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Jun., 2010 - Mecklenburg County Bar

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13<br />

Special Committee on<br />

discovered that the song is basically a love noble motives at play too, such as a desire for<br />

song about following your heart. Upon recognition and influence. But in the end, I<br />

Diversity<br />

further reflection, I was relieved to conclude did it for love and because of that it’s all been<br />

14<br />

Volunteer Lawyer Program that I could make the case, albeit ex post worth it.<br />

14 Memorials<br />

facto, that I had it right all along, and that As I pass the torch to my capable<br />

my reflexive and unthinking response to life’s successor, Todd Brown, I am grateful that our<br />

15 Young Lawyers Division <strong>Bar</strong> remains strong, vibrant and relevant. I<br />

<strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong><br />

A publication of the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> /26th Judicial District Vol. 36 No. 12 © <strong>2010</strong> <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong><br />

2<br />

Show & Tell with Your BFF<br />

3<br />

BFF Campaign Progress<br />

4<br />

VLP Spotlight<br />

5<br />

VLP Pro Bono Awards<br />

2009-10 Committee<br />

From The President<br />

What’s it all about?<br />

& Section Summaries<br />

“What’s it all questions, including my own self-indulgent<br />

6<br />

<strong>Bar</strong> History<br />

about, Alfie?” ones.<br />

When I am grappling<br />

with the<br />

6<br />

Continuing Legal Education<br />

What’s it all about, Alfie?<br />

7 Communications<br />

Is it just for the moment we live?<br />

meaning of life<br />

What’s it all about when you sort it out, Alfie?<br />

and other<br />

7<br />

Corporate Counsel<br />

Are we meant to take more than we give?<br />

weighty issues, I<br />

Or are we meant to be kind?<br />

8<br />

Estate Planning and Probate<br />

have a habit of<br />

Patrick E. Kelly, MCB President<br />

And if only fools are kind, Alfie,<br />

asking this<br />

9<br />

Fee Dispute Resolution<br />

Then I guess it’s wise to be cruel.<br />

question to myself, out loud. I usually get<br />

And if life belongs to the strong, Alfie,<br />

strange looks from others when I do. I am<br />

9<br />

Finance and Operations<br />

What will you lend on an old golden rule?<br />

not really sure how I got in the habit of<br />

As sure as I believe there’s a heaven above, Alfie,<br />

9<br />

Future <strong>Bar</strong>/<br />

asking this particular question, other than it<br />

I know there’s something much more,<br />

Foundation Center<br />

sounds profound and seems to capture the<br />

Something even non-believers can believe in.<br />

9 Grievance<br />

unfathomability of life’s deeper questions. As<br />

I believe in love, Alfie.<br />

I reflect on my past year as MCB President, I<br />

Without true love we just exist, Alfie.<br />

10<br />

Immigration & Nationality find myself asking this same question, or at<br />

least a variation of it: “Why the heck did I do So maybe the best answer I can give to my<br />

10<br />

Lawyer Referral Service<br />

this and was it worth it?”<br />

question is that I did it for love. Not romantic<br />

11<br />

McMillan Fund<br />

I have never seen the movie Alfie and love, of course. Love of the profession and<br />

didn’t even know the rest of the words to the professionalism. Love of the rule of law. Love<br />

12<br />

Professionalism, Lawyer Life title song until I sat down to write this of equal access to justice. Love of duty, honor<br />

and Culture<br />

column. Concerned that I might have been and country. Love of a higher calling. Love of<br />

12<br />

Strategic Planning<br />

misusing the line for many years, I did what service to others. Love of friendship and<br />

any serious scholar would do—I googled. As camaraderie. Love of a challenge. Things we<br />

12<br />

Social Sports<br />

I perused the lyrics for the first time, I all love. OK, so maybe there were other less<br />

difficult questions, and the lyrics associated<br />

with it, actually help to answer these<br />

continued on page 4


Do you<br />

remember<br />

Show & Tell Day?<br />

Do you remember the excitement you felt as a<br />

child on the special day when it was your turn<br />

to bring in your prized possession and share it<br />

with your friends and classmates? For the<br />

<strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Foundation, Show & Tell<br />

Day is today. We asked some of your<br />

colleagues whose agencies receive financial<br />

support from the MBF to share with us, in<br />

their own words, what the Foundation’s<br />

support means to them. We are excited to<br />

share with you just a few of the ways your<br />

gifts to the Foundation have made a difference<br />

in the lives of others over the years.<br />

Anne L. Crotty—<br />

International House<br />

“Grants from the MBF have been<br />

invaluable to our immigration law clinic at<br />

International House.” So begins the email<br />

from Anne L. Crotty, immigration attorney for<br />

International House (IH). Ms. Crotty goes on<br />

to outline some of the projects your gifts have<br />

funded, including: training in Program<br />

Management and advanced training in family<br />

immigration; purchase of a web-based case<br />

management system, which enables IH to<br />

track cases and enhance client services; and<br />

obtain Bureau of Indian Affairs accreditation<br />

for the IH senior paralegal. International<br />

House has also been awarded a McMillan<br />

Fellowship each year for the past three years.<br />

“The BFF has played a major part in helping<br />

our clinic grow from its ‘start-up’ roots in<br />

2002 into a major provider of family and<br />

naturalization immigration services for lowincome<br />

clients. I frankly don’t know what we<br />

would have done without the BFF funding.<br />

Perhaps we could have somehow financed the<br />

continuing education, the case management<br />

system and the prerequisites for BIA<br />

recognition and accreditation, but I don’t<br />

know how. I have to say that our clients are<br />

able to obtain high-quality services due in<br />

large measure to the funding from the<br />

Foundation. We are deeply grateful.”<br />

Show & Tell with Your BFF<br />

Spencer B. Merriweather III —<br />

Former McMillan Fellow<br />

Former McMillan Fellow Spencer B.<br />

Merriweather III writes: “When I applied for a<br />

McMillan Fellowship in the summer of 2003,<br />

I couldn’t possibly have imagined how<br />

significantly it would impact my career as an<br />

attorney. In that summer after my first year of<br />

law school, I was fortunate to have secured an<br />

internship in the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong><br />

District Attorney’s Office, but I worried how I<br />

would survive a summer in Charlotte since<br />

the internship did not offer a stipend. The<br />

McMillan Fellowship I received helped me<br />

meet my living expenses in Charlotte, while I<br />

engaged in a noteworthy public service. That<br />

summer, I prepared court motions and legal<br />

memoranda, and I even got to assist two<br />

Assistant District Attorneys in a murder trial.<br />

By the end of that summer, I had enjoyed a<br />

fulfilling practical experience in the law, and<br />

unlike friends doing public interest work<br />

elsewhere, I didn’t have to incur substantial<br />

debt to have that experience.<br />

All that said, for me, the true benefits of<br />

the McMillan Fellowship weren’t realized at<br />

the end of summer I received the stipend. In<br />

fact, the true benefits of the Fellowship<br />

continue to be realized every day I get to go to<br />

work at a job for which I have such great<br />

passion. Without that Fellowship, I may not<br />

have found the sense of happiness and<br />

fulfillment I found when I returned to the<br />

District Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor.<br />

Without it, perhaps I may not have been as<br />

eager to learn about the shining example of<br />

integrity and courage offered by Judge<br />

McMillan. Without the Fellowship, perhaps, I<br />

may not have been introduced to a<br />

community of lawyers as spirited and collegial<br />

as the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong>.<br />

Simply said, I was honored to be a<br />

recipient of the McMillan Fellowship, I feel<br />

lucky to have been introduced to my career<br />

because of the Fellowship program, and I’m<br />

proud to be a member of a <strong>Bar</strong> that continues<br />

to support it.”<br />

Brett A. Loftis—<br />

Council for Children’s Rights<br />

The <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Foundation is vital<br />

to the Custody Advocate Program of the<br />

Council for Children’s Rights. With your<br />

support, we are able to represent children<br />

caught in the middle of high-conflict<br />

custody disputes. The program, started in<br />

1987, has helped thousands of children<br />

through parental separation over the last 20<br />

years. The following story highlights just<br />

one of those needs:<br />

Meet Sam. What happened to Sam’s<br />

family was not unusual. In fact, it is<br />

becoming increasingly common. But this<br />

fact did not make the whole mess any<br />

easier for a nine year-old.<br />

Your father is a bad man, his mother told<br />

him. His father had, after all, cheated on<br />

Sam’s mother – but did that mean he<br />

loved Sam any less?<br />

Your mother is crazy, don’t listen to<br />

anything she says, his father told him. She<br />

had, after all, developed an addiction to<br />

pain killers and had threatened suicide<br />

on more than one occasion – but did that<br />

mean she loved Sam any less?<br />

It seemed to Sam that the world was<br />

closing in. The family he knew was<br />

ripped in half, and he was being asked to<br />

choose. In all the fighting, someone<br />

forgot that Sam is not a bargaining chip;<br />

someone forgot that a child’s needs<br />

should come first in a custody<br />

arrangement.<br />

Recognizing the anger with which Sam’s<br />

parents were discussing their separation<br />

in court, and not knowing what would be<br />

best for Sam, the judge appointed the<br />

Council for Children’s Rights Custody<br />

Advocacy Program to his case. The staff<br />

attorney and two volunteers immediately<br />

began working with Sam and his parents.<br />

They met with each parent separately.<br />

They interviewed Sam’s grandparents,<br />

teachers, and doctors. They met with<br />

continued on page 15<br />

2 <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> www.meckbar.org


<strong>2010</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Foundation Fund Campaign Progress<br />

