Ward Black Law Attorney Manisha Patel Appointed Vice President of NCAWA

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Family law attorney Manisha P. Patel, of Ward Black Law, was recently appointed as Vice President of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys (NCAWA). Patel began her term as Vice President on June 1, 2017 and will serve through December 31, 2017. Her previous roles on the Executive State Board of NCAWA include Education Committee Chair and Secretary.

Family law attorney Manisha P. Patel, of Ward Black Law

Manisha P. Patel

The NCAWA is a statewide non-profit organization founded in 1978 with the mission to promote the participation of women in the legal profession and advance the rights and welfare of women under the law. The efforts of the NCAWA throughout the years have resulted in the passing of numerous laws improving the welfare of women and children in the state of North Carolina on issues including domestic violence, equitable distribution of marital property, and child support enforcement.

“We are thankful that Manisha has been selected to serve in this leadership role with the NCAWA,” says Janet Ward Black, Founder and Managing Attorney at Ward Black Law. “Her hard work and dedication will greatly benefit this organization, and we’re proud of her accomplishment.”

Manisha P. Patel earned her Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law and holds undergraduate degrees in both economics and history from Virginia Tech. With a focus on family law, Patel joined Ward Black Law as a contract attorney in 2013 where she offers compassionate legal support to clients during emotionally stressful transitions. She has been involved with the Piedmont Triad Women Attorneys, a local chapter of the NCAWA, since 2015 and currently serves as President.

Ward Black Law is one of the largest woman-owned firms in North Carolina. The firm represents people in accident injury, workers’ compensation, defective products, family law, veterans’ disability, and other matters. For more about Ward Black Law, visit www.wardblacklaw.com

Second Chance Project Gears Up for its Third Year

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The Second Chance Project, a Greensboro Bar Association pro bono initiative designed to assist eligible and deserving individuals with criminal record expungement, is now entering its third year and there are some exciting developments to report.  The General Assembly recently ratified some changes in the North Carolina General Statutes (effective December 1, 2017) that increase the ability of citizens to obtain expunction of records.  Further, over the past year the Second Chance Project has become integrated with Thrive GSO, a community program being spearheaded by the City of Greensboro Human Relations Department that seeks to end the stigma associated with criminal records.  Between the statutory changes and the relationship with Thrive GSO, the Second Chance Project is positioned to have a large influx of pro bono clients seeking expunction assistance this year.  To that end, we will once again be offering a FREE CLE to all GBA attorneys interested in being trained on the law and process of criminal record expunction.  Because there have been significant changes in the law since the CLE program offered in October of 2015, all attorneys, even those who received the training two years ago, are encouraged to attend.  Keep an eye out for details on this CLE and we look forward to making this year the most successful year of the Second Chance Project yet!

Patrick Kane
Co-Chair, Second Chance Project

Habitat House Update

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Thanks to the incredible volunteer effort put forth by GBA members, our 8th Habitat house is nearing completion. The dedication ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 16 at 11:30 a.m., 722 Prince Road in Greensboro. Please watch for an email with more information coming soon.

Contact Bill Cooke at 336-272-4514
or wocjr@bellsouth.net if you have any questions.

Stell: Is Avvo a Magic Bullet for Building a 21st Century Law Practice?

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NC State Bar Proposed Ethics Opinion Allows Participation

This continues to be a time of disruption and transition in the legal field. Online platforms for accessing legal services provide lawyers with marketing and administrative assistance and clients with transparency. So, what are online platforms and is it ethical for North Carolina attorneys to participate?

Following the quarterly State Bar meeting in July, North Carolina lawyers are going to get the opportunity to voice their opinion about online platforms.

In late 2016, a few members of the bar asked whether it was ethical for a lawyer to participate in an online platform for accessing legal services, in this particular case, Avvo Legal Services. Even while other state bars were declaring an ethical war with Avvo, our State Bar established a subcommittee of the Ethics Committee to study the inquiry. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say almost everyone who agreed to serve on the subcommittee was certain of their position – an opinion allowing lawyers to participate was a bad idea.

Following eight months of serious study and discussion, the subcommittee was unanimous in their decision to publish a proposed opinion that allowed lawyers to participate in such a platform. At the July 27, 2017 quarterly Ethics Committee meeting, the Ethics Committee voted to publish the opinion and seek comments from members of the bar. Look for the opinion in the upcoming issue of the State Bar Journal, as well as online at the State Bar’s website, www.ncbar.gov.

What is an Online Platform?

I typically call these online marketplaces – a website that creates a place where buyers and sellers can connect. Examples are eBay, Paypal , Airbnb and Uber. You can sell products (eBay) or provide services (Uber).

Avvo Legal Services is an online legal platform – a marketplace where attorneys and clients can meet. Avvo provides the technology that allows the lawyer to market their services for fixed-fee, limited-scope legal services. The client choses from among attorneys within the platform who have agreed to offer the services at the fixed-fee amount. When the qualifications have been met, the client pays Avvo, Avvo pays the lawyer and the lawyer pays Avvo a marketing / administrative fee.

