Citizen Lawyer Class of 2023: Ronald K. Payne

Upon admission to the bar in 1977, Ronald K. Payne of The Van Winkle Law Firm engaged in the private practice of law in Asheville, concentrating primarily in civil litigation. In 1995, he was appointed by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. as Resident Superior Court Judge for the 28th Judicial District. Ron retired as a judge at the end of 2008 and returned to the private practice of law. He is a member of Central United Methodist Church and the Royal Brigade of Guards, as well as a former board member of the Western North Carolina Nature Center. Ron has served Buncombe County in a number of ways, from coaching local youth baseball and basketball teams to creating the Adult Drug Treatment Court of Buncombe County and serving as former chairman of the Buncombe County Democratic Party.