The <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Foundation is pleased to announce that collectively the following firms, legal departments, corporations and individuals<br />

have pledged and/or contributed more than $104,000 toward our goal of $200,000 as of May 13, <strong>2010</strong>. Thank you for supporting your BFF!<br />

Firm Sponsors<br />

Platinum ($7,500–$9,999)<br />

Alston & Bird LLP+<br />

Hunton & Williams+<br />

K & L Gates+<br />

McGuireWoods LLP+<br />

Moore & Van Allen PLLC+<br />

Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP+<br />

Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.+<br />

Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice,<br />

PLLC+<br />

Gold ($5,000–$7,499)<br />

Johnston, Allison & Hord, P.A.+<br />

Poyner & Spruill, LLP+<br />

Silver ($2,500–$4,999)<br />

Foundation for Judicial Reform<br />

In Honor of Mark R. Bernstein<br />

Hamilton Moon Stephens Steele &<br />

Martin, PLLC+<br />

Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe &<br />

Garofalo, L.L.P.+<br />

Horack Talley PA+<br />

King & Spalding LLP+<br />

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough,<br />

LLP+<br />

Nexsen Pruet, PLLC+<br />

Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP+<br />

Bronze ( up to $2,499)<br />

Bank of America Legal Department<br />

Baucom, Claytor, Benton, Morgan &<br />

Wood, P.A.<br />

Charlotte School of Law<br />

Consolidated Planning<br />

In Honor of Bryan Sanchez & Jessie<br />

Nelson<br />

Cranfill, Sumner & Hartzog, LLP<br />

Culp Elliott & Carpenter. P.L.L.C.<br />

Duke Energy Law Department<br />

Ferguson, Stein, Chambers, Gresham &<br />

Sumter, P.A.<br />

Wells Fargo Legal Department<br />

Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman,<br />

PA<br />

+ Multiyear Pledge to <strong>Bar</strong> History Book<br />

Project<br />

Individual Sponsors<br />

Patron ($2,500 & Up)<br />

Nancy & Peter Covington<br />

Hon. Robert P. Johnston<br />

Benefactor ($1,000-$2,499)<br />

Dianne Chipps Bailey<br />

A. Todd Brown<br />

Mark T. Calloway<br />

T. Hal Clarke Jr.<br />

William K. Diehl Jr.<br />

Robert C. Dortch<br />

Douglas R. Edwards<br />

Ray S. Farris<br />

Peter S. Gilchrist<br />

Gary S. Hemric<br />

Rebecca S. Henderson<br />

Katherine S. Holliday<br />

H. Bryan Ives III<br />

Douglas M. Jarrell<br />

Patrick E. Kelly<br />

Haynes P. Lea<br />

DeWitt F. McCarley<br />

Alice K. Moore<br />

Bradley E. Pearce<br />

Randel E. Phillips<br />

Claire J. Rauscher<br />

Nancy & David Roberson<br />

In Honor of Patrick E. Kelly<br />

Raleigh A. Shoemaker<br />

Robert C. Stephens<br />

John N. Suhr Jr.<br />

Richard M. Thigpen<br />

Christopher M. Vann<br />

David B. Whelpley Jr.<br />

Supporter ($300-$999)<br />

Hon. Paige McThenia & T. Jonathan<br />

Adams<br />

Louise & Mark Bernstein<br />

R. A. Bigger Jr.<br />

In Memory of Maurice A. Weinstein<br />

& In Honor of George J. Miller<br />

Jo Ann Brighton<br />

John H. Cobb<br />

Heather & Chris Culp<br />

George Daly<br />

Tricia M. Derr<br />

Hon. Albert Diaz<br />

Jill Elyse Dinerman<br />

Hon. Karen Eady-Williams<br />

Amy & Joey Foxhall<br />

Camille M. Davidson & Trevor M.<br />

Fuller<br />

Kodwo P. Ghartey-Tagoe<br />

Henry A. Harkey<br />

Jane V. Harper<br />

Robert E. Harrington<br />

Edward T. Hinson Jr.<br />

Robert C. Hord Jr.<br />

Carl Horn III<br />

Michael A. Hudson<br />

Meredith S. Jeffries<br />

Amy K. Johnson<br />

Cyrus M. Johnson<br />

Hannah H. Kim<br />

John W. Lassiter<br />

Hal A. Levinson<br />

Timothy Patrick Logan<br />

Patti and Steve Mayo*<br />

Daniel A. Merlin<br />

Gretchen Nelli<br />

Sally Higgins & Ray Owens<br />

Sean F. Perrin<br />

Charles H. Rabon Jr.<br />

S. Mujeeb Shah-Khan<br />

Claire & Edward Shapack<br />

Nina Shor<br />

Richard E. Thigpen Jr.<br />

John R. Wester<br />

Contributor ( up to $299)<br />

Carla N. Archie<br />

Matthew R. Arnold<br />

E. Osborne Ayscue Jr.<br />

Martha G. <strong>Bar</strong>ber<br />

Samuel E. <strong>Bar</strong>ker<br />

Aretha V. Blake<br />

In Honor of Bob King<br />

W. Leslie Boswell, III<br />

Robert C. Bowers<br />

Herbert H. Browne Jr.<br />

Jonathan E. Buchan Jr.<br />

Christian P. Cherry<br />

Dumont Clarke IV<br />

Marion A. Cowell Jr.<br />

Anne Lafferty Crotty<br />

John R. Cunningham III<br />

William Dannelly<br />

Miriam A. Dixon<br />

Catherine El-Khouri<br />

Nicole A. Epstein<br />

Margaret Errington<br />

Lex M. Erwin<br />

Jami Jackson Farris<br />

Theodore O. Fillette<br />

Hon. Linwood O. Foust<br />

Holly Gambill<br />

Marc S. Gentile<br />

Ronald L. Gibson<br />

Melissa L. Gray<br />

John W. Gresham<br />

Hon. Tyyawdi M. Hands<br />

Joseph B. Henninger<br />

Henderson Hill<br />

Hon. Donnie Hoover<br />

Hon. Robert C. Hunter<br />

Charles E. Johnson<br />

William B. Kirk Jr.<br />

Jonathan C. Krisko<br />

Bradley R. Kutrow<br />

Howard Labiner<br />

S. Luke Largess<br />

John S. Leary Association of Black<br />

Attorneys<br />

Louis L. Lesesne Jr.<br />

Rebecca & Erik Lindahl<br />

Maria G. B. Long<br />

A. Ward McKeithen<br />

<strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong><br />

In Memory of Joseph J. Estwanik IV,<br />

Hon. William T. Grist, David H.<br />

Henderson, Hon. Clifton E. Johnson,<br />

Edgar Love III, Leon Olive, & Robert<br />

G. Sanders<br />

Hon. Regan A. Miller<br />

Maria Blue Minsker<br />

Eric A. Montgomery<br />

Deborah A. Nance<br />

John C. Nipp<br />

Matthew J. Osman<br />

H. William Palmer Jr.<br />

John J. Parker III<br />

Hon. Sarah E. Parker<br />

Sue Paty<br />

Kathy L. Pilkington<br />

C. Richard Rayburn Jr.<br />

Allen K. Robertson<br />

David S. Rudolf<br />

Chase B. Saunders<br />

Kenneth L. Schorr<br />

Robert C. Sink<br />

Russell F. Sizemore<br />

Jackson N. Steele<br />

Geraldine Sumter<br />

Jacob Sussman<br />

Andrew D. Taylor Jr.<br />

Anne M. Tompkins<br />

Sally & William Van Allen<br />

Lauren M. Vaughn<br />

Andrew M. Walsh<br />

Martin L. White<br />

Melanie J. Wright<br />

* Thank you to our Donors who utilize<br />

their Matching Organizations<br />

Bank of America<br />

www.meckbar.org <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> 3


Volunteer Lawyer Program SPOTLIGHT<br />

Fred B. Monroe<br />

Fred B. Monroe has been involved with pro<br />

bono estate needs throughout the community.<br />

On one particular case, he represented the<br />

granddaughter of decedent who was the<br />

beneficiary of the grandfather’s devise of the<br />

family home. Some of the children of the<br />

decedent sought to enforce a purported will<br />

that disinherited the granddaughter. Ultimately,<br />

the court ruled that the will submitted to<br />

probate by the children was invalid; therefore,<br />

the granddaughter inherited the family home.<br />

MCB VLP: Current Employer / number of<br />

years with current employer?<br />

FM: Partner; James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A.; 13<br />

years<br />

MCB VLP: Area of Practice / Expertise?<br />

FM: Complex Business Litigation<br />

MCB VLP: Law School / Law School<br />

Graduation Year?<br />

FM: Mercer University; 1996<br />

MCB VLP: How did you discover this pro<br />

bono case?<br />

FM: My law partner, Pender McElroy<br />

MCB VLP: What is a typical case / issue like?<br />

FM: There is no typical case. A significant<br />

portion of my practice concerns disputes<br />

among owners of closely held businesses,<br />

employment and broker/customer disputes<br />

filed with the Financial Industry Regulatory<br />

Authority (FINRA), and general civil<br />

litigation. Over the years, I have been involved<br />

in several complex estate<br />

disputes. While there has<br />

been a common thread<br />

among the securities cases<br />

with FINRA and the closely<br />

held business break up cases,<br />

each one of them has been<br />

fairly unique in some way.<br />

Their challenge, and<br />

Fred B. Monroe<br />

correspondingly, my interest,<br />

lies in piecing together a solution.<br />

MCB VLP: How many pro bono cases do you<br />

typically handle at one time?<br />

FM: One or two.<br />

MCB VLP: Did you participate in any<br />

particular training so that you could handle<br />

pro bono estate cases?<br />

FM: The JMD school of hard knocks.<br />

MCB VLP: What is your hope for the future<br />

with regarding these type of pro bono cases?<br />

FM: To have an occasional pro bono case that<br />

is of merit.<br />

MCB VLP: How can the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong><br />

