Smith Moore Leatherwood Welcomes Justice Robert H. Edmunds Jr.
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterSmith Moore Leatherwood LLP is pleased to announce the addition of former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Edmunds Jr. Edmunds will join the firm’s appellate group effective July 1, 2017.
“We are thrilled to have Justice Edmunds joining our practice,” said Matt Leerberg, appellate practice group leader. “Justice Edmunds has a proven dedication to the rule of law and is renowned for his commitment to excellence. Our clients will benefit greatly from his insights into the appellate process and his keen strategic mind. The addition of Justice Edmunds solidifies the Smith Moore Leatherwood appellate team’s place as one of the most respected practices in the state.”
Edmunds served as a Justice on the Supreme Court of North Carolina from 2001 through 2016. Prior to his election to the Supreme Court, he began his legal career as an assistant district attorney in Greensboro, N.C. and later was an assistant united states attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. In 1986, he was appointed United States attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina by President Ronald Reagan and was retained by President George H. W. Bush. Edmunds entered private practice in 1993 and earned the highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. While in private practice, he was board certified as a specialist in state and federal criminal law, and board certified as a specialist in appellate practice. In 1998, he was elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals and served on that court until his election to the Supreme Court.
“I’ve been privileged to serve in various roles across the state over the course of my legal career,” Edmunds said. “I’ve seen first-hand the work of Smith Moore Leatherwood attorneys and know why they enjoy such an outstanding reputation. I’m honored to join them and look forward to working with these talented lawyers to expand the firm’s appellate practice.”
Edmunds serves on various boards and committees and frequently contributes his time to the community. He is a member of the board of directors of BarCares and of the North Carolina Supreme Court Historical Society. He is also an elected member of the American Law Institute. Previously, he has been an adjunct professor at Campbell University School of Law. Edmunds is a member of the Greensboro Rotary Club and has donated blood more than 100 times since college.
Edmunds received his A.B. degree from Vassar College and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Following law school, he served as a line officer in the United States Navy from 1975 to 1977. He later received his Master of Law in the Judicial Process from the University of Virginia School of Law.
Young Lawyers Section: Connections, Sept 2017
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterThis Fall, the Young Lawyers Section has planned several events for its members and the local community. We look forward to catching up with everyone and meeting new members at these upcoming events!
Backpack Beginnings. The Young Lawyers Section is partnering with Backpack Beginnings for our first event to stuff backpacks as part of its Comfort Backpack Program. These backpacks will offer care, comfort and basic necessities, including blankets, stuffed animals, books, hygiene products, school supplies and more. The backpacks will be provided to abused/neglected, homeless, foster, and refugee children in Guilford County. We will be meeting on Thursday, September 14 at 4:30 p.m. at 3707-D Alliance Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407. To RSVP for this event, please email Hillary Kies at [email protected].
Happy Hour. A happy hour at Fat Dog’s Grille and Pub will follow the Backpack Beginnings event on Thursday, September 14 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on the patio. Fat Dog’s Grille and Pub is located on 3021 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro. All YLS members are invited to attend.
Swearing-in Ceremony/Bridge the Gap Program. Please mark your calendars for Friday, October 13, 2017. Our Bridge the Gap Program starts at 9:00 a.m. and provides a great opportunity for new lawyers to tour the Federal, State, and Bankruptcy Courts. Our Swearing-In Ceremony will begin at 3:00 p.m. (Location TBD). We would love for members of the GBA to join us and support our newly licensed attorneys. If you are a newly licensed attorney or you know a newly licensed attorney, please e-mail Kristen Redman at [email protected] to receive the application materials.
Book Buddies. Book Buddies is a volunteer program that YLS created and supports every year. The program pairs lawyers with classrooms at Hampton Elementary. The lawyers read aloud to the class for thirty minutes to an hour. 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. 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 visit our website at www.greensboroyls.org/book-buddies.
Connect with Us. Do you want more information about upcoming YLS events or how you can get involved? Check out our website at www.greensboroyls.org. E-mail Grant Sigmon ([email protected]) to make sure you are on the listserv. Also follow us on Facebook (Greensboro Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section). We look forward to connecting with you!
Join the GBA Young Laywers Section on September 14, 2017, for our first service project and out first networking happy hour of the year!
We will fill backpacks for the children in the Triad at Backpack Beginnings at 4:30 p.m. and will follow up
with an evening of networking and relaxing on the patio of Fat Dog’s Grille and Pub, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Please join us whether you are a new or seasoned Young Lawyer! We want your participation and we want to meet you!
Backpack Beginnings: 3707-D Alliance Drive, Greenboro NC 27407
Fat Dog’s Grille & Pub: 3021 Sprin Garden Street, Greensboro NC 27403
Higgins Benjamin Announces New Partners
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterFrederick L. Berry Joins Firm, Margaret McNairy Chase Becomes Partner
Higgins Benjamin, PLLC, is pleased to announce that Frederick L. (Fred) Berry has joined the firm as a partner. He is a veteran litigator who has secured multi-million- dollar recoveries for his injured clients, and he has been co-lead counsel in significant consumer fraud class actions. Prior to joining the firm, he practiced with Vance Barron, who recently retired. A graduate of Wake Forest University undergraduate and law schools, Fred has taken leadership roles in various organizations including Piedmont Land Conservancy, Summit Rotary, the Greensboro Bar Association, and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. For fun, he is a cowboy, mounted foxhunter, and fly fisherman.
