Jun., 2010 - Mecklenburg County Bar
Jun., 2010 - Mecklenburg County Bar
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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Right: André<br />
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with students at<br />
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promotion of diversity and inclusion within the<br />
<strong>Bar</strong> remains a goal shared by all stakeholders<br />
The Committee anticipates another<br />
successful year ahead. We wish to thank our<br />
Committee volunteers, local affinity bars and<br />
the MCB for their continued support of our<br />
efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive<br />
legal community.<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 />
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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