legal community help with similar cases?<br />

FM: The first step is to be willing to devote<br />

part of your time to the community.<br />

MCB VLP: What is the best advice you’ve<br />

received during your legal career?<br />

FM: There are many mentors I have had.<br />

Those within my firm are Ed Hinson, Gary<br />

Hemric, Mickey Aberman,<br />

Rich Fennell, and of course,<br />

Bill Diehl, and outside my<br />

firm, my brother John<br />

Monroe, of Atlanta, Georgia<br />

who is with Ford & Harrison,<br />

LLP. As trial lawyers, they<br />

each, by example have<br />

demonstrated that you must<br />

tirelessly advocate for your<br />

clients in a way that fits your style and that<br />

will get the best results for your client.<br />

MCB VLP: What advice would you give others?<br />

FM: I would suggest that we, as lawyers,<br />

shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously.<br />

MCB VLP: What is the most challenging part<br />

of your career?<br />

FM: Managing a growing practice and<br />

consistently having to become acquainted<br />

with new areas of the law as applied to my<br />

client’s particular circumstances.<br />

MCB VLP: What is your favorite part of your<br />

current job?<br />

FM: Arguing before a judge or taking a case to<br />

trial while accomplishing the goals of my<br />

clients.<br />

MCB VLP: Any other pertinent things you<br />

would like to share with the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

<strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> and legal community?<br />

FM: Have fun with what you do!<br />

President’s Letter<br />

continued from cover<br />

am thankful to each of you who selflessly<br />

gives of your time and talent to educate<br />

and train our lawyers, to ensure<br />

professional and ethical behavior of our<br />

members, to improve the administration<br />

of, and access to, justice and, in the end, to<br />

ensure that the rule of law, and the ability<br />

of all to pursue life, liberty and happiness,<br />

is protected. And I am in awe of how many<br />

do so much without fanfare or the need for<br />

recognition.<br />

Our <strong>Bar</strong> has accomplished much this year,<br />

but our work is never done. We are fortunate<br />

to have an outstanding Executive Director in<br />

Nancy Roberson. She works tirelessly to<br />

ensure that MCB, and each of us as members,<br />

fulfills our collective duty to the profession<br />

and to the community. To her credit, Nancy<br />

has assembled a highly competent, hard<br />

working and dedicated staff, without whom<br />

none of us would look good. I urge your<br />

continued support of Nancy and her staff,<br />

of our Board, of our new officers, our<br />

Executive Committee, and our Committee,<br />

Section and Division Chairs. If you haven’t<br />

yet fully connected with our <strong>Bar</strong>, consider<br />

getting more involved. You might be<br />

surprised at all our <strong>Bar</strong> does for you, the<br />

profession and our community. Just do it.<br />

Do it for love.<br />

4 <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> www.meckbar.org


2009-10 VLP Pro Bono Awards &<br />

NC State <strong>Bar</strong> Service Award<br />

Outstanding Individual Attorney<br />

Robert W. Simmons<br />

Bob Simmons of McGuire Woods has been<br />

serving children and the community for more<br />

than 20 years through pro bono work. As cofounder<br />

and volunteer general counsel for the<br />

Children and Family Service Center, Mr.<br />

Simmons’ personal mission - to ensure<br />

opportunities for under-served children - is the<br />

focus of his volunteer work. According to the Center’s Executive<br />

Director, “When there is an opportunity to help a child, Bob<br />

makes that his top priority.”<br />

Legal Aid of North Carolina’s Pro Bono Attorney of the Year<br />

Mark A. Nebrig<br />

Mark Nebrig of Moore & Van Allen has<br />

volunteered 104 pro bono hours in 2009 to the<br />

development of a successful pro bono landlordtenant<br />

assistance program at Legal Aid of North<br />

Carolina. Mr. Nebrig was instrumental in<br />

organizing a team of partners and associates at<br />

his firm to help tenants avoid homelessness and<br />

secure safe and habitable dwellings.<br />

Legal Services of Southern Piedmont’s<br />

Pro Bono Attorney of the Year<br />

Francisco J. Linares<br />

Francisco Linares of Cadwalader, Wickersham &<br />

Taft settled a complex case with the IRS,<br />

allowing a deserving client to reach an Offer-In-<br />

Compromise on longstanding IRS tax liabilities.<br />

His work saved the family of five nearly $24,000.<br />

The family credits Mr. Linares with, “helping us<br />

get our lives back. He made a major difference.”<br />

Council for Children’s Rights’ Pro Bono Attorney of the Year<br />

David L. Levy<br />

David Levy of Hedrick, Gardner Kincheloe &<br />

Garofalo provided great service to six children<br />

ensnared in five custody cases. His careful<br />

recommendations were adopted by the Family<br />

Court Judge presiding in each case. His earnest,<br />

caring, skillful and professional devotion to the<br />

best interest of his clients is evident through his<br />

reliable and continual dealings with Council for Children’s<br />

Rights, the parents, the children and the court.<br />

Outstanding Large Firm<br />

Bank of America Legal Department<br />

Year after year, Bank of America attorneys and staff volunteer with the<br />

Wills on Wheels Clinic to help deserving families maintain control over<br />

important end-of-life decisions - a vital service that many low-income<br />

clients cannot begin to afford without the Clinic. In 2009, Bank of<br />

America attorneys volunteered more than 350 pro bono hours that<br />

provided 28 low-income elderly clients with simple wills, powers of<br />

attorney and health care documents.<br />

Outstanding Small Firm<br />

The Law Office of Michael W. Long<br />

Mike Long, a solo-practitioner who has been providing pro bono<br />

service for many years, represented 10 pro bono clients in 2009.<br />

All of Mr. Long’s clients were victims of domestic violence who<br />

benefited from his excellent representation at trial and detailed<br />

follow-up that ensured his client obtained the necessary relief<br />

needed to make a secure and safe life<br />

26th Judicial District SelfServe Center’s<br />

The Honorable Jane V. Harper Pro Bono Award<br />

Julie H. Seidenstein<br />

Julie Seidenstein of Nelson Mullins Riley &<br />

Scarborough is a dedicated volunteer to the 26th<br />

Judicial District’s SelfServe Center. Ms.<br />

Seidenstein selflessly volunteered her time and<br />

expertise to the Attorney for the Day Program<br />

and Supervising Custody / Divorce Clinics. All<br />

of her evaluations from the Attorney for the Day<br />

Program had an excellent rating and expressed how helpful she<br />

was during the consultation.<br />

North Carolina State <strong>Bar</strong> Distinguished Service Award<br />

S. Luke Largess<br />

The North Carolina State <strong>Bar</strong> Distinguished Service Award program<br />

honors current and retired members of the North Carolina State <strong>Bar</strong><br />

throughout the state who have demonstrated exemplary service to<br />

the legal profession.<br />

Luke Largess of Tin, Fulton, Walker, & Owen has<br />

spent nearly 20 years providing leadership and<br />

volunteer service to the North Carolina Legal<br />

Education Assistance Foundation (NC LEAF) -<br />

the nation’s first state-wide loan forgiveness<br />

program to assist public service lawyers with<br />

student loan debt. Since helping to found NC<br />

LEAF while in law school at UNC Chapel Hill, Mr. Largess has<br />

continued to lead the organization, volunteering countless hours<br />

as the president of the NC LEAF Board.<br />

www.meckbar.org <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> 5


2009-10 Summary<br />

<strong>Bar</strong> History<br />

Committee<br />

By Mark R. Bernstein & Ray S. Farris, Co-Chairs<br />

The <strong>Bar</strong> History Committee was formed to preserve the history of<br />

lawyers in the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> region and to recognize the important role<br />

that they have played in this community. To that end, co-authors<br />

Howard Covington and Marion Ellis were commissioned to write the<br />

history of the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> and its predecessor lawyers in<br />

celebration of the <strong>Bar</strong>’s Centennial in 2012. Messrs. Covington and Ellis<br />

have been researching and writing this history, incorporating the<br />

significant periods of history for our region and the country, and the<br />

contribution or in some instances the shortcomings of members of the<br />

<strong>Bar</strong>. Beginning in 1767, the history will cover some of our “characters”<br />

and the flavor of the practice of law long ago and more recently. The<br />

book will include reference to documents, photos and books solicited<br />

from our <strong>Bar</strong> membership, as well as extensive research by the authors.<br />

The Committee has focused much of their efforts in 2009-10 to<br />

raising sufficient funds for the writing and publishing of the <strong>Bar</strong>’s<br />

history. It has successfully called on many <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> law<br />

firms and individuals to sponsor the book. Individual attorneys and<br />

firms not yet reached will soon be contacted about contribution<br />

opportunities before concluding the fundraising campaign before the<br />

fall of <strong>2010</strong>. If you are interested in learning more about opportunities<br />

to contribute to the <strong>Bar</strong> history book, please contact Leah Reed at<br />