Avvo Legal Services is separate from Avvo’s directory of lawyer profiles. Avvo was founded in 2006 as an online directory of lawyers. Avvo expanded their directory business into Avvo Legal Services in 2016. Here are some Avvo statistics:

  • Avvo receives 9 million visitors per month
  • There are 9.9 million searchable Q & A’s on the site
  • 97% of U.S. attorneys have a profile
  • Avvo has received $130+ million in funding

Challenges

There are many challenges facing lawyers today: increased cost, increased competition, business development and marketing, administrative burden, outdated delivery of services, outdated practices, information overload, generational differences, changing business model and alternative legal service providers.

I believe today’s clients will drive a revolution in the delivery of legal services. Clients are empowered with information, harder to engage, want to do-it-themselves, and are more connected and have more options than ever before. Clients will demand transparency (in pricing and process), innovative problem solving and client teams that can deliver timely results at appropriate pricing.

Clients also desire an “effortless experience”. Banks provides this via ATMs available to us 24 hours, 7 days a week. Amazon provides this via online shopping 24 hours a day from the comfort of our homes with free two –day delivery.

Market Conditions

Law school debt is at an all-time high. Depending on whether you graduate from a public versus a private law school, you may be looking at $160k-$250k in debt. According to a recent US News & World Report, UNC-Chapel Hill Law School 2016 graduates had an average debt of $95k among the 75% of their students graduating with debt.

Lawyers are also unemployed and underemployed at extremely high rates. A few years ago, there was one job for every three lawyers. My law school colleagues tell me the numbers are better today. However, many lawyers are underemployed, working jobs that do not require a J.D., working contract positions and running solo practices that barely make the rent.

I talk with experienced lawyers who are struggling. Many practices have never recovered from the Great Recession, their client base is dwindling, their practice area has been hit by tort reform or new regulations. While many of these lawyers would benefit from modernizing their law practices, they don’t know how, they are afraid of ethical and malpractice risks or they are resistant to change.

Yet many young lawyers and young practices are thriving. These lawyers tend to have one thing in common, the use of technology to run very lean law practices. Many of these firms do not employ any employees, they use virtual staff, the lawyers are “do-it-yourself-ers” and they are heavy adapters of technology.

I am in front of lawyers almost daily. I talk to many lawyers who entered law school knowing the high likelihood that they would start their own firm. While they are not afraid of entrepreneurship, they do need modern ways to allow modern clients to find them. This is why in recent years the Ethics Committee has seen inquiries from lawyers asking permission to send text advertising or to offer iPads to potential clients. These are not only “new” advertising ideas to attract potential clients, but these also offer a common means of communication with clients.

Bad Apples

Some lawyers question whether online platforms are presenting an opportunity for only the bad apples to participate. This argument assumes there is some vetting process in place when people hire a lawyer in person rather than online. I think the combined experience of Lawyers Mutual and the State Bar is that there will be lawyers who make mistakes and lawyers who will behave unethically. However, that happens whether the lawyer is hired online or whether the client goes to the local lawyer across from the courthouse. In some instances, it will be easier for the online bad apple to be exposed and the client protected because of online reviews and consumer friendly reimbursement policies.

Conclusion

My desire is not to see online legal platforms take over consumer-based or small business- serving law practices. However, I do believe we need to level the playing field for lawyers who are trying to build 21st century practices for 21st century clients.

I believe the clients who are attracted to online platforms are ordinary people in your community who would hire their local lawyer if the lawyer would do four simple things:

  • educate potential clients about their legal needs
  • show potential clients how you can provide solutions to those needs
  • market yourself so that potential clients can find you
  • present potential clients with pricing they can understand – not necessarily discount pricing but rather transparency in pricing

Most online platforms offer these benefits to their clients. My hope is that more lawyers will design their own 21st century offices. In the meantime, I am pleased with the proposed ethics opinion and I hope you will carefully study the issue and make your voice heard to the State Bar. And please, work towards building your own 21st century law firm.

Camille Stell is the Vice President of Client Services for Lawyers Mutual. Invite Lawyers Mutual to present “Building a 21st Century Law Firm” CLE for your local bar or law firm presentation. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille Stell at 800.662.8843 or camille@lawyersmutualnc.com.

We Need You to be a Book Buddy

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Do you enjoy reading and helping elementary school kids?  If so, the Young Lawyers Section hopes that you will be a Book Buddy this school year.  As GBA member Richard Hicks, a Book Buddies volunteer, said, “I have found reading to the children to be a very rewarding experience.  I suspect that I have benefited from it more than they have.”

