice by recommending amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure and the General Rules of Practice on behalf of the North Carolina Judicial Branch. The Commission is currently focused on rule changes that are necessary for a statewide electronic-filing and case-management system. Mike was initially appointed to the Commission by Chief Justice Mark Martin and was then reappointed by Chief Justice Cheri Beasley.  

Appointed members consist of a chairperson, who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or his or her designee; one judge or justice from the Appellate Division; one judge from the Superior Court Division; one judge from the District Court Division; one Clerk of the Superior Court; one Trial Court Administrator; three practicing attorneys; and four at-large members. All members, with the exception of the chairperson, serve for a three-year term.

Mike is a trial and appellate lawyer with over 30 years of experience in business litigation and appellate practice, and has tried cases in all three federal districts in North Carolina, as well as in state courts throughout the state. He is co-chair of Smith Anderson’s Business Litigation team as well as the Intellectual Property Litigation practice. Mike often serves as lead counsel in appellate litigation, with numerous successful appeals before the North Carolina Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals in the last three years. He currently serves on the Eastern District of North Carolina Local Civil Rules Committee and has worked to revise the local rules for the Tenth Judicial District for electronic discovery. Previously, Mike was appointed by Governor Pat McCrory to serve on the North Carolina General Statutes Commission.