704/375-8624 or Co-Chair Mark R. Bernstein at 704/335-9005 or Co-<br />

Chair Ray S. Farris at 704/998-2223.<br />

The Committee is also evaluating how best to ensure that <strong>Bar</strong><br />

photographs, books, papers and other documents are archived in a<br />

manner that will preserve this part of the <strong>Bar</strong>’s history while maximizing<br />

accessibility. If you have any of these documents of historical<br />

importance to the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong>, the Committee would be<br />

pleased to receive and safeguard those items in an archive it intends to<br />

maintain and share for generations to come.<br />

Editorial Policy<br />

The <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> News accepts editorial and advertising material of general legal<br />

interest to the practicing <strong>Bar</strong> of the 26th Judicial District. The implicit purposes of the<br />

newsletter, website, and related methods of communication are to educate members<br />

of the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> and to create and maintain shared communication<br />

with its members. The Communications Committee reserves the right to accept,<br />

reject, or edit all material.<br />

DISCLAIMER Efforts will be made to provide information of interest that is timely,<br />

accurate, and relevant to the legal community. The <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> is not<br />

responsible for misprints, typographical errors, or misinformation in The <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

<strong>Bar</strong> News. The views and opinions are not necessarily those of the 26th Judicial<br />

District <strong>Bar</strong>.<br />

Communications Committee: Tricia Derr, Chair, Justin Carpenter, J.P. Davis, Alan<br />

Edmonds, Bob Johnston, Charles Keller, Rhea Kelley, John Lassiter, Carrie<br />

Mansfield, Chara Moore, Phillip Lewis, Nancy Roberson, Michael Shor, Rob Wick<br />

2009-10 Summary<br />

Continuing<br />

Legal Education<br />

Committee<br />

By Heather W. Culp & John W. Reis, Co-Chairs<br />

The Continuing Legal Education Committee is on track to meet –<br />

and in all likelihood exceed – its challenge to generate a record<br />

$500,000 gross/$325,000 net revenue for fiscal year 2009–10. As of<br />

late April <strong>2010</strong>, CLE gross revenue was $476,070 / net revenue was<br />

$334,561. More than two months of CLE programming remain for<br />

this fiscal year.<br />

The 2009-10 year has been one of our busiest years!<br />

• Increase in programming: We offered 96 live programs and 79 video<br />

replays - compared to 71 live programs and 77 replays in 2008-<br />

09.<br />

• Increase in online programming: From July 2009 through April<br />

<strong>2010</strong>, 633 hours were viewed online, a dramatic increase from 542<br />

hours during the same time period last fiscal year.<br />

• Increase in attendees: As of April 27, <strong>2010</strong>, we had 4,233 attendees<br />

at MCB CLEs – including live, video replays, and online courses,<br />

compared to 3,474 attendees at the same point last year.<br />

• Increase in CLE options: We expanded our online CLE options to<br />

include live webcasts. Note that of the 12 hours of annual CLE<br />

required in North Carolina, 4 may be taken online and the other 8<br />

must be "live.” Webcasts fulfill the "live" CLE requirement.<br />

Expect to see more webcasting options in the coming months.<br />

Second only to mandatory bar dues, MCB CLE programs are the <strong>Bar</strong>’s<br />

largest funding resource. Equally important, MCB CLEs promote<br />

professionalism and collegiality among its members. We thank the<br />

many attorneys in our <strong>Bar</strong> who suggested, planned, spoke at and<br />

attended a variety of new and timely programs.<br />

The success and expansion of the CLE market is a direct result of<br />

the talents of Director of Continuing Legal Education Lisa Armanini,<br />

with the invaluable assistance of Sally Kenney and newcomer Sara<br />

Poplin. Thank you, Lisa, Sally and Sara for your hard work and<br />

dedication.<br />

Getting involved in the CLE Committee is a great way to meet<br />

fellow lawyers across practice areas. Serving as a program planner or<br />

speaker entitles you to free CLE credit. If you have ideas for new<br />

programs, would like to join the CLE committee or wish to present<br />

and/or plan programs yourself, please contact John Reis at 704/376-<br />

3400 or jreis@cozen.com; Heather Culp at 704/333-0630 or<br />

hculp@mitchellculp.com; or Lisa Armanini at 704/375-8624 or<br />

larmanini@meckbar.org.<br />

6 <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> www.meckbar.org


2009-10 Summary<br />

Communications<br />

Committee<br />

By Tricia Morvan Derr, Chair<br />

In 2009-10, the Communications Committee focused their efforts<br />

on ensuring that all MCB print and electronic communication pieces<br />

are relevant, timely and user-friendly. This was an ambitious<br />

undertaking that entailed the re-design of the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> News,<br />

<strong>Bar</strong> Blasts and Meck<strong>Bar</strong>.org. Rhea Kelley, Director of Communications<br />

(and a relatively new addition to the MCB staff), has been the driving<br />

force in leading the Committee to a productive and successful year.<br />

With Ms. Kelley’s skill, tenacity and positive attitude, the Committee<br />

has achieved all of its goals this year.<br />

The <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> News, the signature publication of our <strong>Bar</strong>,<br />

was converted to a “booklet” format with glossy paper. This was an<br />

important step in making the newsletter more cost-effective,<br />

environmentally conscious and convenient for the reader. The booklet<br />

format also provides a more flexible platform for the varying amount<br />

of content published each month. Despite the significant and more<br />

attractive change, no additional expenses were added as a result of the<br />

new design and printing.<br />

The Committee implemented a new e-mail distribution program<br />

that allows us to monitor what percentage of recipients open the <strong>Bar</strong><br />

Blasts and what links recipients most often click on to read more<br />

information. These statistics enable the Committee to determine what<br />

information is most relevant to our membership and to respond by<br />

ensuring that the information distributed to the membership is based<br />

on interest. Moving forward, these statistics will provide an important<br />

baseline for membership trends in receiving and utilizing electronic<br />

information.<br />

The MCB Web site, Meck<strong>Bar</strong>.org, underwent a thorough reorganization<br />

and re-design. The Committee aimed to make the<br />

upgraded site an important resource for MCB members that is<br />

intuitive to navigate and that features more photos and profiles of<br />

MCB members. The management of Meck<strong>Bar</strong>.org was brought inhouse<br />

to allow MCB staff to easily and frequently update and post new<br />

content, providing the most up-to-date information available to MCB<br />

members and the public.<br />

Special thanks to the Communications Committee members who<br />

continue to research and write meaningful articles for the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

<strong>Bar</strong> News and provide insightful direction to the <strong>Bar</strong>’s communication<br />

efforts as a whole. The Committee is always looking for MCB<br />

members interested in participating on this committee. Please contact<br />

Director of Communications Rhea Kelley at rkelley@meckbar.org if<br />

you would like to learn more.<br />

2009-10 Summary<br />

Corporate Counsel<br />

Section<br />

By Miranda Zolot, Co-Chair<br />

The Corporate Counsel Section provided notable CLE programs focused<br />

on bridging the gaps between inside and outside counsel in 2009-10.<br />

In December 2009, the Section hosted a panel presentation,<br />

“Enhancing the Relationship Between In-House and Outside Counsel<br />

(or Everything You’ve Always Wanted to Know About In-House<br />

Counsel but Were Afraid to Ask).” This panel was an opportunity for<br />

attendees to peek behind the in-house curtain and find out what<br />

corporate clients are expecting from their outside counsel. The<br />

participants discussed effective communication, alternative billing, how<br />

to provide value and potential conflicts of interest. Thank you to our<br />

panelists: Carranza Pryor, TIAA CREF; Catherine Stempien, Duke<br />

Energy; Jake Modla, Family Dollar; Fred Hartman, Goodrich<br />

Corporation; and Jan Aniel, formerly with Bank of America.<br />

In February, the Section participated in the <strong>2010</strong> MCB Annual<br />

Review CLE. On behalf of the Section, Peter Buck, Partner, Robinson,<br />

Bradshaw & Hinson P.A., provided a well-received corporate law update<br />

titled “Back to Some ‘New Basics.’”<br />

In March <strong>2010</strong>, the Section hosted “Job Envy: Representing a Sports<br />

Franchise or NASCAR Driver,” featuring a question-and-answer session<br />

with Andre Walters, Senior Director, Legal Affairs, Bobcats Sports &<br />

Entertainment; Fred Whitfield, President and CEO, Bobcats Sports &<br />

Entertainment; Richard Thigpen, General Counsel, Carolina Panthers;<br />

and Stoke Caldwell, Partner, Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson P.A.,<br />