Higgins Benjamin, PLLC, is likewise pleased to announce that Margaret McNairy Chase has become a partner in the firm. Chase, who joined the firm in 2014, is a graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law and received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Furman University. Her practice focuses on Real Estate Law with an emphasis on Homeowner and Condominium Associations. Today, Chase provides counsel and legal advice to over 240 community associations throughout North Carolina. A Greensboro native, Margaret graduated from Page High School and remains active in the local community, having held positions in various local civic groups, including First Presbyterian Church, the Greensboro Rotary Club, Greensboro Bar Association, the Junior League and Morehead Elementary PTA. Margaret has mentored Elon Law School students, worked in the Governor’s Office, and is a graduate of Leadership Greensboro.
Established in 2002, Higgins Benjamin has a reputation for generating favorable results for their clients throughout North Carolina. The firm’s practice areas include appeals, bankruptcy, commercial litigation, complex civil litigation, corporate, employment, homeowner’s associations, intellectual property, estate planning and administration, family law, real estate and more. With fifteen attorneys and a full support staff, the firm offers clients a high level of service in providing comprehensive legal solutions to even the most complex legal matters. The firm is located in the heart of downtown Greensboro at 301 North Elm Street. For more information, please visit the firm’s web site: www.greensborolaw.com.
Greensboro Bar Association 2017-18 Officers and Board of Directors
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterGreensboro Bar Association
2017-18 Officers & Board of Directors
Office |
Name |
Email/Phone |
President |
Sarah H. Roane |
336-332-6128 |
President-Elect |
Hon. Teresa Vincent |
336-412-7800 |
Immediate Past President |
Kenneth R. Keller |
336-478-1125 |
Secretary |
Chelsea E. Anderson |
336-333-7907 |
Treasurer |
Desmond G. Sheridan |
336-609-5135 |
Director (2018) |
Thomas D. Carruthers |
336-373-2320 |
Director (2018) |
Abigail E. Peoples |
336-275-6003 |
Director (2018) |
Robert J. King, III |
336-373-8850 |
Director (2019) |
Nicholas J. Bakatsias |
336-478-1121 |
Director (2019) |
Hon. William B. Davis |
336-209-3902 |
Director (2019) |
Kimberly B. Gatling |
336-378-5356 |
Director (2020) |
Gerald L. Walden, Jr. |
336-217-4636 |
Director (2020) |
Lisa W. Arthur |
336-378-5318 |
Director (2020) |
Frederick L. Berry |
336-273-1600 |
Committee Chairs
Awards and Recognitions |
Erwin Fuller |
336-271-3106 |
CLE/Collquium |
Bob King |
336-373-8850 |
Desmond Sheridan |
336-609-5135 |
|
Community Involvement |
Melissa Duncan |
336-279-9256 |
Hon. Teresa Vincent |
336-412-7800 |
|
Elon Liaison |
Jennifer Mencarini |
336-279-9254 |
Elementary School Project |
Erin Reis |
336-851-8066 |
Adam Kerr |
336-500-7599 |
|
Health & Wellness |
Martha Peddrick |
336-574-9720 |
Bill Davis |
336-209-3902 |
|
Herb Falk Society |
Eric Richardson |
336-274-4494 |
History and Archives |
Mark Gaylord |
336-273-1797 |
Larry Moore |
336-282-6094 |
|
Holiday Party |
Lisa Arthur |
336-378-5318 |
Kim Gatling |
336-378-5356 |
|
Legal Aid Fundraiser |
Johnna Herron |
336-412-7777 |
Membership, |
Ames Chamberlin |
336-272-6867 |
Molly Hilburn-Holte |
336-412-7777 |
|
Memorials |
Richard Gabriel |
336-275-9381 |
Newsletter |
Clayton Krohn |
336-282-4191 |
Nominating |
Ken Keller |
336-478-1125 |
Public Relations |
Kelly Walker |
336-274-4494 |
Second Chance Project |
Pat Kane |
336-378-5200 |
Tom Carruthers |
336-373-2320 |
|
High Point Bar Liaison |
Allie Petrova |
336-310-1210 |
Section Heads
Family Law Section |
Sarah L. Kettles |
336-274-7898 |
Real Property |
Desmond G. Sheridan |
336-609-5135 |
Young Lawyers |
J. Grant Sigmon |
336-273-6323 |
Office
Administrator |
Diane Lowe |
336-378-0300 |
Ward Black Law Attorney Manisha Patel Appointed Vice President of NCAWA
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterFamily 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.
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
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterThe 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
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterThanks 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 [email protected]t if you have any questions.
Stell: Is Avvo a Magic Bullet for Building a 21st Century Law Practice?
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterNC 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 [email protected].
We Need You to be a Book Buddy
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterDo 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.”
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 [email protected].
COUNT ME IN FOR 2017-18 COMMITTEE SERVICE
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterIf 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
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterGreetings 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
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterThe 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.
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
/0 Comments/in Newsletter, Old Newsletter Articles /by Greensboro NewsletterSmith 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.
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.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by the Greensboro Bar Association and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, members, legal professions featured or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
Find Us
Physical Address:
Greensboro Bar Association
24th Judicial District Bar
122 North Elm Street, Suite 805
Greensboro, NC 27402
(336) 378-0300
Mailing Address:
Greensboro Bar Association
24th Judicial District Bar
PO Box 1825
Greensboro, NC 27402