Judge Darren Jackson is a lifelong resident of eastern Wake County, father of three and grandfather of one. He and his wife Tina live outside of Knightdale.

Judge Jackson attended public elementary and middle schools in eastern Wake County, UNC-Chapel Hill, and then Duke University School of Law.

After graduating law school, Judge Jackson practiced law with the firm of Gay, Stroud & Jackson (later renamed Gay, Jackson & McNally) in Zebulon. There, he enjoyed a typical small-town general practice with an emphasis on real estate and civil litigation. In his twenty- five years of practice, he litigated both criminal and civil cases in all levels of the state courts, from Small Claims Court to the North Carolina Supreme Court, as well as United States District and Bankruptcy Courts as well as working on appeals to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

In addition to his law practice, for 12 years, Judge Jackson served in the North Carolina General Assembly.

Professional Organizations

• North Carolina Sentencing Commission (appointed by Speakers Tillis and Moore; 2013- 2017)
• North Carolina Courts Commission (appointed by Governors McCrory and Cooper; 2015-2017)

Honors and Awards

• Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyer in Litigation for Ethical Standards and Legal Ability
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving Legislator of the Year (2013, 2015)
• State Employees Association Lisa B. Mitchell Legislator of the Year (2102, 2018)
• North Carolina Sherriff’s Association Defender of Public Safety (2019)
• Police Benevolent Association Legislative Excellence Award (2018)