An excited group of YLS Book Buddies at Hampton Elementary

An excited group of YLS Book Buddies at Hampton Elementary

Book Buddies is a volunteer program that YLS created and supports every year.  The program pairs lawyers with classrooms at Hampton Elementary to read aloud to the class for a half-hour every few weeks.  The great thing about the program is that it’s flexible—once you’re paired with a classroom, you work with the teacher to schedule mutually agreeable reading times.  At the end of the school year, YLS also purchases books so that each Book Buddy can deliver a book to every kid in his or her classroom—the kids love it!

Our goal is to fully staff Hampton’s pre-K through second-grade classes and expand to another Guilford County school.  Book Buddies is open to all GBA members, so you don’t have to be a young lawyer to volunteer with us.  To find out more about Book Buddies and how you can volunteer, please email Whit Pierce at whit.pierce@smithmoorelaw.com.

COUNT ME IN FOR 2017-18 COMMITTEE SERVICE

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If you would like to serve on a GBA committee for the 2017-18 FY, please indicate up to three preferences by placing 1, 2 or 3 by your choices below (1 being your 1st choice, etc.).  If you currently serve on a committee and would like to continue, we ask that you also complete and return this form.  Committee member selections are made in September and members will be appointed by e-mail by September 30th.

Download Printable PDF Form Here

Committee Descriptions

Awards & Recognitions-Researches and makes recommendations to the Executive Board for annual awards, award recipients, and member recognitions.

Community Involvement-Recommends community service projects to the Association to adopt and runs such projects.

CLE-Plans and presents the Association’s CLE programs for the coming year; expands and enhances the number of CLE offerings of GBA.

Elementary School Project-Arranges a program or project for benefit of students to enhance interest in learning; coordinates the holiday Elementary Book drive for each student to receive the gift of a book.

Herb Falk Society-Serves as a conduit for attorneys to quantify their pro bono services and be recognized for such efforts by carrying the designation as a Herb Falk Fellow. The terms and conditions that will govern this initiative will be recommended by this committee and accepted by the Association before it is instituted.

Health & Wellness-Recommends a health & wellness project for the GBA to adopt and implements such project.

High Point Bar Liaison-Plans events and collaborative projects with the High Point Bar.

History & Archives-Conducts interviews with senior members of the Association; preserves GBA history and records.

Holiday Party-Decides on location, prepares invitations, plans menus, prizes and entertainment for the annual holiday party.

Legal Aid Fundraiser-Identifies a fundraiser project to benefit Legal Aid of NC, and organizes the event.

Membership-Recruits, retains, and engages members through information, involvement in GBA committees and events, and membership meetings.

Memorials-Monitors newspaper obituaries and contacts members regarding deceased members; arranges for notice to members for special seating if funeral (if applicable); arranges to present memorial to the family at a membership meeting; maintains archives.

Newsletter-Publishes 9 issues per year, sends notices to officers and committee chairs, solicits/ writes articles, advises and assists with publication of directory.

Nominating-Presents a slate of candidates for new officers and 3 new directors for the upcoming year, to be presented to the Executive Committee in March, published in the newsletter, and voted on at the April Business Meeting of the Association.

Public Relations-Serves as a liaison between the news media and the GBA, promotes the publication of good news about GBA and its members in the news media, and updates the GBA website and blog.

The Second Chance Project-The GBA’s Signature Pro Bono project, which assists Legal Aid referred clients in obtaining expunctions of criminal records

Message from the President, Sept 2017

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Greetings and welcome to the GBA’s 88th year!  I am deeply honored to serve as your President and am excited about all of the wonderful fellowship and opportunities to serve that await us.

I am delighted to announce that the dedication for the GBA’s eighth Habitat for Humanity house will occur on Saturday, September 16 at 11:30 at 722 Prince Street in Greensboro.  We are grateful to all of the folks who donated to the fundraising effort for the house. We also appreciate the volunteers who came out during the construction process and worked hard with the homeowners, the R’Mah family.  The R’Mahs are remarkable people who could not be more deserving of their beautiful new home.  I urge all of you to attend this joyous celebration of hard work, determination, generosity and community collaboration.

On Thursday, September 21, the GBA will hold its first member meeting of the year at the Starmount Forest Country Club.  Cocktails start at 5:30 p.m., with the meeting’s call to order to follow at 6:15 p.m.  This year, we are changing up our usual format for the first meeting.  One of my goals as President is to increase participation on our committees across a broader swath of ages, races/ethnicities  and practice areas.  A greater diversity of viewpoints will better enhance the ability of our committees to serve our profession and the community.  To accomplish that goal, we are going to have a “Get to Know the GBA” panel of our committee chairs who will describe their committee’s goals and planned activities.  Sign-up sheets will be available at each table. Any member who signs up for a new committee will receive a GBA mouse pad.  Many of you may be surprised to learn about all of the activities the GBA’s committees engage in each year!

