Joseph M. Buckner

Judge Joe Buckner

Judge Joe Buckner brings three decades of courtroom work in family law to his mediation practice. His goal is to resolve conflict fairly and bring contested cases to a quick and just end.

He is a certified Family Financial Mediator and has guided complex disputes to a successful resolution, saving litigants time and money, and ending their anxiety about outcomes for the families.

Judge Buckner is available to mediate in person or remotely via teleconference for parties who are represented by licensed attorneys. Please write judgejoebuckner@gmail.com for scheduling and rates.

Biography

Judge Buckner is a native of Siler City, NC and served as District Court Judge 15B for 26 years until his retirement. He was appointed Chief District Court Judge in 1996 and served as chief for 24 years under six different Chief Justices of the NC Supreme Court. Prior to his election as judge he worked in private practice at Epting & Hackney law firm and holds undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Judge Buckner has statewide ties to the legal profession and continues to serve as an emergency judge in courtrooms across the state. He is past president of the NC District Court Judges’ Association and the NC Conference of Chief Judges. He served as a member of the Governor’s Crime Commission and chaired its Crime Victims Services committee.

Early Influences

Joe was born in Chatham County North Carolina. Joe’s parents owned and operated a funeral business where Joe began working when he was eight years old. Joe’s work tenacity and human empathy were strongly developed working with grieving families providing service and solace during their times of painful loss. Joe was also deeply influenced by his grandfather’s wisdom and perspectives who served their small town as its police chief for twenty-eight years.

Joe received his education in the public schools and enjoyed his teammates and competitions in football, tennis and track. Joe was a finalist for the Morehead Scholarship. Joe was recognized as a leader in scouts, athletics and student life having served as Captain of the Boys’ Monogram Club, class officers and numerous leadership positions in his local troop and in the scouting honor society the Order of the Arrow.

"Joe Buckner is one of my go-to mediators. He is smart, empathetic, practical, and result oriented. His decades of legal experience from the bench allow him to fashion solutions that are both faster and better for many than proceeding to litigation. I recommend him for both pre and post filing mediations, both for in-person sessions and remote mediations."

Leigh Peek / Leigh Peek, Attorney at Law, P.C.

"I would highly recommend Judge Buckner as a mediator in family law cases. My clients and I have found him to be compassionate, efficient, effective, knowledgeable and highly professional."

Autumn Osbourne / Ellis Family Law, P.L.L.C.

Services

Joe has been certified by the NC Dispute Resolution Commission as a Family Financial Mediator for mediated settlement conferences.

Fees

Judge Buckner's standard rate for mediation is $200 per hour with a one time $200 administrative fee, equally divided between the parties.

Cancellation

In the event the parties have to cancel a scheduled mediation within ten days of the mediation date, the mediation cancellation fee is $200 unless the cancellation is due to a recognized conflict and can be rescheduled. The reason we seek a cancellation fee is because that day or day part is lost for scheduling other matters on such short notice, and that work day or day part is lost.