Billings’ career in the courtroom and classroom shaped her service to the School of Law, which in 2011 established the annual Billings, Exum, and Frye National Moot Court Competition to honor her and other chief justices on the school’s advisory board.
The Elon University School of Law remembered Rhoda Bryan Billings, a former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court and a founding member of Elon Law’s advisory board, following her passing over the holidays.
Billings, who died Dec. 29, was instrumental in guiding the law school through its formative years, offering insights from decades of experience in the courtroom, the classroom and bar leadership. As an advisory board member through 2019, her wisdom helped inform the law school’s mission and its emphasis on professionalism, experiential learning and service to the community.
“Chief Justice Billings brought extraordinary insight from her service on the bench and from decades in the classroom. Her guidance helped shape our approach to curriculum and advocacy training in meaningful ways,” said Alan Woodlief, vice dean and professor of law, who has been part of Elon Law’s administration since its founding in 2006. “She modeled professionalism and civility in a way that set a powerful example for our students and for lawyers across the state.”
Billings served four years as a state District Court judge from 1968 to 1972 before joining the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1985. She was appointed chief justice in 1986, becoming the second woman to lead the state’s highest court. She served as president of the N.C. Bar Association from 1991–92.
She joined the faculty at Wake Forest University School of Law in 1977, later retiring as professor emerita. A Wake Forest alumna, Billings earned her law degree from the institution and spent decades mentoring students through teaching and scholarship.
“She modeled professionalism and civility in a way that set a powerful example for our students and for lawyers across the state.”
— Alan Woodlief, Vice Dean and Professor of Law
In 2011, her legacy was enshrined at Elon Law through the establishment of the annual Billings, Exum, and Frye National Moot Court Competition. Named for Billings and fellow former North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justices Jim Exum and Henry Frye, who served simultaneously on Elon Law’s advisory board, the competition reflects Billings’ belief in rigorous preparation, professionalism and excellence in appellate advocacy. The competition’s announcement was attended by former North Carolina Governors James B. Hunt and James E. Holshouser, who called Billings “the sheer epitome” of Elon Law’s emphasis on leadership and service.
“Elon Law was in a unique and fortunate position to have three former North Carolina Supreme Court chief justices serving on our advisory board,” said Woodlief, who also directs the law school’s moot court program. Billings regularly participated in the competition as a final round judge.
“She was always calm, composed and polite, but her questions cut to the heart of the matter,” Woodlief said.
Billings is remembered by colleagues, former students and members of the legal community as a trailblazer whose leadership, integrity and commitment to legal education left a lasting imprint on North Carolina and on Elon Law.