Another goal of my term is to increase communication and interaction between the GBA and the High Point Bar Association.  Accordingly, I have created the High Point Bar Liaison committee.  Allie Petrova has graciously agreed to co-chair the committee with me.  We will keep our members informed of HPBA CLEs, meetings and social events that GBA members can attend.  We will look for opportunities to include HPBA members in our activities.  We hope that this committee will provide multiple occasions for fellowship, networking and cross-referrals between the two bar associations.

In closing, I want to emphasize that my door is always open.  If you have ideas for activities, CLEs or community service projects, please reach out to me at any time.

Here’s to a memorable and successful year!

Hill Evans Jordan & Beatty in Best Lawyers in America© 2018

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The law firm of Hill Evans Jordan & Beatty, PLLC, is proud to announce that William W. Jordan and Everett B. Saslow, Jr. have been included in the 2018 Edition of Best Lawyers in America. Will, continually listed since 1995, is included in the Family Law Section. Rett, included since 2010, is named to the Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law Section and to the  Litigation – Bankruptcy Section. Rett is named Greensboro’s Lawyer of the Year for 2018 in the area of Bankruptcy Litigation.

William W. Jordan

William W. Jordan

Everett B. Saslow, Jr.

Everett B. Saslow, Jr.

Will Jordan is Board Certified Specialist in Family Law by the NC State Board of Legal Specialization. He is a 47 year veteran of the practice and a career long member of the firm.

Rett Saslow is a Board Certified Specialist in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He is a 44 year veteran of the practice and is also a career long member of the firm. Rett is a member of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees. 

Using sophisticated methodology, Best Lawyers© compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers within the same legal practice area and geographical area. The Best Lawyers in America methodology for inclusion can be found on their website here: https://www.bestlawyers.com/Content/Downloads/bl-expanded-methodology.pdf

The Greensboro law firm of Hill Evans Jordan & Beatty, PLLC has been serving the greater Triad region since 1948. We provide more than two centuries of cumulative experience in several core practice areas, including workers’ compensation and personal injury, family law and adoption, corporate law, business and consumer bankruptcy, estate planning and administration, and civil litigation secondary to these. Our firm offers the expertise of four board certified specialists in three areas of practice, and two mediators. The attorneys at Hill Evans Jordan & Beatty welcome referrals and are commonly associated with their peers on complex matters in their individual fields. To find out more about Hill Evans Jordan & Beatty, PLLC, its lawyers and services, visit our website at http://hillevans.com.

Smith Moore Leatherwood Partner Marilyn Feuchs-Marker Elected President Of Guilford Inn Of Court

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Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP is pleased to announce that Marilyn Feuchs-Marker has been elected president of the Guilford Inn of Court, which is a chapter of the American Inns of Court.

The American Inns of Court is an association of lawyers, judges and other legal professionals from all levels and backgrounds who share a passion for professional excellence. There are nearly 400 chartered American Inns of Court in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Tokyo, with more than 30,000 active members nationwide.

Marilyn Feuchs-Marker

Marilyn Feuchs-Marker

Feuchs-Marker is a partner in the firm’s Greensboro office and has more than 25 years of experience practicing family law. She is experienced in all aspects of family law matters, including complex equitable distribution matters, custody, spousal support, child support and international family law under the Hague Convention under the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. She has been recognized by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for her work in the protection of children. For more than 20 years she has helped parents whose children have been abducted to and from the United States, England, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

Feuchs-Marker is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Loyola Law School. She has been recognized in Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite and has been selected by her peers for inclusion in Woodward White’s The Best Lawyers in America for more than 10 years.

Stell: 52 Ways to Wow a Client

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Providing great client service is among the best ways to avoid bar grievances and malpractice claims. Impressing your client with your legal skills, your business savvy and high emotional intelligence is also guaranteed to encourage referrals, which is the best way to build your law practice. Here are 52 tips to wow your clients.

  1. Return phone calls
  2. Ask questions
  3. Under-promise and over-deliver
  4. Anticipate future needs
  5. Help clients maneuver the system
  6. Be sensitive to client needs
  7. Be aware of the time you are charging clients
  8. Be empathetic
  9. Be transparent in communications
  10. Make technology your friend
  11. Be efficient
  12. Be transparent in pricing
  13. Ask for feedback
  14. Create and share content with your client
  15. Offer educational programs to your client
  16. Be available
  17. Advocate for your client
  18. Treat your client with respect
  19. Treat your staff with respect
  20. Be a team player
  21. Check your ego at the door
  22. Be honest
  23. Be authentic
  24. Get personal
  25. Listen to your gut
  26. Apologize if something goes wrong
  27. Choose clients you like
  28. Fire clients when necessary
  29. Be a life-long learner
  30. Cultivate a team approach
  31. Refresh your office space
  32. Put fresh flowers in the reception area
  33. Freshen your bathrooms and offer amenities like mouthwash, mints, lotion
  34. Provide parking or directions for parking
  35. Become an expert
  36. Become a NC State Bar Specialist
  37. Develop leadership skills
  38. Develop a niche
  39. Invest in your community
  40. Invest in a charity
  41. Invest in pro bono work – visit ncprobono.net
  42. Update your client intake process
  43. Use effective client engagement letters – visit lawyersmutualnc.com
  44. Encourage referrals from your clients
  45. Survey your clients
  46. Take time off
  47. Fill your office with positive, energetic, inspirational people
  48. Develop a Board of Advisors, trusted friends and colleagues to guide you and your practice
  49. Focus on one client at a time
  50. Network and develop business in an authentic manner
  51. Earn your client’s trust
  52. Build an awesome website

Good luck as you work hard cultivating exceptional client relationships.

