Charles E. Rice, III (Retired, Former Chief District Court Judge)

(1945-2019)

Rice retired after almost forty years of legal experience, with a focus on family law. He successfully represented clients in settlement negotiations, hearings, and trials.

Rice came to Wilmington, North Carolina in 1970 and established a law practice focusing on civil and criminal litigation. He served as a trial attorney for eight years, and then was appointed District Court Judge. Later, he was elected to three terms as a District Court Judge. After thirteen years of experience as a trial judge, Rice was appointed Chief District Court Judge of the fifth judicial district, which includes New Hanover and Pender counties.

In 1992, Judge Rice left the bench and established the Law Firm of Charles E. Rice, III. This firm became Rice Law, PLLC in 2005. Over the past thirteen years, Rice has represented more than 600 clients primarily with family law related issues, including alimony, child custody, child support, divorce, equitable distribution, post-separation support, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.

Rice passed away in 2019.

Bar Admissions

• North Carolina, 1970
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina, 1970
• U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1977

Education & Court Admissions

• J.D., 1970
  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
• A.B., English, 1967
  Duke University, Durham, NC