Catawba County Assistant District Attorney Nancy Lee was awarded the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism Award at the summer conference of District Attorneys held in Wilmington, N.C., June 16-18, 2025.
The award was presented to Lee for years of service and professional excellence as an assistant district attorney and for “treating others with dignity and respect as everyone would like to be treated.”
She was presented with the Chief Justice’s Certificate of Excellence and a cash award of $250 following her selection as recipient of the prestigious honor. Thirty-sixth Prosecutorial District Attorney Scott Reilly and North Carolina Court of Appeals Chief Judge Chris Dillon made the presentation.
Lee, who will be retiring at the end of this year after 30 years as an ADA, has served in Burke Caldwell and Catawba counties, with the bulk of that time spent in the Caldwell office. She was an intern for the DA’s Office at the age of 16, and her mother worked for the office in the late 1980s.
“I feel like I’ve gown up in this office,” Lee said. “I’ve had some great mentors at every step (of her career).”
The recognition was a surprise to Lee, a culmination of her lengthy and successful career as a prosecutor after she received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed her law degree at North Carolina Central University in Durham.
“It was a surprise; I had no idea that I was even nominated,” she said. “It meant a lot to even be considered. I’m very honored to be selected.”
Lee was nominated by Reilly, who submitted detailed information about Lee’s lengthy and distinguished career that started in 1995 in Caldwell County.
In the nomination, Reilly wrote, “She started her career as Assistant District Attorney serving the citizens of Caldwell County in September of 1995, and to this day continues to seek justice as Assistant District Attorney for Catawba County. In fact, Nancy has served her community as a prosecutor her entire career. For over 29 years, Nancy has exemplified professionalism in her dealings with victims, law enforcement, defendants and defense counsel. She has been a leader and mentor for other prosecutors in the district, serving for many years as senior managing ADA and chief ADA for Caldwell County. Nancy has received recognition from multiple law enforcement agencies, victims and defense attorneys as a diligent, effective and ethical prosecutor. She has worked with local law enforcement agencies to establish best practices in investigating and prosecuting offenders, thereby bringing criminals to justice while ensuring that constitutional rights of those accused are always protected.”
Reilly also highlighted the way she vigorously prosecuted drug cases in Caldwell County when fentanyl distribution and use became a growing problem, especially with a rise in overdoses and deaths.
“In 2018, it became apparent that fentanyl was being brought into Caldwell County and numerous residents began overdosing. Four citizens died because of drug toxicity. In fact, seven people overdosed in Caldwell County on Memorial Day weekend alone,” Reilly wrote. “The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office along with the Lenoir Police Department initiated a joint investigation to determine the source of the drug distribution. Nancy Lee was assigned to work with investigators to build cases and convict those responsible for the overdoses and deaths. She successfully obtained convictions for second-degree murder and death by distribution in several cases. Her aggressive prosecution was instrumental in shutting down the drugs from coming into Caldwell County. I have no doubt that lives were saved because of Nancy’s work.”
Lee’s dedication to professionalism and her community extends beyond the courthouse. She has served as a board member of the Catawba County Historical Association, treasurer of Murray’s Mill Festival, member of the Caldwell County Criminal Justice Partnership and a board member of the Robin’s Nest Children’s Advocacy Center. She has participated in numerous career days and mock trial for local elementary schools.
She also has supervised high school, undergraduate and law school interns, and has shown her commitment to veterans by serving as the ADA in Catawba County Veterans’ Treatment Court.
“Throughout her career, Nancy has handled the most serious of cases in our community, including homicides, adult sex offenses and child sex offenses with dignity, integrity and professionalism,” Reilly wrote. “Nancy exemplifies what it is to be a professional advocate for justice and is a shining example for the next generation of prosecutors.”