Camille Stell is the Vice President of Client Services for Lawyers Mutual. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or 800.662.8843.

GBA Annual Picnic 2017

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Sunday, May 21

4:00pm

First National Bank Park’s
Novant Health Picnic Area (at 3rd Base)

Bring your family (kids too!) to cheer on the
Greensboro Grasshoppers
as they take on the Delmarva Shorebirds

The Young Lawyers Section will be collecting donations for
the Book Buddies program at Hampton Elementary School.

YLS will use all donations to purchase books so that our Book Buddies
will have a new book to take home for the summer—our goal is $500!

Click here to Register

New Members, Approved April 12, 2017

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Brandon Kenneth Jones
Carruthers & Roth, P.A
Endorsed by Kenneth L. Jones

Stacey L. Kraftchick
Tuggle Duggins P.A.
Endorsed by Michael J. Wenig

Jessica Stone
Legal Aid of NC
Endorsed by Janet McAuley Blue

Free CLE – Understanding the Business Valuation Process for Litigation

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The GBA will sponsor a CLE to be held on Thursday, May 25th at Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP in Greensboro, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. Check in begins at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be provided.

The CLE will feature a presentation from Dwight A. Ensley, a Certified Valuation Analyst and North Carolina licensed attorney.  Mr. Ensley is the founder and principal of ValuePoint.biz, a valuation firm that performs valuations of closely held businesses across the U.S. and valuations of defined benefit pension plans for divorce cases in North Carolina.  Mr. Ensley’s presentation will focus on how businesses are defined, when business valuations are required, what to look for in selecting an evaluator, the various types of business valuations, what standards to use when evaluating a business, and the elements of a business valuation report.  One hour of general credit for this CLE is pending approval from the State Bar.

The CLE is free for GBA members.

Please contact Ellis Martin at ellis.martin@smithmoorelaw.com for any further questions.

Register for May 25 CLE Here

Habitat 2017 Donors Recognized

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The Habitat Steering Committee would like to extend its sincere appreciation to those donors who made the Greensboro Bar Association’s 8th Habitat House possible. Thanks to their contributions, and those of our dedicated work crews, the Tona Nay and D’Joan R’mah family will soon have a home to call their own.

Developer ($1,000+)

Gerard Davidson & Janet Ward Black

Kenneth R. Keller

M. Jay Devaney, In Honor of Brett Devaney

Herman Cone III, In Honor of Bob Cone

James L. Swisher

Nancy S. Ferguson

Douglas E. Wright

Tuggle Duggins P.A.

Contractor ($500 to $999)

Carruthers & Roth, P.A.

Jeri L. & Peter Whitfield, In Honor of Bob Cone

James W. Bryan

Robert C. Cone

Timothy Peck, In Honor of Gerard Davidson

John R. Morgan

Master Builder ($250 to $499)

Melanie M. Hamilton

Barden W. Cooke

W. Erwin Fuller, Jr.

Barbara R. Christy

Vance Barron, Jr.

M. Daniel McGinn

Reid L. Phillips

J. Scott Dillon, In Honor of Kenneth R. Keller

J. Patrick Haywood. In Honor of Kenneth R. Keller

Jesse W. Anderson

Diane & John Lowe

William G. McNairy

Benjamin R. Norman

Howard L. Williams

Christine L. Myatt

Bruce P. Ashley

Richard A. Coughlin, In Honor of Jacob Coughlin

Neale T. Johnson

Contributor

John M. Cross, Jr. & Jennifer K. Van Zant

Edward C. Winslow, III

Joseph R. Beatty, In Honor of My Friends at Hill Evans Jordan & Beatty, PLLC

Michael R. Abel

Sabrina Bailey Clark

Catherine C. Eagles

R. Thompson Wright

Sharon B. Malburg, In Honor of Nexsen Pruett Real Estate Attorneys (GSO Office)

T.M. “Mark” Gaylord, In Memory of Mildred Troxler Gaylord

Peter G. Pappas

Donald K. Speckhard

Michael J. Allen, In Memory of Dan Kuoni

June L. Basden

Kenneth M. Greene, In Honor of Kenneth R. Keller

Richard L. Vanore

Gregory S. & Wallace Williams

Mark K. York

Marc D. Bishop

Stephen W. Earp

Jeffrey E. Oleynik

Kristen King

Paul G. Topolka

William P. H. Cary

Clinton R. Pinyan

Brian J. Mc Millan

Sarah F.Sparrow

William B. Davis

Robert D. Douglas III, In Honor of R.D. Douglas, Jr.

