Breaking Barriers: A Conversation with Judge Tia Hudgins Taylor
By Taylor Gibbs and Tia Overway
The NCBA Young Lawyers Division’s DEI Committee is proud to celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month is a time to honor the legacy, contributions and excellence of Black lawyers and judges who continue to shape our profession. This moment of reflection also calls us to examine the current landscape of representation within the legal field in North Carolina.
In North Carolina, voluntary demographic data from the North Carolina State Bar shows that African American attorneys make up just over 9% of active survey respondents. While higher than the national average, the number still reflects the ongoing need to support and retain Black legal professionals across the state.[1]
Against this backdrop, the NCBA YLD DEI Committee is honored to shine a spotlight on leaders who are breaking barriers and strengthening the credibility, inclusiveness and fairness of our legal system. This year, we are proud to feature Judge Hudgins Taylor, a devoted public servant and trailblazer whose path to the bench embodies resilience, representation and purpose.
Her story reflects not only personal excellence but also the broader importance of a judiciary that mirrors the communities it serves.
Judge Tia Hudgins Taylor
From Rocky Mount to the Bench
A proud native of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, Judge Hudgins Taylor credits her close‑knit upbringing with grounding her in a deep sense of accountability, community and purpose. She later attended Elon University School of Law, where she developed the foundation for the career that eventually led her to the judiciary.
Her inspiration to enter the legal profession began early. As the daughter of public servants, she witnessed firsthand the power of integrity, fairness and accountability in shaping a community. These values carried her into practice. When representing clients during some of their most difficult moments, her values gave her a profound appreciation for the role judges play in building public trust. With encouragement from her 12th‑grade U.S. History teacher, Mr. Tedford, mentorship from Judge Matthew Sperati and a loving push from her mother, she pursued a judgeship, which became a natural extension of her commitment to service.
Shaped by Community, Guided by Purpose
Judge Hudgins Taylor’s upbringing in Eastern North Carolina continues to shape her approach on the bench. In Rocky Mount, she learned early that decisions ripple outward and affect real people. This understanding instills humility, preparation, and compassion into her daily work. She recognizes that for many individuals, a courtroom is the most direct encounter they will ever have with the justice system. The significance of this is not lost on her.
Overcoming Barriers Through Work and Will
Like many rising leaders, Judge Hudgins Taylor faced challenges on the road to the bench. Chief among them: perceptions about her youth and years of experience. Instead of internalizing them, she prepared, continued to learn and remained relentless in her work ethic. Over time, she proved that diligence, integrity and skill speak louder than age.
Representation, Visibility, and the Power of Presence
As a Black woman on the bench, Judge Hudgins Taylor understands the weight and meaning of representation: “Representation matters because it builds confidence in the system. When people see judges who reflect the communities they serve, it reinforces the idea that the courts are fair, accessible and legitimate.”
Her identity informs her empathy and awareness, but never her impartiality. She strives to lead a courtroom where every person is heard, treated with dignity, and held to consistent standards. Her awareness of the diverse lived experiences people bring into the courtroom strengthens her commitment to patience, clarity, and respect.
Why Diversity on the Bench Matters
Judge Hudgins Taylor hopes young attorneys understand that diversity in the judiciary is not about preference but perspective. She believes that a bench enriched by varied backgrounds is better equipped to understand complex human realities and to safeguard public trust. To her, diversity strengthens the justice system, expands its credibility and ensures that the law reflects the people it serves.
Judges and the Work of Equity
While judges must remain neutral, Judge Hudgins Taylor believes they play a vital role in advancing equity through:
- fair and consistent application of the law,
- transparency in courtroom practices, and
- respectful treatment of every individual who stands before them.
Equity, she emphasizes, begins with process and is reinforced through everyday interactions.
Judge Hudgins Taylor’s Message to Aspiring Lawyers
To young Black women and others entering the profession, Judge Hudgins Taylor offers clear, empowering advice: “Believe that you belong — because you do. Seek mentors, build community and don’t underestimate the power of preparation. Your perspective is valuable, and your voice matters, even when it feels uncomfortable to use it.”
Black History Month offers an opportunity not only to acknowledge the progress made but also to honor the individuals who are moving the profession forward by their presence, leadership and excellence.
It is in that spirit that the NCBA YLD DEI Committee is proud to highlight Judge Hudgins Taylor. Her journey, service and perspective embody the significance of representation on the bench and the transformative impact it has on our profession and on our communities.
[1] See the NC State Bar Demographic Distribution Report.