The Honorable Denise S. Hartsfield is a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She attended the public schools graduating from East Forsyth High School. Upon graduation, she attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia receiving a BA degree in English. She obtained a Jurist Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law, excelling in trial and appellate advocacy. At Wake Law School, she was the first recipient of the Dean’s “Leadership Award”.

Judge Hartsfield served five (5) terms as a District Court Judge in Forsyth County. Her legal career began in 1991 and has included federal judicial clerkships, government attorney positions and academia. In these positions, she is privileged to have mentored many young attorneys in the state.

Since her retirement from the bench, Judge Hartsfield is an Adjunct Professor of Law at the Wake Forest University School of Law. At the Law School she teaches Juvenile Justice in North Carolina and is the Supervising Attorney for several Pro Bono projects to include: an expungement project, a Know Your Rights project and Teen Court. In this capacity, Judge Hartsfield is able to expose law students to the entire community for these projects.

She is a forty-five (45) year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In 2025, she chaired the Jabberwock Committee of the Sorority with fifteen (15) young women receiving college scholarships. She is also a member of the North Carolina Bar

Association and the past President of both Winston-Salem and Forsyth County bars. She is also, a member of the Juvenile Justice Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. In 2024, Judge Hartsfield received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award, the highest honor bestowed upon North Carolina citizens for exemplary commitment and excellence to the state by Governor Roy Cooper. Additionally, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Redd Heart Organization for fifteen (15) years of service. She also received the NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award at the NAACP Freedom Fund Gala.

In 2026, Judge Hartsfield was recognized as one of the 7 over Seventy honorees in Forsyth County. She was recognized for continued work with children and youth, particularly with the juvenile population. She also joined the Adjunct Faculty at Winston- Salem State University in the History, Justice Study, and Political Science. At Winston- Salem State University, Judge Hartsfield leads the Honors Political Science Majors in seminars with emphasis on juvenile legislation, case law, and intern opportunities and the juvenile justice arena.