Ronald Payne

Ronald K. Payne is Of Counsel at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, with more than 47 years of legal experience. He joined the firm in 2025 and works out of the Asheville, North Carolina area. His practice includes eminent domain matters, where he has successfully increased a client's easement offer by nearly seven times the original.

Payne earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics with honors from North Carolina State University in 1974 and his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law in 1977.

A former North Carolina Superior Court Judge for 14 years (1995-2008), Payne was appointed by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. and won election in 1996 and re-election in 2004. He presided over major trials including medical malpractice and capital murder cases.

He is admitted to the North Carolina Bar and is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and North Carolina Advocates for Justice.

His honors include the North Carolina Bar Association Citizen Lawyer Award (2023) and the North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers Outstanding Trial Judge Award (2002).