At the November 21, 2025 IDS Commission meeting, State Capital Defender Robert Sharpe presented the first “North Carolina Capital Defender’s Award” given under his tenure as the state’s top capital defense attorney.
Sharpe revived this award because he recognizes the importance of honoring private capital defense attorneys who not only do outstanding work but who are also outstanding human beings. Moving forward, recipients of these awards will be selected periodically by the Capital Defender.
Throughout all of 2026, the N.C. Capital Defender’s Award will be given in honor of Attorney Duane K. Bryant’s service.
November 2025
Bryant is a private attorney from High Point, who has spent more than three decades serving clients with integrity, fairness and compassion.
January 2026
“Jack” Warmack is from Eastern North Carolina and has spent more than 40 years representing clients with intelligence, wisdom and kindness.
June 2026
Attorney Ziomek is a graduate of New England School of Law in Boston. She started practicing law in 2002; criminal law in NC in 2005. She is generous with her time, talent and kindness.
August 2026
Mary S. Pollards is the newly retired IDS Executive Director. She made sweeping accomplishments and created many new opportunities for the Office of IDS that will continue to impact the future of public defense for years to come.