William G. Burgin III

Kristin A. Landrum

Teresa H. Vincent, In Honor of Ms. Fannie Vincent

Tonia A. Cutchin

Susan M. Fradenburg

Gregory G. Holland

Whitney D. Pierce

Lisa K. Shortt

David Clark Smith, Jr.

H. Thomas Jarrell, Jr., In Honor of Guilford County District Court Judges

Martha T. Peddrick

Justin N. Outling

Robert G. Baynes

Carole W. Bruce

Joshua O. Harper

Henry B. Mangum, Jr.

A. Robinson & Eloise M. Hassell

Matthew L. Mason

Margaret R. Kantlehner, In Honor of Jack & Betsy Harrington

Susan R. Burch

Laura & Will Burton

Patti W. Ramseur

Nicholas J. Bakasias

We are still in great need of workers to fill out our crews, now through August. No Construction experience required! Please donate your time to this worthy and rewarding cause.  Register for Habitat Build Now!

Smith Moore Leatherwood Partner Allyson Labban Receives Certification in Health Care Privacy Compliance

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Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP is pleased to announce Allyson Labban, partner in the Greensboro office, recently obtained her Certification in Health Care Privacy Compliance (CHPC®) by the Compliance Certification Board.

This certification signifies knowledge of relevant regulations and proficiency in compliance processes sufficient to assist the health care industry in understanding and addressing legal obligations, as well as the promotion of organizational integrity through the operation of effective compliance programs. The certification is valid for two years and is affiliated with the Health Care Compliance Association.

Allyson Labban

Allyson Labban

Labban works with hospitals and other health care providers to identify, respond to and resolve compliance issues and keep their businesses running. A large part of her practice focuses on state and federal regulatory compliance and fraud and abuse issues and response to OCR and OIG investigations and inquiries.

As a member of a local hospital system’s ethics committee, Labban assists providers and staff in navigating complex patient care and communication issues within the framework of the law and ethical considerations.  She also provides education and training on research ethics and compliance to researchers in the university and private health care settings.

Labban is a graduate of Wofford College with degrees in history and Spanish, and received her law degree from Duke University.

Message from the President, May 2017

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Our May meeting will be a family picnic outing on Sunday, May 21, 2017 for the Hopper’s game at the First National Bank Field downtown.  The picnic (hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ chicken, vegetarian item, cole slaw, baked beans, beer, tea, lemonade and water) runs from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. The game with the Delmarva Shorebirds begins at 4:00 p.m.  The event is free to all GBA members and their families.

This event is coordinated by the Young Lawyers Section of the GBA, which will solicit financial donations for their very successful Book Buddies program.  Please help the Young Lawyers Section reach their goal of $500 (tax deductible contributions can be made to the Greensboro Bar Association Foundation, Inc., marked “YLS – Book Buddies”).

To obtain tickets for the game and picnic, please respond to the e-mail registration notice that Diane will be sending very soon. A special GBA “will call” table will be located at the east entrance (closest to the dog statutes/playground) to the ball park just prior to the picnic.

Construction of our eighth Habitat house is off to a great start.  The Student Veterans Association at UNC-G and a number of our law firms and associated entities (Brooks Pierce, District Court Judges, Federal Court Unity Committee, Nexsen Pruet, Oxner Permar, and Schell Bray) have signed up to staff complete workdays.  However, we still need volunteers.  Please access the Habitat/GBA website to review the schedule and volunteer.

With your help, this year the Greensboro Bar Association:

Amended the 18th Judicial District Bylaws, coordinating efforts with our 18H sister District so both Bylaws are now consistent and on file with the North Carolina Bar Association

Held a special meeting and submitted nominations of Jonathan Kreider, Ronald Butler, and Randall Howell to Governor McCrory for the position of District Court Judge vacated by the retirement of the Honorable Wendy Enochs

Hosted a special session of the North Carolina Court of Appeals and reception to honor Judge Enochs

Awarded the annual GBA Award for Pro Bono Service to Amanda Feder

Recognized Bob Cone as the recipient of the NC State Bar McMillan Distinguished Service Award

Awarded the Centennial Award to John Cross

Awarded two annual GBA Distinguished Service Awards, one to Judge Patrice Hinnant and one to Justice Bob Edmunds

Coordinated a trip to the U.S. Supreme Court

Raised almost $25,000 for Legal Aid

Continued donation of books at Jones Elementary

Continued staffing Potter’s House the third Sunday each month

Donated 35 pints of blood to the Red Cross

Recognized 15 members receiving Herb Falk Society awards for Pro Bono Service

Raised funding and volunteers for our eighth Habitat for Humanity House

Provided 1 hour of substance abuse and 2 hours of ethics CLE to our members

Special thanks to

Afi Johnson-Parrish for her guidance throughout the year, her service as chair of the nominating committee, and her service on the compensation committee

