My name is Aminah Thompson, and I am honored to serve Durham County as its first Black and first woman Clerk of Superior Court. With more than 18 years of leadership and public service, my career has been grounded in integrity, accountability, and a deep commitment to equity and justice.
As Clerk of Superior Court, I now perform the full scope of judicial, statutory, and administrative responsibilities of the office. I oversee complex legal matters involving estates, guardianships, foreclosures, and real property, while also managing court records, safeguarding public funds, and leading a team of more than 70 dedicated professionals. Under my leadership, Durham County successfully transitioned to Enterprise Justice (eCourts)—a historic modernization that improved accuracy, transparency, and access across the court system. I have also prioritized plain-language forms, clearer processes, and direct communication, because justice should be understandable—not intimidating.
I approach this role with humility and care, fully aware that the decisions and systems overseen by the Clerk’s Office have immediate and lasting impacts on families, property, and legacies. I am committed to being deliberate, compassionate, and fair in every aspect of my work, and to continuing to lead an office that reflects the values of the community it serves.
My Story
I was born in Greenville, South Carolina, to parents who were educators and lifelong advocates for civil rights and social justice. They instilled in me the values of education, integrity, and service, and taught me the importance of demanding equal access to information—and then sharing that knowledge with the broader community. My formative years were shaped in Massachusetts and Kansas before I moved to Durham in 1999 for college. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Duke University and my Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
Since law school, my career has been dedicated to public service. My professional journey has given me a front-row view of how the justice system affects people’s lives—often at their most vulnerable moments. Before becoming Clerk, I served fourteen years as a magistrate, performing judicial duties that touched nearly every aspect of daily court operations. I presided over civil and landlord-tenant matters, administrative traffic court, and conditions of release; issued warrants and involuntary commitments; handled ex parte domestic violence protective orders; and officiated hundreds of marriages. That experience revealed both the promise of our courts and the urgent need for modernization, clarity, and greater public access.
Durham is the place I chose to build my life and my career—a city with a powerful history, a strong sense of community, and extraordinary potential. I live in Durham with my husband and six-year-old son. Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, playing tennis, and sharing new experiences with friends and family. Serving as Clerk of Superior Court is both a professional responsibility and a personal commitment to the people who call Durham home.
Community Engagement
A long-time Durham resident, I immerse myself in the community by serving on various boards and committees. I am a proud member of Union Baptist Church and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Alpha Zeta Omega Chapter (Iota Mu Spring 2002). In addition, I serve many professional, educational, and civic organizations. These include:
Professional & Judicial Leadership
- North Carolina Conference of Clerks of Superior Court
- Judicial Branch Language Access Stakeholders Committee
- North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers
- Durham County Bar Association
- George H. White Bar Association
- International Association of Woman Judges
Civic Leadership & Community Advocacy
- Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People – former Legal Redress Vice-Chair
- Durham People’s Alliance – former Racial Equity Action Team Co-Lead
- LIFE Skills Foundation – Past Vice President, Board of Directors
Educational & Alumni Leadership
- Duke Black Alumni – Regional Board Co-Chair
- Duke Alumni Association – Past Regional Board Secretary
- Association for the Advancement of Educational Research – Leadership Council
You can find my writing on housing discrimination published in The Encyclopedia of Diversity and Social Justice, and that on actualization, published in Until It’s Time: A Collection of Essays on the Power of Waiting.