Counsel to several NASCAR teams. Topics ranged from contract<br />

negotiations with players and NASCAR drivers, labor, and workers<br />

compensation issues to litigation. The program was held on the Bobcats’<br />

practice court at the Time Warner Cable Arena and Section members<br />

were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the arena and attendance at<br />

a Bobcats game in one of the Arena’s private suites. The event attracted a<br />

large number of Section members and law students from around the<br />

region. Not only was it a fun way to bring the Section together, it was a<br />

great way for students to network with local attorneys who had jobs the<br />

students envied. This event was co-sponsored by Winston & Strawn,<br />

LLP and Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson P.A.<br />

We thank all our 2009-10 sponsors and presenters for their support<br />

of the Section. In the coming year, we will continue to bring in-house<br />

lawyers together for relevant CLE, bench-marking and networking<br />

opportunities. We also continue to look for ways to strengthen the ties<br />

between local corporations and local attorneys. If you are interested in<br />

learning more about these Section opportunities or becoming a more<br />

active participant in the Section, please email Miranda Zolot at<br />

mzolot@familydollar or MCB Section liaison Mary Jordan Mullinax at<br />

mjmullinax@meckbar.org.<br />

www.meckbar.org <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> 7


2009-10 Summary<br />

Estate Planning and Probate Section<br />

By Melissa L. Gray & Bradley T. Van Hoy, Co-Chairs<br />

For the fourth year, the Estate<br />

Planning and Probate Section organized and<br />

sponsored a breakfast series of Continuing<br />

Legal Education programs. The 2009-10<br />

breakfast series, held on Monday mornings<br />

in January and February, were well attended.<br />

The Section would like to acknowledge the<br />

following presenters for their outstanding<br />

presentations:<br />

• R. Michael Allen, Esq., Cranford,<br />

Schultze, Tomchin and Allen, PA and<br />

Public Administrator for <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

<strong>County</strong> who spoke on Estate<br />

Administration Issues for Insolvent<br />

Estates;<br />

• William R. Culp, Jr., Esq., Culp Elliott &<br />

Carpenter, PLLC who spoke on North<br />

Carolina’s Trust Decanting Statute: An<br />

Overview and Introduction to Creative<br />

Planning Opportunities;<br />

• Justin S. Steinschriber, Esq., Moore &<br />

Van Allen PLLC and Jessica M. Hardin,<br />

Esq., Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.<br />

who spoke on Current Issues Regarding<br />

Retirement Benefits; and<br />

• Andrew L. Nesbitt, Esq., Moore & Van<br />

Allen PLLC who spoke on Ethical Issues<br />

that Commonly Arise in Estate Planning<br />

Situations.<br />

Members of the Estate Planning and<br />

Probate Section were very active in several<br />

local programs:<br />

• The Wills for Heroes program, sponsored<br />

by the Young Lawyers Division of the<br />

North Carolina <strong>Bar</strong> Association, provided<br />

free essential estate planning documents<br />

to first responders including policemen,<br />

firefighters, and emergency medical<br />

technicians.<br />

• The Wills on Wheels program, through<br />

Legal Services of Southern Piedmont,<br />

provided wills, powers of attorney, health<br />

care powers of attorney and living wills<br />

to elderly residents of <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

<strong>County</strong>. The documents were prepared by<br />

volunteers from Bank of America and<br />

reviewed by Section members.<br />

• The MCB Volunteer Lawyer Program<br />

worked with Habitat for Humanity to<br />

provide estate planning documents for<br />

new Habitat for Humanity<br />

homeowners.<br />

8 <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> www.meckbar.org


2009-10 Summary<br />

Fee Dispute<br />

Resolution<br />

Committee<br />

By Edward S. Shapack &<br />

Richard S. Wright, Co-Chairs<br />

The Fee Dispute Resolution Committee<br />

mediates (and in some cases arbitrates) fee<br />

disputes between lawyers who are members<br />

of the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> and their<br />

clients. Under the North Carolina Rules of<br />

Professional Conduct Rule 1.5(f), North<br />

Carolina licensed attorneys must participate<br />

in good faith in the Fee Dispute Resolution<br />

process if a client has made a timely and<br />

proper claim.<br />

A Committee member determines<br />

whether this Committee has jurisdiction for<br />

Fee Dispute Resolution, then mediates the<br />

dispute if it is. Cases that resolve in<br />

mediation are closed with a written<br />

memorandum. Cases that reach an impasse<br />

may (with mutual consent) be referred to a<br />

3-person arbitration panel consisting of two<br />

lawyers and one lay person, none of whom<br />

was the mediator. Without such mutual<br />

consent, cases that reach an impasse are<br />

closed to allow the parties to pursue other<br />

remedies.<br />

Fee Disputes may be filed locally or with<br />

the North Carolina State <strong>Bar</strong>, but most are<br />

handled locally. Lawyer members of the<br />

Committee are trained and certified<br />

mediators or have extensive mediation<br />

experience. All proceedings are confidential.<br />

From July 1, 2009, through April 15,<br />

<strong>2010</strong>, approximately 60 new files were<br />

opened and 60 were closed. Of these closed<br />

files, more than 50% were settled. This past<br />

year, the Committee saw an increase in<br />

filings by clients, as well as more <strong>Bar</strong><br />

members seeking to collect on past due<br />

accounts and notifying clients of the Fee<br />

Dispute Resolution process.<br />

2009-10 Summary<br />

Finance and<br />

Operations<br />

Committee<br />

As this fiscal year comes to a close, the<br />

MCB Finance and Operations Committee<br />

continues to closely monitor the <strong>Bar</strong>’s income<br />

and expenses. We expect the budgeted<br />

income goal for <strong>2010</strong> to be met, and expenses<br />

have been held to a minimum in response to<br />

the economy. Pursuant to the procedure<br />

established in the Finance and Operations<br />

policy, a 2011 budget has been recommended<br />

for approval by the Board. Public input was<br />

scheduled for <strong>Jun</strong>e 2, <strong>2010</strong> at the <strong>Bar</strong> Center.<br />

The 2011 approved budget and <strong>2010</strong> yearend<br />

financial reports will be posted on<br />

Meck<strong>Bar</strong>.org in August.<br />

2009-10 Summary<br />

Future <strong>Bar</strong>/<br />

Foundation<br />

Center<br />

Committee<br />

By Pender R. McElroy &<br />

William H. McMullen Jr., Co-Chairs<br />

The Future MCB/MBF Center co-chairs and<br />

committee members have evaluated multiple<br />

potential sites for the <strong>Bar</strong> Center over the last<br />

year. Currently, the <strong>Bar</strong> is housed in less than<br />

6,000 square feet. According to a space needs<br />

analysis performed approximately 2 years ago,<br />

more than twice that space is needed for <strong>Bar</strong><br />

programs, networking opportunities and staff.<br />

The current <strong>Bar</strong> Center is for sale or exchange.<br />

Although the future location of the<br />

<strong>Bar</strong>/Foundation Center is unknown at this<br />

point, several possible sites are under review.<br />

The timing of the move and whether the <strong>Bar</strong><br />

Center is relocated depends in great part as to<br />

whether the proposed dues increase passes at<br />

the Annual Meeting May 20, <strong>2010</strong>.<br />

2009-10 Summary<br />

Grievance<br />

Committee<br />

By Marc S. Gentile, Chair<br />

The Grievance Committee investigates<br />

complaints against <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong><br />

members and reports its findings and<br />

recommendations to the North Carolina State<br />

<strong>Bar</strong> (NCSB). The Committee’s<br />

recommendations are nonbinding, and the<br />

Committee has no role in any discipline that<br />

might be imposed. Grievances may be filed<br />

locally or with the NCSB, but all grievances<br />

other than those alleging criminal conduct or<br />

trust account violations are investigated<br />

locally. The Committee is comprised of 13<br />

lawyers and three non-lawyers. Investigations<br />

are assigned to lawyer members, and all<br />

reports are considered by the Committee as a<br />

whole. All proceedings are confidential.<br />

For the period from July 1, 2009, through<br />

April 15, <strong>2010</strong>, 30 new files were opened and<br />

23 were closed. The Committee recommended<br />

a finding of probable cause as to a violation of<br />

one or more of the Rules of Professional<br />

Conduct in 2 of the closed files. Criminal and<br />

domestic law consistently generate the most<br />

complaints. Regardless of the type of law involved,<br />

most complaints allege violations of Rule<br />

1.4, Communications, and Rule 1.3, Diligence.<br />

The Committee works closely with the Fee<br />

Dispute Resolution Committee and the<br />

Professionalism, Lawyer Life and Culture<br />

Committee, and referrals are made as<br />

appropriate. Any lawyer with a question about<br />

the process or a particular issue should feel<br />

free to contact the Chair or any member of the<br />

Committee.<br />

Did you know...<br />

the MCB Volunteer Lawyer<br />

Program provides<br />

members meaningful<br />

pro bono opportunities<br />

in the community?<br />

www.meckbar.org <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> 9


2009-10 Summary<br />

Immigration & Nationality Section<br />

By Anne L. Crotty & Elizabeth R. Edwards, Co-Chairs<br />

With the burgeoning immigrant population<br />

and the arrival of the Immigration Court, the<br />

Immigration & Nationality Section of the<br />

<strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> has responded to<br />

