Jun., 2010 - Mecklenburg County Bar

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2009-10 Summary Volunteer Lawyer Program Committee By Erika A. Olson & Sean F. Perrin, Co-chairs The MCB Volunteer Lawyer Program continued its longstanding support of its community partners: Legal Aid of North Carolina, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont (LSSP) and the Council for Children’s Rights. In 2009-10, the MCB VLP worked closely with Legal Aid’s Landlord/Tenant Project to recruit law firms to assist with intake and representation of new cases. The MCB VLP is now focused on assisting LSSP with a similar partnership for employee benefits appeals. The MCB VLP’s Attorney for the Day program with the 26th Judicial District continued to provide consultations for low income clients who are handling family law matters pro se. Several firms committed to regular, monthly schedules at the SelfServe Center. The remainder of the shifts were covered by more than 100 trained MCB VLP volunteers who donated approximately 200 volunteer hours in 2009-10. In January, 40 new volunteers were trained in the full spectrum of the SelfServe Center services – many received the training free of charge in exchange for a 4- hour volunteer commitment in the Center. The MCB VLP and the SelfServe Center collaborated with the Charlotte School of Law to create a pro bono program for law students. The students, supervised by MCB VLP attorneys, teach weekly family law or landlord/tenant clinics to pro se litigants. The Wills & Estates program worked closely with Habitat for Humanity to help fulfill Habitat for Humanity homeowners’ obligations. More than 20 wills and health care powers of attorney have been assigned or completed this year. The Pro Bono for Nonprofits program opened 10 cases this fiscal year with several currently in the review process. MCB VLP attorneys presented information at the Buddy Kemp Caring House, participated in the North Carolina Bar Association’s 4-All Program and volunteered at an NAACP Law Clinic held in Mecklenburg County. Several Continuing Legal Education volunteer trainings were held on domestic violence, nonprofits, pro se assistance, estate planning and landlord tenant disputes. The MCB VLP participated in the October 2009 Access to Justice Commission Pro Bono Summit. The MCB VLP also presented information regarding pro bono opportunities at the Charlotte School of Law Pro Bono Fair and partnered with the Professionalism, Lawyer Life and Culture Committee in April to present a Coffee Connections tailored specifically to pro bono work. The MCB VLP conducted an expansive survey of all MCB members to gauge attorneys’ interest in pro bono work. In addition the MCB VLP worked with the MCB Communications Committee to publicize opportunities for pro bono work and volunteer recognition through articles in the Mecklenburg Bar News, Bar Blasts and MeckBar.org. Volunteer opportunities were presented to the Solo Practitioner/ Small Firm Section in hopes of building collaboration opportunities with attorneys in that Section in the near future. Seven pro bono awards were presented at the MCB Annual Meeting. The award winners are featured on page 5. 2009-10 Summary Memorials Committee By Jonathan E. Buchan and George V. Hanna III, Co-Chairs For a number of years, it has been our Bar’s tradition to honor the memory of members of the Bar who have died during the year. When the family desires, a memorial ceremony is conducted for a deceased member at a special session of the Superior Court, presided over by one of our resident superior court judges (or occasionally a district court judge), and attended by the deceased member’s family and friends, the president of the Bar, a co-chair of the Memorials Committee, and other members of the Bar. On behalf of the Memorials Committee, a designated member of the Bar prepares and presents at this memorial ceremony a special resolution commemorating the life and services of the deceased member. This resolution becomes a permanent record in the minutes of the Court. The Court is subsequently adjourned in memory of the deceased member. The Committee extends special thanks and appreciation to the judges who presided on these occasions, to those members of the Bar who have prepared and presented the resolutions, to the Bar members and family and friends who have attended these memorial proceedings, and to Amy Young and Linda Brooks who have handled the various arrangements necessary to the continuing of this fine tradition of the Bar. During the past year, proceedings have been conducted for the following deceased members of our Bar: Deceased Member Memorial Proceeding Resolution Presenter Presiding Judge Joseph C. Travis Sr. June 18, 2009 Hon. Daphne L. Cantrell Hon. Richard D. Boner Henry Hall Wilson III July 30, 2009 Gerard A. Bos Hon. J. Gentry Caudill Joseph Estwanik, IV January 21, 2010 W. James Chandler Hon. Richard D. Boner David E. Henderson March 25, 2010 Robert Henderson Hon. Richard D. Boner 14 June 2010 www.meckbar.org
