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Susan Marie Dotson-Smith
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Susan Marie Dotson-Smith is a District Court Judge for Judicial District 40, which serves Buncombe County, North Carolina. She was appointed to the court by Governor Bev Perdue on October 13, 2012, filling the vacancy created by the departure of Judge Rebecca B. Knight.
Background and education
Dotson-Smith earned her undergraduate degree from Duke University and her Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law.
Career
Before her appointment to the bench, Dotson-Smith was in private practice in Asheville, North Carolina, for approximately twenty years. She also served as a primary hearing officer for the Buncombe County Clerk of Court. She is certified as a superior court mediator and as a mediator in matters before the clerk.
Dotson-Smith has served on the North Carolina Courts Commission, the North Carolina Bar Association's Law-Related Education Committee, the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys Board, and the North Carolina Women's Forum Board. She has also been active in Mock Trial and Moot Court programs.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
North Carolina — campaign finance
- State, county, and municipal candidates — all in one system — NC State Board of Elections — Committee Search. Search by last name “Dotson-Smith”.
North Carolina — statement of economic interest
- Required for state-elected and many local officials — NC State Ethics Commission — Statement of Economic Interest Search. Search by last name “Dotson-Smith”.