Jun., 2010 - Mecklenburg County Bar

2009-10 Summary
Bar History
Committee
By Mark R. Bernstein & Ray S. Farris, Co-Chairs
The Bar History Committee was formed to preserve the history of
lawyers in the Mecklenburg region and to recognize the important role
that they have played in this community. To that end, co-authors
Howard Covington and Marion Ellis were commissioned to write the
history of the Mecklenburg County Bar and its predecessor lawyers in
celebration of the Bar’s Centennial in 2012. Messrs. Covington and Ellis
have been researching and writing this history, incorporating the
significant periods of history for our region and the country, and the
contribution or in some instances the shortcomings of members of the
Bar. Beginning in 1767, the history will cover some of our “characters”
and the flavor of the practice of law long ago and more recently. The
book will include reference to documents, photos and books solicited
from our Bar membership, as well as extensive research by the authors.
The Committee has focused much of their efforts in 2009-10 to
raising sufficient funds for the writing and publishing of the Bar’s
history. It has successfully called on many Mecklenburg County law
firms and individuals to sponsor the book. Individual attorneys and
firms not yet reached will soon be contacted about contribution
opportunities before concluding the fundraising campaign before the
fall of 2010. If you are interested in learning more about opportunities
to contribute to the Bar history book, please contact Leah Reed at
704/375-8624 or Co-Chair Mark R. Bernstein at 704/335-9005 or Co-
Chair Ray S. Farris at 704/998-2223.
The Committee is also evaluating how best to ensure that Bar
photographs, books, papers and other documents are archived in a
manner that will preserve this part of the Bar’s history while maximizing
accessibility. If you have any of these documents of historical
importance to the Mecklenburg County Bar, the Committee would be
pleased to receive and safeguard those items in an archive it intends to
maintain and share for generations to come.
Editorial Policy
The Mecklenburg Bar News accepts editorial and advertising material of general legal
interest to the practicing Bar of the 26th Judicial District. The implicit purposes of the
newsletter, website, and related methods of communication are to educate members
of the Mecklenburg County Bar and to create and maintain shared communication
with its members. The Communications Committee reserves the right to accept,
reject, or edit all material.
DISCLAIMER Efforts will be made to provide information of interest that is timely,
accurate, and relevant to the legal community. The Mecklenburg County Bar is not
responsible for misprints, typographical errors, or misinformation in The Mecklenburg
Bar News. The views and opinions are not necessarily those of the 26th Judicial
District Bar.
Communications Committee: Tricia Derr, Chair, Justin Carpenter, J.P. Davis, Alan
Edmonds, Bob Johnston, Charles Keller, Rhea Kelley, John Lassiter, Carrie
Mansfield, Chara Moore, Phillip Lewis, Nancy Roberson, Michael Shor, Rob Wick
2009-10 Summary
Continuing
Legal Education
Committee
By Heather W. Culp & John W. Reis, Co-Chairs
The Continuing Legal Education Committee is on track to meet –
and in all likelihood exceed – its challenge to generate a record
$500,000 gross/$325,000 net revenue for fiscal year 2009–10. As of
late April 2010, CLE gross revenue was $476,070 / net revenue was
$334,561. More than two months of CLE programming remain for
this fiscal year.
The 2009-10 year has been one of our busiest years!
• Increase in programming: We offered 96 live programs and 79 video
replays - compared to 71 live programs and 77 replays in 2008-
09.
• Increase in online programming: From July 2009 through April
2010, 633 hours were viewed online, a dramatic increase from 542
hours during the same time period last fiscal year.
• Increase in attendees: As of April 27, 2010, we had 4,233 attendees
at MCB CLEs – including live, video replays, and online courses,
compared to 3,474 attendees at the same point last year.
• Increase in CLE options: We expanded our online CLE options to
include live webcasts. Note that of the 12 hours of annual CLE
required in North Carolina, 4 may be taken online and the other 8
must be "live.” Webcasts fulfill the "live" CLE requirement.
Expect to see more webcasting options in the coming months.
Second only to mandatory bar dues, MCB CLE programs are the Bar’s
largest funding resource. Equally important, MCB CLEs promote
professionalism and collegiality among its members. We thank the
many attorneys in our Bar who suggested, planned, spoke at and
attended a variety of new and timely programs.
The success and expansion of the CLE market is a direct result of
the talents of Director of Continuing Legal Education Lisa Armanini,
with the invaluable assistance of Sally Kenney and newcomer Sara
Poplin. Thank you, Lisa, Sally and Sara for your hard work and
dedication.
Getting involved in the CLE Committee is a great way to meet
fellow lawyers across practice areas. Serving as a program planner or
speaker entitles you to free CLE credit. If you have ideas for new
programs, would like to join the CLE committee or wish to present
and/or plan programs yourself, please contact John Reis at 704/376-
3400 or jreis@cozen.com; Heather Culp at 704/333-0630 or
hculp@mitchellculp.com; or Lisa Armanini at 704/375-8624 or
larmanini@meckbar.org.
6 June 2010 www.meckbar.org