2009-10 Summary Young Lawyers Division By Amy B. Foxhall, Chair The Young Lawyers Division of the Mecklenburg County Bar (YLD) had an exciting 2009-10 year. This year’s YLD Council (Amy B. Foxhall, Amy P. Hunt, Libby J. James, Carrie A. Mansfield, Danny A. Merlin, Amanda S. Smiley, Tony B. Taylor, Stacey A. Vandiford and Lauren M. Vaughn) worked hard to ensure the continued success of the YLD by focusing their energy on community service initiatives and fun social events. This year also brought about a structural change that turned the old “Young Lawyers Section” into the new “Young Lawyers Division.” Academic Internship Program The 2009-10 Academic Internship Program was a great success thanks to the volunteer speakers and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Seventeen high school students spent their spring semester learning about the legal profession. Each week the students would meet with a local attorney who would teach the students about various areas of law ranging from sports law to intellectual property to the immigration system. Special thanks to all of the volunteers who donated their time and energy to this program, but most significantly the co-chairs of this committee, Amy P. Hunt and Michael J. Hoefling. Ask-A-Lawyer Day The YLD co-sponsored the North Carolina Bar Association’s Ask-A-Lawyer Day on February 6, 2010. Thanks to the leadership of Lauren M. Vaughn, 21 MCB attorneys volunteered to provide free legal advice to members of our community at the walk-in clinic at the Johnston YMCA. Community Service Projects The YLD Community Service Committee started their year off with a book drive in connection with Read to Me, Charlotte! The generous support of Mecklenburg County attorneys led to the collection of more than 300 books for use in free community bookshelves throughout Mecklenburg County’s social service agencies, hospitals and laundromats. In November, attorneys and staff from law firms and companies across Mecklenburg County provided Thanksgiving meals to 36 families through the YLD and Thompson Child and Family Focus Center. In December, the YLD coordinated with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Project to donate holiday gifts to 289 Mecklenburg County children who would otherwise not have had holiday presents. The YLD also organized an April clothing and household goods drive to benefit Crisis Assistance Ministry. The YLD appreciates the support of each person who participated in these worthy initiatives. Many thanks to Amanda B. Smiley and Stacey A. Vandiford who headed up the Community Service Committee. Law Explorers Program The Law Explorers program educated Charlotte area high school students on various aspects of the legal profession. The students heard from several volunteers with diverse practice areas and participated in a mock trial. Thanks to Jessica J. Sibley and Tony B. Taylor for heading up this worthy initiative. Social Events The YLD coordinated a number of social events that allowed members to network and enjoy the company of their fellow young lawyers. This year, the YLD hosted socials at some of Charlotte’s hottest new restaurants, including Strike City Bowling, Enso Asian Bistro, Vivace and Georges Brasserie. The YLD thanks Tony B. Taylor, Ben-Austrin Willis, F. William Devore IV, Tonya S. Graser, Trey Lindley and Christian H. Staples for organizing our successful socials. Carrie Mansfield also organized a YLD softball team which will start its first season this summer. Swearing-In Ceremonies The YLD hosted two swearing-in ceremonies for new admittees to the North Carolina State Bar. Approximately 190 new attorneys were sworn in during these two ceremonies. Libby J. James chaired the Swearing-In Committee again this year and ensured its continued success. Your BFF continued from page 2 Sam several times, comforting him through the process and listening intently to his perspective on the situation. It was not long before the team discovered aspects of Sam’s life that had been hidden from the court. When he was five, a report was called in by a neighbor to Child Protective Services because of domestic violence. His father had been mistreating his mother. His mother had indeed been over-using prescription drugs. Nevertheless, all of this tragedy did not change the fact that these were Sam’s parents, and that some kind of solution must be developed. The team required that Sam’s mother receive extensive substance abuse counseling. Both parents were required to attend parenting classes. And, Sam’s father began seeing a therapist. After several months of working with Sam’s parents, the entire family came together to agree upon a custody arrangement. Sam’s parents had transformed - they were no longer focused on who hated whom more, but instead, they focused on what would work best for Sam. With your help, we are building brighter futures for families by intervening at a crucial time. No, Sam will not grow up in the traditional nuclear family, but he will grow up having strong relationships with both his mom and his dad. Like any parents, they have their issues. But today, they express their love for Sam in a healthy manner, by providing a safe, happy home for him to grow up. These are just a few of the ways your generosity has helped those in need over the years. The MBF would like to thank each of you that have supported the Foundation through your donations and your time and ask that you continue your support in these trying economic times as the needs of others continues to increase. Be a Foundation Friend. Support Your BFF! www.meckbar.org June 2010 15
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Jun., 2010 - Mecklenburg County Bar

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