On December 30, 2020, Darren Jackson accepted Governor Cooper’s appointment to serve on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Judge Jackson is a former law partner of Judge Donna Stroud, who recently ascended to the post of Chief Judge on the state’s second highest court.

Prior to accepting the appointment, Judge Jackson had been a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives since 2009. He had served as House Minority (Democratic) Leader since the General Assembly’s 2017-18 session.

While serving as a state legislator, Judge Jackson was also a practicing attorney with the law firm of Gay, Jackson & McNally, LL.P.

Judge Jackson fills the vacancy created by Justice Phil Berger’s recent election to the North Carolina Supreme Court.