Patricia Timmons-Goodson

Patricia Ann "Pat" Timmons-Goodson (born September 18, 1954) is an American judge and politician who served on the North Carolina Supreme Court from 2006 to 2012. She previously served on the United States Commission on Civil Rights and is a former nominee to be a federal judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Timmons-Goodson ran for Congress in 2020.

Early life and education Timmons-Goodson was born in Florence, South Carolina, the daughter of a U.S. Army enlisted man (Sergeant First Class) and homemaker, and was raised on military bases in the United States and Europe. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech in 1976. She received a Juris Doctor in 1979 from University of North Carolina School of Law. In 2014, she received a Master of Laws degree in Judicial Studies from the Duke University School of Law.

Timmons-Goodson wrote that she was inspired to become a judge after Judge Elreta Alexander-Ralston visited her speech class in 1974. Alexander-Ralston was the first black judge Timmons-Goodson had met, and her powerful speech and elegant presentation were inspiring. In 2012, she wrote a detailed tribute to Judge Elreta Alexander-Ralston, which helped uncover her legacy for modern audiences.

Career She began her career working as a district manager for the United States Census Bureau’s Charlotte Regional Office, from 1979 to 1980. From 1981 to 1983, she served as an assistant district attorney for the 12th judicial district in Fayetteville, North Carolina. From 1983 to 1984, she was a staff attorney for Lumbee River Legal Services. Court of Appeals Judge Cheri Beasley was appointed to fill her seat. In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed her to the United States Commission on Civil Rights. She formerly served as the Vice Chair of the Commission.

2020 campaign for Congress In 2019, Timmons-Goodson filed to run for the United States House of Representatives seat representing North Carolina's 8th congressional district. The 8th district covered all or part of 7 counties including Cabarrus, Stanly, Montgomery, Moore, Lee, Harnett, and Cumberland. Timmons-Goodson lost to incumbent Republican Richard Hudson in the general election in November 2020, by 53% to 47%.

Academia On July 1, 2023, Timmons-Goodson was named Dean of North Carolina Central University School of Law. She retired from that position in 2025.

Personal life Timmons-Goodson is a member of The Links.