New judge doesn't care for rule of law.

• Position: Charlotte

During a weeklong seminar for newly elected judges in December, Bill Belk posed a delicate question: Can judges In North Carolina sit on corporate boards? Having been a director of Charlotte-based car dealer Sonic Automotive Inc. for 10 years, he had a keen interest in the answer. Forbes magazine also listed him as a vice president and director for Monroe Hardware Co. "The advice I gave him during the class was that if it's a business concern, he'd have to resign," says Paul Ross, executive director of the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission. "He expressed that he thought that was not a good rule."

Belk, grandson of the founder of the Belk department store chain, was sworn in Jan. 1 as a district court judge in Mecklenburg County. A month into his term, he still held a seat on Sonic's board, and most of those involved are loathe to speak publicly about what appears to be a breach of judicial ethics--as well as a minor public-relations problem for the companies involved. Beyond his encounter with Belk last year, Ross refused to discuss particulars, including whether any complaints have been filed against Belk. Steve Coss, Sonic's general counsel, declined comment. Neither Belk nor Monroe Hardware President Greg Allred returned phone calls.

The state code of judicial ethics says judges "should not serve as an officer, director or manager of any business," though they can manage their own investments and serve on nonprofit boards. Belk is expected to challenge the rule, and its use of "should"...