RALEIGH – Recently appointed U.S. Attorney Robert Higdon, Jr. will speak to Campbell Law School’s Christian Legal Society during a lunch program on Wednesday, Feb. 28 beginning at noon. Higdon, who was nominated by President Donald Trump last August, confirmed by the Senate the following month, and sworn into office last October, serves as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
As U.S. Attorney, Higdon is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Eastern District of N.C., which includes the 44 eastern most counties of the state. He oversees a staff of 108 employees, including 51 attorneys and 57 non-attorney support personnel. The office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms, and narcotics. The office also defends the U.S. in civil cases and collects debts owed to the government.
“Having spent a career in the federal courts, I am well aware that the United States Attorney is likely the most important lawyer in our region,” said Campbell Law Dean J. Rich Leonard. “I am delighted that we have a seasoned professional like Bobby Higdon in that role.”
A native of Greensboro, Higdon spent nearly 24 years as a federal prosecutor, including serving as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in both the Western and Eastern Districts of N.C. He has supervised and prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases, including narcotic traffickers, white collar and public corruption matters, mail and wire fraud, bribery, false statements, Foreign Corrupt Practices, violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act, violations of import/export regulations, money laundering, theft of government property, and violations involving government contracting and programs. Higdon has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the investigation and resolution of violations by a private security firm, a criminal investigation that returned the state’s original copy of the Bill of Rights to the State more than 130 years after it was stolen by Federal Troops, and the prosecution of numerous public officials.
Campbell Law’s Christian Legal Society meets regularly and encourages participants “to love their neighbors as themselves.” The student organization participates in numerous service projects throughout the year, including Operation Christmas Child, and local clothing and book drives for charity.