Eloise Hassell, Judge Bill Davis, Sarah Roane, Jeff Oleynik, Ashley Bennington, and Gwen Lewis for their service on the nominating committee

Sarah Roane and Desmond Sheridan for their service on the compensation committee

Judge Teresa Vincent and Ames Chamberlin for the creative “ice breakers” during our lunch meetings and the successful membership mix and mingle events

Gwen Lewis and Elon University School of Law for the Holiday Party

Craig Hensel and his team of volunteers for continued staffing at Potter’s House

YLS President Lisa Arthur and her team for coordinating Pro Bono CLE, the Scrubs versus Suits basketball game fund raiser for the Mustard Seed, and annual Hoppers Picnic and fund raiser for Hampton Elementary Book Buddies Program

Erin Reis, Adam Kerr and their team for the continuing successful Jones Elementary Jones Book project

Martha Peddrick, Judge Vincent, Melissa Duncan and their team for coordinating the Red Cross Blood drive

Sarah Roane, Judge Bill Davis, and Nick Bakatsias for coordinating the most successful fund raiser yet for Legal Aid

Eric Richardson and his team for coordinating the annual Herb Falk Society awards for Pro Bono service

Bob King for our upcoming Lunch & Learn CLE

Sarah Roane for coordinating a very well received (and interesting) annual CLE

Bill Cooke, Nancy Ferguson and their team for raising funds and staffing for construction of our eighth Habitat for Humanity House

Richard Gabriel for coordinating Memorial Resolutions

Eloise Hassell, Doug Henderson, and Judge Vincent on completion of 3 years of service on the GBA Board

Erwin Fuller, Eloise Hassell, and Doug Henderson for their work on the GBA awards committee

Chelsea Anderson for her service as Secretary for both the GBA and 18th Judicial District

Desmond Sheridan for his service as Treasurer for both the GBA and 18th Judicial District

Mark Gaylord and his team for continuing History and Archives interviews

Damon Duncan for keeping our social media active

Doug Tsao for his service as GBA newsletter editor

Pat Kane and Tom Carruthers for their work with the Second Chance Project

Abigail Peoples, Kim Gatling and Margaret Kantlehner for their many contributions to the board

And last but not least, Diane Lowe, our Administrator, for keeping everything together in both the GBA and 18th Judicial District.

Thanks, Ken Keller

Edmunds and Hinnant Receive GBA Distinguished Service Award

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The Greensboro Bar Association established the Distinguished Service Award in 1993 to annually recognize a lawyer for exhibiting a deep devotion to the legal profession and an enduring contribution to the administration of justice and the public good through unselfish service. We were fortunate to have two very deserving recipients this year, Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. and Patrice H. Hinnant.

gba may 2017 distinguished service award

Presenter’s comments are available at the following links:  Robert H. Edmunds. Jr. (PDF) and Patrice A. Hinnant (docx)

Don Vaughan Appointed to North Carolina State Banking Commission

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Former North Carolina State Senator Don Vaughan of Greensboro has been appointed to the North Carolina State Banking Commission. Vaughan was Deputy Leader in the North Carolina Senate. He also served seven terms on the Greensboro City Council, two as the Mayor Pro Tem.

Vaughan graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with highest honors in 1974. He received his master’s degree in public administration from American University, and received his law degree from Wake Forest University. He practices law regularly in North Carolina District and Superior Courts, Federal Court and he is licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

The North Carolina Banking Commission oversees state chartered banks in North Carolina.

Don Vaughan

Don Vaughan

For more information contact:

Don.Vaughan@Vaughanlaw.com

Cell: (336) 215-0194

Office: (336) 273-1415

North Carolina Banking Commission (919) 814-2000.

Stell: Generational Differences: 5 Tips for Effective Communication

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For the first time in American history, we have four different generations working together. Generational differences affect every aspect of work from recruiting new employees to building effective teams. Our communication skills are being tested with so many different generations competing to speak and be heard.

Who are the players?

  1. Traditionalists were born from 1900 – 1945. They value patriotism, loyalty, hard work and respect. They have a “top down” approach to management. They lived through World War I, World War II and the Great Depression and were greatly influenced by these major events. Their names appear on the doors of many of the law firms across our state.
  2. Baby Boomers were born from 1946 – 1964 and make up the majority of partners in law firms today. Boomers are competitive, idealistic and optimistic. Boomers plan to keep working as long as they can be productive.
  3. Generation Xers were born from 1965 – 1980. They are skeptical, independent and resourceful. The divorce rate tripled during their generation and both their parents worked earning them the moniker “latchkey kids.” They often distrust the permanence of institutional or personal relationships. Many Gen Xers are your supervising attorneys.
  4. Millennials were born from 1981 – 1999 and are the majority of law students, young lawyers and legal professionals today. Millennials are realistic, confident and appreciate diversity. Millennials feel empowered to take positive action when things go wrong – this is an excellent trait for a young professional in a client service driven profession. Parents of Millennials included them in the day-to-day negotiations at home, so Millennials expect as much from the office. This can lead to challenges as Traditionalists and Boomers often lead their teams with a “need to know” mentality rather than inviting all team members to participate in the discussion.

