N.C. Gen. Stat. § 126A-8-7: Judicial review of fee awards.

A decision of the Office of Administrative Hearings on whether to assess reasonable witnesses' fees or a reasonable attorneys' fee shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with G.S. 126A-8-5(b). The reviewing court may reverse or modify the decision of the Office of Administrative Hearings if the decision is unreasonable or the award is inadequate. An employee who obtains a reversal or modification of the Office of Administrative Hearings' decision in an appeal under this section shall be entitled to recover court costs and a reasonable attorneys' fee for representation in connection with the appeal. (2026-40, s. 1.)