increased numbers of immigration attorneys<br />

practicing in our region. The Section hosted a<br />

six-week series of breakfast CLE events at the<br />

<strong>Bar</strong> Center on Immigration Court practice<br />

from January 27th through early March. Topics<br />

included Overview of Court Procedure, Bond<br />

and Master Calendar Hearings, Cancellation of<br />

Removal and Other Relief from Removal,<br />

Political Asylum and VAWA Cancellation,<br />

Adjustment of Status and Criminal Grounds of<br />

Removability, Voluntary Departure and<br />

Appeals of the Bureau of Immigration Appeals.<br />

Following the series, a mock trial was held at<br />

the Immigration Court, with Immigration<br />

Judge <strong>Bar</strong>ry Pettinato presiding and<br />

immigration attorneys, paralegals, and a local<br />

physician serving as attorneys, the respondent,<br />

and witnesses.<br />

To foster collegiality, the Section met for an<br />

informal lunch on the 3rd Thursday of each<br />

month at Lebowski’s on East Blvd.<br />

Because immigration law is federal practice,<br />

several local practitioners are licensed in other<br />

states, rather than North Carolina, but any<br />

licensed attorney may join the Immigration<br />

Section and participate in all Section activities.<br />

All attorneys with an interest in immigration<br />

law are welcome to join the Section.<br />

2009-10 Summary<br />

Lawyer Referral Service Committee<br />

By David H. Strickland & Lauren M. Vaughn, Co-Chairs<br />

The <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Lawyer<br />

Referral Service (MCB LRS) successfully<br />

focused its 2009-10 efforts on the selfsustainability<br />

of the Service through new<br />

marketing and reporting initiatives.<br />

The MCB LRS began its year with a new<br />

publicity flyer detailing the Service and<br />

addressing common questions clients may<br />

have prior to calling. Flyers were distributed<br />

to local businesses, the courthouse,<br />

government agencies, community centers and<br />

other local legal organizations for circulation<br />

to their clients. This marketing tool helped<br />

maintain steady incoming calls as we entered<br />

the holiday season and into the typically<br />

quieter months of January and February.<br />

The MCB LRS Committee and staff made a<br />

concerted effort to send quarterly reports to<br />

the LRS Panel members with clearer<br />

instructions on the expectations of these<br />

reports. As a result, the MCB LRS has been<br />

able to better maintain an accurate database<br />

system within the Service and communication<br />

between LRS staff and Panel members.<br />

Family law, bankruptcy and personal<br />

injury cases continued to be the most<br />

prominent types of cases referred this year.<br />

There was also a sharp increase in the number<br />

of referrals for landlord/tenant, employment,<br />

and consumer issues cases. As a result, the<br />

MCB LRS still needs more attorneys on the<br />

panel who practice in these areas – if you are<br />

interested in joining the Lawyer Referral<br />

Service Panel, now is a great time!<br />

As we are in the midst of the fourth quarter<br />

of the fiscal year, MCB LRS offers a discount<br />

to attorneys who would like to join now but<br />

would face renewal in only a few months as<br />

the new fiscal year begins. Attorneys have the<br />

option of paying $200 to become active on<br />

referral rotation immediately with<br />

membership lasting through <strong>Jun</strong>e 30, 2011.<br />

2009-10 MCB Membership<br />

Directories Are Available<br />

There are still copies of the MCB Membership Directory available<br />

for purchase. Order extra copies of this critical resource for your staff.<br />

You will find important contact information on the courts, judges<br />

and community agencies, as well as all MCB members listed<br />

individually and by firm.<br />

Stop by the <strong>Bar</strong> Center or call 704/375-8624 to purchase<br />

your extra copies.<br />

Any attorneys interested in leadership<br />

within the MCB LRS are encouraged to<br />

consider joining the MCB Lawyer Referral<br />

Service Committee. The Committee consists<br />

of 12 members - each serving three-year<br />

terms. The Committee handles a variety of<br />

issues including marketing strategies,<br />

guideline review, ethics questions and<br />

sponsorship solicitation for the Annual MCB<br />

LRS Reception held each <strong>Jun</strong>e. If you are<br />

interested in joining, contact Co-chairs Lauren<br />

Vaughn or David Strickland or MCB LRS staff<br />

liaison Mary Jordan Mullinax at<br />

mjmullinax@meckbar.org.<br />

10 <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> www.meckbar.org


2009-10 Summary<br />

McMillan Fund Committee<br />

By Randel E. Phillips, Chair<br />

The <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Foundation’s<br />

McMillan Fund Committee administers and<br />

raises money for the McMillan Fellowships.<br />

The Fellowships are awarded each year to<br />

promising law school students to do public<br />

service work in not-for-profit and government<br />

agencies in <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong>.<br />

Established in 1995 as a separate fund of<br />

the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Foundation, the McMillan<br />

Fund seeks to support justice and innovation<br />

within our local legal system and to encourage<br />

law students who might be interested in a career<br />

in public interest law in <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong>.<br />

To date, 44 Fellows have worked at such<br />

agencies as Legal Services of Southern<br />

Piedmont, the U.S. Equal Employment<br />

Opportunity Commission, the U.S. District<br />

Court, International House, Office of the<br />

Public Defender, Council for Children’s<br />

Rights, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the District<br />

Attorney’s Office, and the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> Trial<br />

Court Administrator’s Office.<br />

The Fellowships are primarily funded<br />

through the annual McMillan Fund Dinner,<br />

held on April 22, <strong>2010</strong>, at Byron’s South End.<br />

This Dinner marked the third year of our<br />

Committee’s fruitful collaboration with the<br />

<strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong>’s Special Committee<br />

on Diversity. The combined efforts of the two<br />

Committees helped make this year’s Dinner one<br />

of the most successful in its 13-year history.<br />

The event raised approximately $14,000, after<br />

expenses, for summer Fellowships. There<br />

were 148 registrants for the event, including<br />

26 Individual Sponsorships ($300). There<br />

were nine Corporate/Firm Sponsors who<br />

supported the Dinner and our Fellows through<br />

$1,200 table sponsorships (an increase from<br />

five corporate sponsors the previous year). The<br />

McMillan Fund Committee and the Special<br />

Committee on Diversity would like to thank<br />

Bank of America Legal Department; Charlotte<br />

School of Law; Duke Energy Legal Department;<br />

Hunton & Williams; McGuireWoods; Moore<br />

& Van Allen; Nelson, Mullins, Riley &<br />

Scarborough; Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson;<br />

and Wells Fargo Legal Department for their<br />

generous support of the <strong>2010</strong> McMillan Dinner.<br />

The Dinner was the setting for the third<br />

annual presentation of the Special Committee<br />

on Diversity’s Julius L. Chambers Diversity<br />

Champion Award. The Award was presented<br />

posthumously to Judge Clifton E. Johnson for<br />

his years of selfless service to the State and<br />

people of North Carolina, his promotion of<br />

equal opportunity, and his own path-breaking<br />

career (culminating in his service on the<br />

North Carolina Court of Appeals) – as the first<br />

African American assistant state prosecutor<br />

since the 19th Century; his judicial service as<br />

<strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong>’s first African American<br />

District Court Judge; and the first African<br />

American Chief District Judge, Resident<br />

Superior Court Judge, and Chair of the<br />

Judicial Standards Commission.<br />

The after-dinner program was headlined by<br />

Ed Williams, former editorial page editor for<br />

the Charlotte Observer and friend of Judge<br />

McMillan. Mr. Williams offered a moving<br />

multi-media presentation about the life and<br />

times of Judge McMillan and his lasting legacy<br />

to the community. The program continued with<br />

the presentation of the Diversity Champion<br />

Award by Judge Linwood Foust, and concluding<br />

remarks from the family of Judge Johnson,<br />

who accepted the award on his behalf.<br />

Thanks largely to the fundraising dinner and<br />

applications from a number of local agencies,<br />

the McMillan Fund Committee was able to<br />

make four fellowship grants of $3,000 each.<br />

These grants will help support six law students<br />

working at International House, Legal Services<br />

of Southern Piedmont, the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

<strong>County</strong> District Attorney’s Office and Federal<br />

Defenders of Western North Carolina.<br />

McMillan Committee members for 2009–<br />

10 include Ozzie Ayscue, Maria Long, George<br />

Daly, John Gresham, Ray Owens, Marion<br />

Cowell, Katie Holliday, Amy Johnson and<br />

Randy Phillips. The Committee thanks <strong>Bar</strong><br />

staffers Leah Reed and Stephanie Marella for<br />

their able administrative support for the<br />

Dinner and this year’s activities.<br />

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www.meckbar.org <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> 11


2009-10 Summary<br />

Professionalism, Lawyer<br />

Life and Culture Committee<br />

By Selina M. Brooks & W. Lewis Glenn III, Co-Chairs<br />

This marks the first full fiscal year of the<br />

Professionalism, Lawyer Life and Culture<br />

Committee (PLLC). Last fiscal year we<br />

combined The <strong>Bar</strong> <strong>2010</strong>, LawyerLife<br />

Resources and Professionalism Committees.<br />

This year we strengthened the combined<br />

Committee and developed a common<br />

identity. The PLLC has discussed different<br />

ways to address <strong>Bar</strong> members’ needs in the<br />

current economic climate and has begun to<br />

take action directed at those needs.<br />

Much of the year was focused on<br />

launching the successful Coffee Connections<br />

series – informal, free networking events for<br />

<strong>Bar</strong> members. Each event had a theme and<br />

provided information and resources on the<br />

theme, e.g., starting a solo/small law firm.<br />

A subcommittee was created to develop<br />

CLEs directed toward the needs of<br />

experienced attorneys who are faced with<br />

changes in their employment and how they<br />

practice law. More information on this career<br />

transition series will be forthcoming.<br />

The PLLC Committee has also started a<br />

NC Lawyer Assistance Program (NC LAP)<br />

liaison subcommittee. This subcommittee<br />

will work with Don Carroll and the NC LAP<br />

to continue the practical coordination of<br />

efforts to help local lawyers in need of<br />

assistance. This subcommittee will meet<br />

quarterly.<br />

One of the other big projects being<br />

addressed by the PLLC Committee is how to<br />

strengthen attorney mentoring across the<br />

MCB. Currently, the Silent Partners program<br />

is geared toward newly licensed attorneys.<br />

The expanded concept would allow for a<br />

broader program that includes mentoring<br />

many different areas and levels of practice.<br />

The PLLC will continue to work with<br />

other MCB Committees – including the<br />

Continuing Legal Education and<br />

Communications Committees – to ensure<br />

professionalism topics are fully presented to<br />

the <strong>Bar</strong>.<br />

2009-10 Summary<br />

Strategic<br />

Planning<br />

Committee<br />

By Carla N. Archie &<br />

Robert C. Dortch Jr., Co-Chairs<br />

The Strategic Planning Committee<br />

continued its efforts to develop both short<br />

term and long range plans for the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

<strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong>. After meeting with the MCB<br />

Executive Committee, the Strategic Planning<br />

Committee, with the assistance of the MCB<br />

staff, developed the details of the strategic plan.<br />

The Committee and staff used the results of<br />

the MCB membership survey and the results<br />

of the ABA Operational Review from October<br />

2008. These resources provided the Committee<br />

with some insight as to what our <strong>Bar</strong> members<br />

are looking for from the MCB and suggestions<br />

for improvement from an operational<br />

perspective. The draft plan was presented to<br />

the Executive Committee in late April. The<br />

Strategic Planning Committee will continue to<br />

work together with the MCB staff, leadership<br />

and volunteers to ensure completion and<br />

implementation of the strategic plan.<br />

2009-10 Summary<br />

Social Sports Committee<br />

By Matthew R. Arnold & John C. Nipp, Co-Chairs<br />

For the Social/Sports Committee, it’s all<br />

about the fun. With the help of the Committee<br />

members, <strong>Bar</strong> staff and event sponsors, the<br />

Committee once again organized leagues for<br />

softball and basketball. In addition, the<br />

Committee ran a successful golf tournament<br />

at Raintree Country Club. On the social front,<br />

the Committee organized the <strong>Bar</strong> Holiday Party<br />

in December as well as the <strong>Bar</strong>’s 98th Annual<br />

Meeting in May. Though its name may connote<br />

frivolity, the Committee serves an increasingly<br />

important role in providing opportunities for<br />

attorneys to gather informally and develop<br />

friendships, thereby promoting collegiality<br />

and professionalism among our ranks.<br />

Left: MCB members enjoy the annual <strong>Bar</strong> Holiday Party.<br />

Right: The MCB Golf Tournament brings together<br />

attorneys for a fun day of competition.<br />

12 <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> www.meckbar.org


2009-10 Summary<br />

Special Committee on Diversity<br />

By The Honorable Albert Diaz & Valecia M. McDowell, Co-Chairs<br />

The <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> Special<br />

Committee on Diversity had an active and<br />

productive 2009-10 year. Because of the<br />

efforts of our dedicated Committee members,<br />

we continued to sustain our diversity pipeline<br />

and broadened the scope of our efforts.<br />

The Committee’s work is executed through its<br />

four active subcommittees:<br />

Bench, <strong>Bar</strong> and Community<br />

Subcommittee<br />

More than 70 Charlotte-<strong>Mecklenburg</strong> students<br />

participated in the Lunch with a Lawyer<br />

program — a staple program of the Bench, <strong>Bar</strong><br />

and Community Subcommittee. In addition to<br />

monthly one-on-one meetings with attorney<br />

mentors, the students toured the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

<strong>County</strong> Courthouse at the close of the school<br />

year. The Bench and <strong>Bar</strong> Subcommittee also<br />

hosted various networking breakfasts and<br />

Continuing Legal Education programs throughout<br />

the year to better expose minority attorneys<br />

to careers in the judiciary. In April <strong>2010</strong> the<br />

subcommittee presented the <strong>2010</strong> Julius L.<br />

Chambers Diversity Champion Award<br />

posthumously to Judge Clifton E. Johnson.<br />

The Award celebrates the lives of individuals<br />

who have advanced the cause of diversity and<br />

equal opportunity in our community.<br />

Charlotte Legal Diversity<br />

Clerkship Subcommittee<br />

Seven first-year law students joined the ranks of<br />

several Charlotte law firms and legal departments<br />

this summer through the Charlotte<br />

Legal Diversity Clerkship (CLDC). We received<br />

more than 160 applications from 31 law schools<br />

across the country for the highly competitive<br />

positions. During the students’ 12-week stay,<br />

the CLDC clerks will participate in professional<br />

and social activities highlighting the benefits<br />

of working and living in Charlotte. The <strong>2010</strong><br />

CLDC program features events with the MCB<br />

Young Lawyers Division, two judicial<br />

luncheons, a theatrical performance and<br />

breakfast with Mayor Anthony Foxx.<br />

Community Outreach<br />

Subcommittee<br />

In February <strong>2010</strong>, the Community Outreach<br />

Subcommittee hosted its annual Diversity Day<br />

conference at Johnson C. Smith University. The<br />

program provided students from a wide range of<br />

age groups with the opportunity to hear about<br />

roles lawyers play in everyday society. Keynote<br />

speaker Reginald Shuford, then senior staff<br />

attorney for the Racial Justice Program of the<br />

American Civil Liberties Union Foundation,<br />

encouraged attendees to diligently put their<br />

best foot forward no matter what course their<br />

future takes. MCB volunteer attorneys attended<br />

the conference to talk with students during<br />

lunch about their professional experiences.<br />

Law Firm and Legal Department<br />

Subcommittee<br />

The MCB Special Committee on Diversity<br />

recognizes that our legal community has been<br />

deeply affected by challenges of the economic<br />

recession. Despite these difficult times, the<br />

committee has made a conscious effort over<br />

the past year to ensure diversity remains a core<br />

value of our <strong>Bar</strong> and our legal community.<br />

Failure to do so would jeopardize our progress<br />

to date and in the future. Moving forward, the<br />

committee will continue to ensure that the<br />

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The Committee anticipates another<br />

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www.meckbar.org <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> 13


2009-10 Summary<br />

Volunteer Lawyer Program Committee<br />

By Erika A. Olson & Sean F. Perrin, Co-chairs<br />

The MCB Volunteer Lawyer Program<br />

continued its longstanding support of its<br />

community partners: Legal Aid of North<br />

Carolina, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont<br />

(LSSP) and the Council for Children’s Rights.<br />

In 2009-10, the MCB VLP worked closely<br />

with Legal Aid’s Landlord/Tenant Project to<br />

recruit law firms to assist with intake and<br />

representation of new cases. The MCB VLP is<br />

now focused on assisting LSSP with a similar<br />

partnership for employee benefits appeals.<br />

The MCB VLP’s Attorney for the Day<br />

program with the 26th Judicial District<br />

continued to provide consultations for low<br />

income clients who are handling family law<br />

matters pro se. Several firms committed to<br />

regular, monthly schedules at the SelfServe<br />

Center. The remainder of the shifts were<br />

covered by more than 100 trained MCB VLP<br />

volunteers who donated approximately 200<br />

volunteer hours in 2009-10. In January, 40 new<br />

volunteers were trained in the full spectrum of<br />

the SelfServe Center services – many received<br />

the training free of charge in exchange for a 4-<br />

hour volunteer commitment in the Center.<br />

The MCB VLP and the SelfServe Center<br />

collaborated with the Charlotte School of Law<br />

to create a pro bono program for law students.<br />

The students, supervised by MCB VLP<br />

attorneys, teach weekly family law or<br />

landlord/tenant clinics to pro se litigants.<br />

The Wills & Estates program worked closely<br />

with Habitat for Humanity to help fulfill Habitat<br />

for Humanity homeowners’ obligations. More<br />

than 20 wills and health care powers of<br />

attorney have been assigned or completed this<br />

year. The Pro Bono for Nonprofits program<br />

opened 10 cases this fiscal year with several<br />

currently in the review process. MCB VLP<br />

attorneys presented information at the Buddy<br />

Kemp Caring House, participated in the North<br />

Carolina <strong>Bar</strong> Association’s 4-All Program and<br />

volunteered at an NAACP Law Clinic held in<br />

<strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong>.<br />

Several Continuing Legal Education<br />

volunteer trainings were held on domestic<br />

violence, nonprofits, pro se assistance, estate<br />

planning and landlord tenant disputes. The<br />

MCB VLP participated in the October 2009<br />

Access to Justice Commission Pro Bono<br />

Summit. The MCB VLP also presented<br />

information regarding pro bono opportunities<br />

at the Charlotte School of Law Pro Bono Fair<br />

and partnered with the Professionalism,<br />

Lawyer Life and Culture Committee in April<br />

to present a Coffee Connections tailored<br />

specifically to pro bono work.<br />

The MCB VLP conducted an expansive<br />

survey of all MCB members to gauge attorneys’<br />

interest in pro bono work. In addition the<br />

MCB VLP worked with the MCB<br />

Communications Committee to publicize<br />

opportunities for pro bono work and volunteer<br />

recognition through articles in the <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

<strong>Bar</strong> News, <strong>Bar</strong> Blasts and Meck<strong>Bar</strong>.org.<br />

