In Memoriam: Governor Jim Hunt

Womble Bond Dickinson mourns the loss of a North Carolina legend—and a friend to many at the firm.

Retired Womble Bond Dickinson Partner and former four-term N.C. Governor Jim Hunt passed away December 18 at the age of 88.

After leaving office, Gov. Hunt joined Womble Bond Dickinson (then Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC) in 2001. He spent 12 years in firm’s Raleigh office, where he primarily worked with the Economic Development Team.

Gov. Hunt was known across the nation as the “Education Governor.” During his tenure, he put North Carolina at the forefront of education reform efforts. After leaving public office, he remained a passionate advocate for public education.

In the 1980s, Gov. Hunt and the Carnegie Corporation of New York created the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, which he chaired for 10 years. The Board creates and promotes the highest level of professional standards for teachers. In the last decade of his governorship, the schools of North Carolina increased standardized test scores more than any other state in America.

His early childhood education program, Smart Start, stands out as a defining highlight of his tenure in office. Smart Start has been a model states across the nation in preparing pre-school children for success in school.

In addition, Gov. Hunt was instrumental in establishing Research Triangle Park as a global center for medical and scientific innovation.

His daughter, current N.C. Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, said, “He devoted his life to serving the people of North Carolina, guided by a belief that public service should expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and always put people first. His leadership and compassion left a lasting impact on the lives of countless North Carolinians. To our family, he was a loving husband, dad, and granddad whose kindness and steady hand shaped our lives in immeasurable ways.”

The Womble Bond Dickinson family extends our sympathies to Carolyn, his wife of 67 years, their four children, grandchildren, and many friends.