Legal Practice Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Joseph B. Cheshire V

Joseph B. Cheshire, V is the senior partner with the law firm Cheshire Parker Schneider, PLLC. He has practiced criminal defense law throughout the United States for the past 50 years. He received his law degree from Wake Forest University. His practice involves the defense of felony criminal cases in state and federal courts with an emphasis on white-collar crime and homicide defense. He has also represented lawyers before the North Carolina State Bar. In addition to his practice, Joe was a  founding commission member and chair (2001-2010) of the North Carolina Indigent Defense Commission which is responsible for all indigent criminal (including appeals), juvenile, social service, mental commitment, guardian ad litem and other indigent representation for the people of the State of North Carolina. Joe is a past-president of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (formerly the North  Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers). Joe served as an appointed member of the North Carolina  Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission (2007-2011) and was an appointed member of the Governor’s Judicial Nominating Commission (2012 – 2013). Joe has tried cases in 85 of North Carolina’s  100 counties, 14 states and 3 foreign countries. He has been included in Best Lawyers in America since its inception. He has been named in a vote of his peers as North Carolina’s best criminal defense lawyer and one of North Carolina’s top 100 lawyers listing all disciplines. He was ranked number one lawyer in North Carolina in Super Lawyers Magazine for 6 consecutive years. Joe has lectured throughout the United States on matters related to criminal law and legal ethics. Joe is a Fellow of the  American Board of Criminal Lawyers and the American College of Trial Lawyers. In 2008, Joe received The Old North State Award from the State of North Carolina for dedication and service beyond expectation and excellence to the State and its citizens, as well as the Thurgood Marshall Award for his extraordinary and selfless service to the people of North Carolina and its Justice System. In 2010, Joe received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the State of North Carolina for his proven record of extraordinary service to the state. He is married to his wife of 53 years, Carolyn, and has two sons and three grandchildren.