Phil Dixon

Phil Dixon primarily works with public defenders and defense lawyers. He joined the School of Government in 2017. Previously, he worked as a defense lawyer in eastern North Carolina for over eight years. During that time, he represented criminal defendants and juveniles charged with all types of crimes at the trial level. In 2023, he was named director of the School’s Public Defense Education group. In collaboration with Indigent Defense Services, he works to provide training and consultation to defenders and other court system actors, as well as to research and write on criminal law and related issues. He earned a bachelor's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and a law degree with highest honors from North Carolina Central University.

Joseph L. Hyde

Joseph L. Hyde is an expert in the areas of criminal law and procedure. His teaching and research support North Carolina’s prosecutors. He also advises on issues related to evidence and appellate procedure. He is the lead contact for NC PRO, the School’s online resource for prosecutors, and contributes to the North Carolina Criminal Law Blog. Hyde joined the School of Government in 2022. He completed state and federal clerkships for the Hon. James A. Wynn, Jr., on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He then worked for more than a decade at the North Carolina Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Appellate and Postconviction Section. Most recently, Hyde served as special deputy attorney general, representing the state in criminal appeals and post-conviction litigation. Hyde earned a bachelor’s degree from Saint John’s College and a J.D. with honors from the UNC School of Law.