Campbell Law 50th Anniversary Spotlight: Joseph Cary Tharrington IV ‘92
Joseph Cary Tharrington IV ‘92 is the Chief Legal Officer for Speedway Motorsports LLC. He serves on the law school’s Board of Visitors. Originally from Louisburg, North Carolina, he earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1989 and served as a Judge Advocate in the Marine Corps.
Current role: Chief Legal Officer for Speedway Motorsports LLC.
Why Campbell Law?
Tharrington knew he wanted to attend law school in North Carolina and was familiar with Campbell Law through his uncle, who had attended law school with founding University President Norman A. Wiggins. After an interview with then Dean Leary Davis, he felt that Campbell would be a good fit for him. He expresses that attending Campbell turned out to be the “best decision of his life” after meeting his wife, Nicole Tharrington, while attending law school. Campbell Law has become a part of the family legacy as his son, J.C. Tharrington, graduated from Campbell Law in 2026.
On practice
Tharrington says his experiences and his interest in motorsports are what drew him toward his current practice area. Before attending Campbell Law, Tharrington was commissioned as a Marine Corps officer and served as a Judge Advocate in the Marine Corps after finishing his basic infantry officer leadership training program. While in the Marine Corps he gained skills in litigation and company counsel work. He worked in civil litigation for several years in Charlotte, North Carolina, and then joined Sonic Automotive before transferring to Speedway Motorsports.
A lesson that stuck
“Prepare, then prepare some more.”
People who shaped you
Tharrington feels that Bruton Smith, founder of Speedway Motorsports and Sonic Automotive, made him a better lawyer by challenging him to look at his work through a wide lens, encouraging Tharrington to evaluate any and all issues impacting the company. Smith insists on having fun regardless of the difficulty of the task at hand, a lesson that helped encourage a positive mindset.
Advice to current students
“Treat law school like your first job in the legal profession, because it is! Prepare for class like it is a work assignment that will impact a client.”
The next 50 years
“Campbell Law’s next 50 years should focus on producing the best lawyers in the legal profession and serving wherever there is a need.”
Sidebar
Favorite Raleigh spot: I grew up in Louisburg, so going way back the favorite spot was the Krispy Kreme store in downtown! Now it is Campbell Law School.
Proudest moment: Watching our son, J.C., graduate from Campbell Law this past May! And not to brag, but with honors.