Given the potential for conflict based on these generational gaps, here are five tips to help you maneuver through these challenges.

Where is your sense of tradition? Traditionalists and Boomers value tradition. They are proud of the law firms they built. They also experience conflict with the many changes that have happened in the legal profession. They are particularly troubled by the idea that the practice of law is viewed as a business rather than a profession.

As a result, they often feel Gen-Y and Millennials have no sense of tradition or respect for the ways things have always been done.

Solution: Millennials, honor the past by acknowledging that many things about the law do not change quickly. If you understand the resistance, it may help you develop better language to share your new ideas. Rather than focusing on the fact that “everyone” is using the new tools or the financial benefits, you may also want to focus on how efficiencies better serve clients. Traditionalists and Boomers, remember that financially sound business decisions today provide that the firm will be around for generations to come.

Get Out of Our Way. Millennials are confident and are ready to take action. Millennials often express this in an attitude that says “tell us our goals and get out of our way.” This is reflected in the popular style of mentoring often requested by Millennials – situational mentoring. Boomers were the recipient of traditional mentoring that included hands-on training, shadowing partners in client meetings and the courtroom, participating in long lunches to hear war stories and many introductions to the pillars of the local bar.

Solution: Millennials will benefit from listening and learning. There is a good chance you will not be mentored in the same way as the more established lawyers. Take every opportunity to receive an introduction, to get involved with the various bar associations and to ask for advice.

Honor Your Obligations. Understand the requirements of the job before you take it. If working long hours and weekends is expected, your Boomer Boss will frown upon you having an excuse that prevents you from working those hours.

Boomers, Millennials see work and life as overlapping. The idea of face time, sitting in a chair from 7:00 to 7:00 because that is how it has always been done, has no appeal. You can force Millennials to follow the rules for a while, but following old traditions without a business purpose will result in more turnover in employees and difficulty in recruiting top talent.

Solution: Communicate proactively and make sure everyone has the same expectations. Work must be done, deadlines must be met. Attend required and suggested work events and networking events.

Boomers, make clear your expectations with regard to client contact, billing time, face time in the office, and availability after hours. Also recognize that technology has forever changed the legal profession and be realistic in your expectations of face time.

Legal Writing. The most common complaint by Boomer Bosses about Millennial substantive work skills is the lack of excellent writing skills. This skill is honed by practice.

Solution: Millennials, constantly strive to improve your writing. Learn from the edits and rewrites that your Boomer Boss makes to your drafts.

Problem Solving. Ultimately, clients pay lawyers to resolve problems. Learning how to analyze problems and search for solutions is a key in your development as a valued member of the team.

Solution: Look for opportunities to listen in on negotiations and possible solutions to client problems. Listen to your client and understand what a “win” looks like for them. Attorneys across generations should collaborate to make sure you are working towards the same goal for your client.

Overcoming our stereotypes about generational differences will help us to communicate effectively.

Camille Stell is the Vice President of Client Services for Lawyers Mutual. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or 800.662.8843.

2016 Herb Falk Society Inductees

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The Herb Falk Society honors those members of the Greensboro Bar Association who contribute at least 75 hours of pro bono service annually. The fifteen individuals inducted for 2016 were recognized at the March 16 member meeting at the Empire Room. Please join us in congratulating:

Barbara R. Christy – 87.5 Hours

Locke T. Clifford – 77.8 Hours

M. Elizabeth Collins – 116 Hours

Benjamin Crissman – 98 Hours

Blinn L. Cushman – 111 Hours

W. Erwin Fuller, Jr. – 100 Hours

Richard W. Gabriel – 76.2 Hours

A. Holt Gwyn – 168 Hours

Eloise Robinson Hassel – 91.1 Hours

Adam G. Kerr – 120.9 Hours

Jennifer L.J. Koenig – 110.75 Hours

Manisha P. Patel – 118 Hours

Steven A. Scoggan – 118.5 Hours

D. Clark Smith, Jr. – 270.8 Hours

Gerald L. Walden, Jr. – 282 Hours

Herb Falk Society Inductees for 2016

Herb Falk Society Inductees for 2016

Herb Falk Society Inductees for 2016

Herb Falk Society Inductees for 2016

 

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Greensboro Bar Association
24th Judicial District Bar
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Greensboro, NC 27402
(336) 378-0300

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24th Judicial District Bar
PO Box 1825
Greensboro, NC 27402

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