When current Guilford County Clerk of Court Lisa Johnson-Tonkins is sworn in as a Superior Court judge in May, the county’s court system will have a tried and true replacement to fill that vacancy, keeping track of court records and performing many other duties that keep the courts functioning smoothly.
On Monday afternoon, April 28, Guilford County Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Stuart Albright announced that David Churchill will be the new clerk of court for the Guilford County court system.
Albright stated that Churchill brings a great deal of experience to the job.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of David Churchill to fill the anticipated vacancy for the position of Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court,” Albright stated in the Tuesday announcement. “Mr. Churchill’s duties will commence when the current Clerk of Superior Court, the Honorable Lisa Johnson-Tonkins, vacates the position when she is sworn in as a Superior Court Judge next month.”
The senior resident superior court judge also noted that Churchill brings “extensive experience and qualifications” to the clerk of court position.
Churchill, who is an attorney, earned his undergraduate degree from The College of Wooster and his juris doctorate from the Wake Forest University School of Law.
In Churchill, the court system is getting a very well-known quantity: He previously served as the county’s Clerk of Superior Court for over a decade and a half – from 1998 to 2014.
Churchill has also served as an assistant public defender and an assistant district attorney – which is the job he held most recently.
Albright described the nature and importance of the clerk’s job: “The Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court is a constitutional office and is the hub of all judicial proceedings in the county. The Clerk provides direct access to justice and to our courts. The duties of the Clerk are vital to the local administration of justice.”
Albright concluded his statement by extending his deep gratitude to Churchill “for his dedicated leadership as Clerk” and he added, “I am tremendously confident that Mr. Churchill will provide excellent service to Guilford County citizens when he assumes this role next month.”
This brings things full circle after about a decade. In 2014, in her first race for public office, it was then Assistant District Attorney Lisa Johnson-Tonkins who, in a surprise to many, defeated Churchill in the Democratic primary race for Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court.
At that time, Churchill was a four-term incumbent and many thought he would win that primary.
However, Johnson-Tonkins won 62 percent of votes versus 38 percent for Churchill.
She then defeated Republican Janet Wallace in the General Election in 2014 to win the job as Guilford County clerk of court.
Johnson-Tonkins is the daughter of the late Yvonne Johnson, who became Greensboro’s first Black mayor in 2007.
Churchill was greatly respected by court staff and judges during his first 16 years in the job, and many in the current court system are no doubt very pleased that the highly informed and highly experienced attorney will be the one who fills the vacancy.
I had to deal with him on “His personal property matter.” He’s an ass. You DO KNOW WHO I AM DONT YOU! People never forget that treatment….ever
David C is a good man for the job.
Years ago, I was summoned to Jury Duty for a case in Guilford County Superior Court. Then Clerk of Court David Churchill came to the Jury Room and addressed the potential jurors. Have never been more impressed with one’s explanation of the NC Superior Court System, the legal process, and the Juror’s responsibility to their duty. It made me feel proud to serve and to this day I still remember what a professional David Churchill was as our Guilford County Clerk of Court. Good choice Judge Albright!
Jim Donaldson
Welcome back, Mr. Churchill! This is the best news regarding Guilford County that I’ve read in MANY years!
Churchill’s appointment reinforces the good old boy network. Different stages, same actors.
David is an excellent choice for finishing the term and continued success in the Clerks office. He was responsive as Clerk before and an honor to work with. I’ve always found him to be nothing but a professional. Good luck David, I know you will do well.
Congratulations to Mr.Churchill. I’ve been in the courtroom several times and observed Mr. Churchill as he was the ADA representing plaintiffs. His professionalism and demeanor were quite impressive. Unfortunately he wasn’t selected to be the ADA when a 83 yr old disabled man was trying to represent himself against a 43 physically healthy man who was on trial for assault charges. The defendant was found not guilty. His lawyer badgered the plaintiff non stop. The ADA, Ashley, who was supposed to defend the plaintiff did absolutely nothing to help the plaintiff. I was there supporting the plaintiff hoping to testify. The defendant told lie after lie. I was so upset that the judge recommended I leave the courtroom. I never said anything but kept shaking my head in disbelief. I was glad to leave the courtroom. If Mr. Churchill had been selected to represent the plaintiff I’m sure the outcome would’ve been different. He kept trying to get me to calm down. I want to thank Mr. Churchill for showing sympathy for the plaintiff but whose hands were tied. I accept the verdict. But it was so unfair that the plaintiff had no representation. It was indeed sad to watch.
You could not find anyone with more knowledge of the workings of the Court system and the Clerk of Court office.