Volunteer opportunities were presented to the<br />

Solo Practitioner/ Small Firm Section in hopes<br />

of building collaboration opportunities with<br />

attorneys in that Section in the near future.<br />

Seven pro bono awards were presented at<br />

the MCB Annual Meeting. The award winners<br />

are featured on page 5.<br />

2009-10 Summary<br />

Memorials Committee<br />

By Jonathan E. Buchan and George V. Hanna III, Co-Chairs<br />

For a number of years, it has been our <strong>Bar</strong>’s<br />

tradition to honor the memory of members of<br />

the <strong>Bar</strong> who have died during the year. When<br />

the family desires, a memorial ceremony is<br />

conducted for a deceased member at a special<br />

session of the Superior Court, presided over<br />

by one of our resident superior court judges<br />

(or occasionally a district court judge), and<br />

attended by the deceased member’s family and<br />

friends, the president of the <strong>Bar</strong>, a co-chair of<br />

the Memorials Committee, and other<br />

members of the <strong>Bar</strong>.<br />

On behalf of the Memorials Committee, a<br />

designated member of the <strong>Bar</strong> prepares and<br />

presents at this memorial ceremony a special<br />

resolution commemorating the life and<br />

services of the deceased member. This<br />

resolution becomes a permanent record in the<br />

minutes of the Court. The Court is<br />

subsequently adjourned in memory of the<br />

deceased member.<br />

The Committee extends special thanks and<br />

appreciation to the judges who presided on<br />

these occasions, to those members of the <strong>Bar</strong><br />

who have prepared and presented the<br />

resolutions, to the <strong>Bar</strong> members and family<br />

and friends who have attended these<br />

memorial proceedings, and to Amy Young and<br />

Linda Brooks who have handled the various<br />

arrangements necessary to the continuing of<br />

this fine tradition of the <strong>Bar</strong>.<br />

During the past year, proceedings have been conducted for the following deceased members of our <strong>Bar</strong>:<br />

Deceased Member Memorial Proceeding Resolution Presenter Presiding Judge<br />

Joseph C. Travis Sr. <strong>Jun</strong>e 18, 2009 Hon. Daphne L. Cantrell Hon. Richard D. Boner<br />

Henry Hall Wilson III July 30, 2009 Gerard A. Bos Hon. J. Gentry Caudill<br />

Joseph Estwanik, IV January 21, <strong>2010</strong> W. James Chandler Hon. Richard D. Boner<br />

David E. Henderson March 25, <strong>2010</strong> Robert Henderson Hon. Richard D. Boner<br />

14 <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> www.meckbar.org


2009-10 Summary<br />

Young Lawyers Division<br />

By Amy B. Foxhall, Chair<br />

The Young Lawyers Division of the<br />

<strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> <strong>Bar</strong> (YLD) had an<br />

exciting 2009-10 year. This year’s YLD Council<br />

(Amy B. Foxhall, Amy P. Hunt, Libby J. James,<br />

Carrie A. Mansfield, Danny A. Merlin,<br />

Amanda S. Smiley, Tony B. Taylor, Stacey A.<br />

Vandiford and Lauren M. Vaughn) worked<br />

hard to ensure the continued success of the<br />

YLD by focusing their energy on community<br />

service initiatives and fun social events. This<br />

year also brought about a structural change<br />

that turned the old “Young Lawyers Section”<br />

into the new “Young Lawyers Division.”<br />

Academic Internship Program<br />

The 2009-10 Academic Internship Program<br />

was a great success thanks to the volunteer<br />

speakers and the Charlotte <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

Schools. Seventeen high school students spent<br />

their spring semester learning about the legal<br />

profession. Each week the students would<br />

meet with a local attorney who would teach<br />

the students about various areas of law ranging<br />

from sports law to intellectual property to the<br />

immigration system. Special thanks to all of<br />

the volunteers who donated their time and<br />

energy to this program, but most significantly<br />

the co-chairs of this committee, Amy P. Hunt<br />

and Michael J. Hoefling.<br />

Ask-A-Lawyer Day<br />

The YLD co-sponsored the North Carolina<br />

<strong>Bar</strong> Association’s Ask-A-Lawyer Day on<br />

February 6, <strong>2010</strong>. Thanks to the leadership of<br />

Lauren M. Vaughn, 21 MCB attorneys<br />

volunteered to provide free legal advice to<br />

members of our community at the walk-in<br />

clinic at the Johnston YMCA.<br />

Community Service Projects<br />

The YLD Community Service Committee<br />

started their year off with a book drive in<br />

connection with Read to Me, Charlotte! The<br />

generous support of <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong><br />

attorneys led to the collection of more than<br />

300 books for use in free community<br />

bookshelves throughout <strong>Mecklenburg</strong><br />

<strong>County</strong>’s social service agencies, hospitals and<br />

laundromats. In November, attorneys and staff<br />

from law firms and companies across<br />

<strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong> provided Thanksgiving<br />

meals to 36 families through the YLD and<br />

Thompson Child and Family Focus Center. In<br />

December, the YLD coordinated with the<br />

Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Project to donate<br />

holiday gifts to 289 <strong>Mecklenburg</strong> <strong>County</strong><br />

children who would otherwise not have had<br />

holiday presents. The YLD also organized an<br />

April clothing and household goods drive to<br />

benefit Crisis Assistance Ministry. The YLD<br />

appreciates the support of each person who<br />

participated in these worthy initiatives. Many<br />

thanks to Amanda B. Smiley and Stacey A.<br />

Vandiford who headed up the Community<br />

Service Committee.<br />

Law Explorers Program<br />

The Law Explorers program educated<br />

Charlotte area high school students on various<br />

aspects of the legal profession. The students<br />

heard from several volunteers with diverse<br />

practice areas and participated in a mock trial.<br />

Thanks to Jessica J. Sibley and Tony B. Taylor<br />

for heading up this worthy initiative.<br />

Social Events<br />

The YLD coordinated a number of social<br />

events that allowed members to network and<br />

enjoy the company of their fellow young<br />

lawyers. This year, the YLD hosted socials at<br />

some of Charlotte’s hottest new restaurants,<br />

including Strike City Bowling, Enso Asian<br />

Bistro, Vivace and Georges Brasserie. The YLD<br />

thanks Tony B. Taylor, Ben-Austrin Willis, F.<br />

William Devore IV, Tonya S. Graser, Trey<br />

Lindley and Christian H. Staples for<br />

organizing our successful socials. Carrie<br />

Mansfield also organized a YLD softball team<br />

which will start its first season this summer.<br />

Swearing-In Ceremonies<br />

The YLD hosted two swearing-in<br />

ceremonies for new admittees to the North<br />

Carolina State <strong>Bar</strong>. Approximately 190 new<br />

attorneys were sworn in during these two<br />

ceremonies. Libby J. James chaired the<br />

Swearing-In Committee again this year and<br />

ensured its continued success.<br />

Your BFF<br />

continued from page 2<br />

Sam several times, comforting him<br />

through the process and listening intently<br />

to his perspective on the situation. It was<br />

not long before the team discovered<br />

aspects of Sam’s life that had been hidden<br />

from the court. When he was five, a<br />

report was called in by a neighbor to<br />

Child Protective Services because of<br />

domestic violence. His father had been<br />

mistreating his mother. His mother had<br />

indeed been over-using prescription<br />

drugs.<br />

Nevertheless, all of this tragedy did not<br />

change the fact that these were Sam’s<br />

parents, and that some kind of solution<br />

must be developed. The team required<br />

that Sam’s mother receive extensive<br />

substance abuse counseling. Both parents<br />

were required to attend parenting classes.<br />

And, Sam’s father began seeing a<br />

therapist. After several months of<br />

working with Sam’s parents, the entire<br />

family came together to agree upon a<br />

custody arrangement. Sam’s parents had<br />

transformed - they were no longer<br />

focused on who hated whom more, but<br />

instead, they focused on what would<br />

work best for Sam.<br />

With your help, we are building brighter<br />

futures for families by intervening at a<br />

crucial time. No, Sam will not grow up in<br />

the traditional nuclear family, but he will<br />

grow up having strong relationships with<br />

both his mom and his dad. Like any<br />

parents, they have their issues. But today,<br />

they express their love for Sam in a<br />

healthy manner, by providing a safe,<br />

happy home for him to grow up.<br />

These are just a few of the ways your<br />

generosity has helped those in need over the<br />

years. The MBF would like to thank each of<br />

you that have supported the Foundation<br />

through your donations and your time and<br />

ask that you continue your support in these<br />

trying economic times as the needs of others<br />

continues to increase. Be a Foundation<br />

Friend. Support Your BFF!<br />

www.meckbar.org <strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong> 15


MECKLENBURG COUNTY BAR<br />

438 Queens Road<br />

Charlotte, NC 28207<br />

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED<br />

PRSRT STD<br />

U.S. POSTAGE<br />

PAID<br />

CHARLOTTE, NC<br />

PERMIT NO. 3337<br />

DATED MATERIAL<br />

Knowledge<br />

of the Legal Market.<br />

Access toTalent.<br />

With practice and recruitment experience in every major market in North and South Carolina, CAROLINA LEGAL<br />

STAFFING, the trusted leader in legal employment services, provides full service permanent and temporary<br />

placement for attorneys, paralegals and legal support personnel.<br />

www.carolinalegal.com<br />

Charlotte • Raleigh • Columbia • Greenville<br />

201 South College Street • Suite 1690 • Charlotte, NC 28244 • 704/343-4822<br />

<strong>Jun</strong>e <strong>2010</strong><br />

www.meckbar.org

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