Raleigh's Duncan Earns 4th Circuit Nomination

Former Sen. Jesse Helms and Sen. John Edwards held up previous nominations. But now Helms' successor, Elizabeth Dole, and Edwards agree on a nominee.

She's Allyson Duncan, who spoke to WRAL's David Crabtree during lunch Thursday with her friend, Sen. Dole.

"It's big," Dole said of Duncan's nomination. "It's a very important time."

Said Duncan: "I'm very honored."

Duncan is the president of the State Bar Association. A Duke graduate and former judge, Duncan practices law in Raleigh. She once taught at North Carolina Central's law school, carrying on a family tradition.

"My mother taught at the law school at N.C. Central for over 20 years," Duncan said. "She taught a number of people -- Frank Ballance, Mickey Micheaux."

If confirmed, Duncan would become the first African-American female to serve on the 4th Circuit.

"Just the prospect of serving on it is almost outside the range of my expectations," Duncan said.

Over dessert, the 51-year-old Republican called her nomination "awe inspiring" and "a dream come true.

"It truly is," she said. "That's why awe inspiring is not too strong a term. Even more than exciting because it is the pinnacle of a legal career."

Hearings on the Duncan nomination could start before the end of summer.