WINDSOR – Derek Brown may be new to his most current job within the local legal community, but his vast experience in that profession will make him a valuable public servant of Judicial District 6B (Bertie, Hertford and Northampton counties).

Recently, District 6B Attorney Valerie Asbell appointed Brown as her newest Assistant District Attorney. Chief District Court Judge W. Rob Lewis administered the Oath of Office to Brown in Bertie County District Court, an event witnessed by members of Brown’s family, the District Attorney’s staff, and those within the local community.

While he rises in judicial rank, Brown is not new to Asbell’s office. In 2005, Asbell’s office received a Federal Grant for Prosecution of Domestic Violence Offenses in the 6B District and Asbell hired Brown for that position. He initially worked as the Domestic Violence Prosecutor in 2005 and 2006.  During that time, alongside prosecuting all of the domestic violence cases in 6B, Brown worked with local organizations, schools, and churches to promote Domestic Violence Awareness and worked closely with the Roanoke Chowan Domestic Violence Task Force.

“Derek is an outstanding, honest person and a very talented trial attorney,” Asbell said. “Derek excelled as my Domestic Violence Prosecutor for two years.  His talent as a trial attorney has only grown since he has been in private practice and his dedication to the law and his community is beyond reproach.”

Asbell added, “He has a sophisticated understanding of people and he is sensitive to the needs of the community.  He will be a zealous advocate for the victims of crime in my District because of his tremendous capacity for fairness, compassion, and empathy. I am very fortunate and blessed to have him as part of my prosecutorial team in Bertie, Hertfordand Northampton counties.”

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Judge Lewis stated, “I have known Derek for many years.  He has been a diligent professional attorney, and I look forward to working with him in the future.”

Resident Superior Court Judge Cy A. Grant Sr. was also present for the ceremony and stated, “I look forward to working with Derek. I have worked with Derek in Pitt County as a defense attorney.  He is an outstanding lawyer and he will be an asset to the District Attorney’s Office in Bertie, Hertford and Northampton counties.”

Brown graduated from North Carolina A & T University in 1993 where he majored in Chemical Engineering. While in college, he was on the Dean’s List from 1991-1993 and was a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society.

After college, Brown graduated from Campbell University School of Law with his Juris Doctorate in 1996 where he also received the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers Advocacy Award in 1996.

He began his legal career alongside his father, Attorney Earl T. Brown, in 1996 in his law office in Greenville. He was again working with his father at The Brown Law Firm, P.C. when he decided to joined the 6B District Attorney’s Office.

During his professional career, Brown has worked in numerous legal capacities, including working as an Advising Attorney for Millennia Community Bank in Greenville from 1998-1999, and as an Associate in the Office of Darrell Whitley, Attorney at Law, from 2000-2001. Brown also served as Legislative Counsel to Congressman Frank W. Ballance, Jr. from January 2003 to July 2004.

Brown is married with three children. Throughout his career, he has been very active in the community, to include but is not limited to, serving as a member of the Eastern North Carolina Inn of Court since March 2011, member of the Criminal Justice Partnership Advisory Act Board from 2008-2010, member of the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers from 1996-present, member of the National Association For the Advancement of Colored People, Life Member, since 1997, member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from April 2006 to the present, and member of Kappa Alpha Psi from 1998 to present.