Message from the President, Nov 2016

November will be a busy month with a Special Session of the Court of Appeals here in Greensboro, commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of the District Court Division of the General Court of Justice, re-establishment of our local Fee Dispute Resolution Committee, and commencement of our Habitat for Humanity House project.

On November 30, together with the High Point Bar, we will host a Special Session of the North Carolina Court of Appeals to recognize our own recently appointed Judge Wendy Enochs. Members of the Bars, law students, and the general public are invited to attend. The session will be held in the old Superior Court Room (present Commissioners Room) of the Old Courthouse, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The three Judge Panel will hear formal arguments on two cases. Following arguments, the panel will take questions from those in attendance. There will be a social at 4:30 p.m.

The November 17 member meeting will be a joint meeting with the High Point Bar to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the District Court Division. Chief District Court Judge Jarrell and colleagues from the District Court Bench will present a program including valuable information to help us practice in their various courts.

I am pleased to report that we received a huge response to our request for volunteers to serve on the 18th Judicial District Bar Fee Dispute Resolution Committee. Typically, clients contact the State Bar on fee disputes either incident to a perceived grievance or after they receive from their attorney the written notice required by Rule 1.5(f) of the Revised Rules of Professional Conduct prior to initiating legal proceedings to collect a fee. If the State Bar feels the matter is appropriate for the Fee Dispute Resolution Process, the client’s petition is forwarded to our local chair for further handling. Jeff Oleynik (336.271.3182; joleynik@brookspierce.com) has agreed to chair the committee. Although fee disputes can be handled at either the State Bar or local level, a significant difference is that on the local level (in addition to free mediation), our committee is authorized to offer binding arbitration as an option if both parties agree.

Finally, we will be requesting financial contributions and commitments to help build our eighth Habitat for Humanity House. Bill Cooke (336.272.4514; wocjr@bellsouth.net) and Nancy Ferguson (336.665.1314; nancy.ferguson@ctt.com) have graciously agreed to co-chair these efforts. If you are willing to contribute, volunteer, handle sign-ups for your office or help solicit others to contribute and/or volunteer, please contact either Bill or Nancy. This is a great project that allows us a unique opportunity to develop relationships with members of our Bar who we would not otherwise work with, while at the same time benefiting the purchaser of the home and the community.