Susan Dotson-Smith

Incumbent District Court Judge, 40th Judicial District in Weaverville, North Carolina

Susan Dotson-Smith is a candidate for NC District Court Judge District 40 Seat 04 in Buncombe County, North Carolina — 2026 Primary Election. Running as Democratic.

Susan Dotson-Smith has served as a District Court Judge in Buncombe County since she was appointed by Governor Bev Perdue in 2012. She currently presides in the Designated Family Court. Prior to her appointment, she was the assistant clerk of Superior Court in Buncombe County and spent 20 years in private legal practice focusing on bankruptcy, guardianship, mediation, and estates. She has also been an adjunct instructor in business law at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and Mars Hill College. Dotson-Smith earned her bachelor's degree from Duke University and her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law.