Legal Practice Hall of Fame Class of 2024: William P. Pope
William P. Pope (Bill) is known for his quick wit, honesty, and dedication to his clients throughout more than fifty years of practicing law in North Carolina. After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1968, he began his career with the firm of Adams and Dearman in Statesville. Upon attaining partnership status, the firm name changed to Adams, Dearman and Pope, and later became known as Pope McMillan. Pope McMillan continues to serve the Iredell County community with a wide range of services. Bill’s practice has been diverse in every way – he has represented companies big and small, government entities, banks, and individuals from all walks of life in civil litigation, business law and estate planning.
Bill’s strong work ethic was cultivated throughout his childhood on the family farm in Dunn, NC. He served as County Attorney for Iredell County for 32 years, gracefully maintaining neutrality and continuity through different political administrations. Bill was also the attorney representing Mitchell Community College for over 40 years. He was involved in numerous other civic and charitable organizations, and he was one of the drivers behind the reconstruction of Fort Dobbs State Historic Site.
Bill was honored to serve on the State Ethics Commission, an eight-member bipartisan team that ensures elected and appointed officials exercise their authority honestly and fairly. As a lifelong Republican, Bill’s appointment to the State Ethics Commission by a Democrat Governor speaks volumes about Bill’s character. He also served on the State Banking Commission for many years. He has served on the boards of several banks and is currently Vice Chairman of Blue Harbor Bank. In his spare time, Bill has written hundreds of poems and short stories, and he published a compendium of short stories in 2021 called These You Know. Although he officially retired from the practice of law on his eightieth birthday, Bill’s continues to make his community better through close relationships with former clients and colleagues.