GREENSBORO BAR ASSOCIATION

Memorial Resolution
for
Allen Holt Gwyn

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Greensboro Bar Association at its regularly scheduled meeting on January 18, 2018 that:

WHEREAS, Allen Holt Gwyn died on September 18, 2017, in Greensboro, North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, this Association desires to reflect upon and recognize his outstanding legal career and service to the Bar and the community in general, and the minutes should therefore reflect that:

Allen Holt Gwyn was born on September 11, 1949 and grew up in Winston-Salem in a family proud of its long legacy as native North Carolinians for many generations.

Holt was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Wake Forest University School of Law. Upon graduating from law school Holt moved to Greensboro and joined the office of the United States Attorney, Middle District of North Carolina as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s office, Holt joined the law firm of Falk, Carruthers & Roth, PA in Greensboro as a civil litigation partner. It was there that he began developing his expertise in construction law.  Some years later, he became a partner in the law firm of Patton Boggs, working in its Greensboro office. In 1999, Holt and his long time law partners Richard Conner and Jim Schenck founded the construction law firm of Conner Gwyn Schenck PLLC, with offices in Raleigh and Greensboro.  Holt was generally considered one of the finest construction lawyers in the state and was often called upon to serve as a mediator and arbitrator in commercial disputes.

Holt dedicated his time and effort to numerous civic and professional organizations.  In 1999, Holt was elected as Chair of the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law, the nation’s premiere construction law group, with over 6,000 members.  He was the first North Carolina lawyer to Chair that organization.  In 2014, he was selected as Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Construction Law Section.  Holt also was selected as a Fellow in the American College of Construction Lawyers where he served on its board and as its president.

Holt was also an accomplished writer and teacher.  Holt was co-editor of the treatise entitled North Carolina Construction Law, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Construction Lawyers, and co-editor of the College of Commercial Arbitrators Guide to Best Practices in Commercial Arbitrations.

Holt was a member of the American Bar Association, the North Carolina Bar Association and the Greensboro Bar Association.

He gave generously of his time and talents.  Holt’s pro bono efforts were recognized by his membership in the Herb Falk Society.   Holt also served on numerous local boards including the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, the Eastern Music Festival, Green Hill Center for North Carolina Art and the Cultural Arts Council of Greensboro.  He also served as a member of the Guilford County Volunteers to the Court First Offender Program.

Holt had many abilities and experiences beyond his civic and professional life.  Holt was well travelled and well read.  He was a fine golfer and boat skipper.  He also was a gifted musician and singer frequently performing at local venues and events with his fellow attorney musician, David Niblock of Winston-Salem.

Holt’s life was marked by his keen intellect, integrity, and boundless energy.  Always willing to help others, he was a remarkable mentor for all.  He was a model attorney, citizen and friend.  Those who knew Holt continue to be inspired by his memory to strive for excellence and to better themselves and their communities.

Holt is survived by his wife Beth Boulton of Greensboro, and by a large family.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Greensboro Bar Association, in this duly assembled meeting of its members, does hereby adopt this Resolution to honor and memorialize the life and works of our colleague Allen Holt Gwyn, and directs that this Resolution be made a part of the official records of the Association and that a true copy hereof shall be delivered to Holt’s family in token of the esteem, high regard and enduring affection in which he was held by his friends and colleagues of the Bar.

DONE BY ACCLAMATION at the regularly scheduled meeting of the membership of the Greensboro Bar Association, this the 18^th day of January, 2018.

Sarah H. Roane, President