A Judicial Nominee Special Joint Meeting of the 18th Judicial District Bar and the 18-H Judicial District Bars will be held on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 at 3:30 PM in the ballroom of the High Point Country Club, 800 Country Club Drive, High Point, NC 27262.
More Information & Candidate Profiles
GREENSBORO BAR ASSOCIATION
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 18th day of January, 2018.
Sarah H. Roane, President
We encourage members of the Greensboro Bar Association to bring at least one nonmember to the Mix and Mingle membership social scheduled for March 8, 2018 at Joymonger’s. It’s great opportunity to enjoy fellowship with your colleagues, and learn more about all of the benefits that come with being a Greensboro Bar Association member.
Neale T. Johnson
Smith Moore Leatherwood Partner Neale T. Johnson has been selected chair-elect of the Subcontractors and Suppliers Division of the American Bar Association (ABA) Forum on Construction Law. His term as chair begins in September 2018.
Johnson’s practice focuses on construction law (transactional and dispute resolution), real estate litigation, financial services litigation and general commercial litigation.
He assists owners, designers, general contractors and trade contractors with contract negotiation, dispute avoidance and dispute resolution. Johnson leverages more than 15 years of construction litigation experience to help clients identify and allocate business risks during contract negotiation to reduce conflict during the project. His experience in construction litigation and alternative dispute resolution includes the full range of public and private construction disputes.
The ABA Forum on Construction Law is the largest organization of construction lawyers in the United States. The Forum’s roughly 6,000 members and associates are drawn from all types of construction practice – law firms large and small, solo practitioners, in-house and government counsel, as well as construction professionals and the public sector. Forum members represent all segments of the construction industry: owners, developers, design professionals, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, construction managers, lenders, insurers and sureties.
Higgins Benjamin, PLLC, is pleased to announce that three of the firm’s attorneys were recognized in the 2018 North Carolina Super Lawyers magazine for their professional achievement recognized by their peers. Super Lawyers is an independent lawyer-ranking service that selects attorneys using a rigorous, multi-phase rating process. Through peer nominations, evaluations, and third-party research, exceptional attorneys are selected within each state.
Gilbert J. Andia Jr. was selected in the area of Civil Litigation: Defense; Kenneth J. Gumbiner was selected for Business Litigation; and Jonathan Wall was selected for Employment Litigation: Plaintiff. Higgins Benjamin, PLLC is a general practice law firm located in downtown Greensboro.
Brooks Pierce attorney Sarah Saint has been elected to the board of directors for the North Star LGBTQ Community Center.
The North Star LGBTQ Community Center focuses on encouraging a sense of community across diverse identities through advocacy, compassion, education and service. It is committed to providing educational, social and collaborative activities for LGBTQ youth, adults and families in the Triad.
Saint focuses her practice on representing school boards, educational institutions, teachers, administrators and students in a diverse range of education law issues. She also represents businesses in various industries as they seek to resolve disputes, litigating in state and federal court when necessary. She holds a master’s degree in school counseling and has served public school students in a variety of capacities. In 2017, she received the North Carolina State Bar Student Pro Bono Service Award as well as the American Bar Association and Bloomberg BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law. Saint has also worked with the annual Winston-‐Salem Pride Festival and Parade since 2016.
The Honorable Robert H. Edmunds Jr.
Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP is pleased to announce that The Honorable Robert H. Edmunds Jr. recently has been certified to conduct settlement conferences in Superior Court civil actions by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission (DRC). As a Superior Court mediator, Edmunds will draw on his extensive experience in the public and private sectors to assist disputing parties in reaching a mutually-satisfactory resolution of the issues that divide them.
With 16 years of experience as an elected North Carolina Supreme Court Justice and two years as an elected judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, Edmunds will offer a unique perspective as a mediator. He was also appointed by the President of the United States to U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. Throughout his career, Edmunds has litigated more than 100 jury trials to verdict.
Edmunds now practices with Smith Moore Leatherwood’s Appellate Group, where he applies his extensive knowledge to serve the firm’s clients with the same dedication that he demonstrated over many years as a public servant. He is board certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a specialist in state and federal criminal law and in appellate practice.
Blood Drive
Give the gift from the heart! Save lives by donating blood!
To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org
and key sponsor code: GBA.
Questions? Contact Diane Lowe at jd18gba@greensborobar.org.
Appointments are encouraged.
Walk-ins welcome. Bring a photo ID.
Mark York
Carruthers & Roth, P.A. announced that attorney Mark York has been named a director at the firm effective January 1, 2018.
Mark is a member of the Carruthers & Roth commercial litigation team and is experienced in advocating for clients in a wide range of business, shareholder, commercial, construction and employment disputes, as well as other general litigation matters.
Previously Mark served in the U.S. Army for twenty years, fourteen of those years as part of an elite special operations team conducting high-risk missions throughout the world. It was an experience that taught him how to unravel complex problems and to make smart, well-informed decisions under tough conditions.
“Mark brings those same problem-solving skills to his work at Carruthers & Roth,” said Kenneth Keller, managing director of Carruthers & Roth, P.A. “We look forward to his continued leadership on behalf of both our clients and colleagues.”
Mark graduated magna cum lade from the Elon University School of Law, where he was named the inaugural McMichael Law and Leadership Fellow. He was recently named to the 2018 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession.
Martha T. Peddrick received the award presented by her law partner Davis McDonald
The 2017 Centennial Award for outstanding and exemplary community service was presented to Martha T. Peddrick at the GBA member meeting on February 15, 2018. Martha is a Board Certified Specialist in Estate Planning with Johnson Peddrick & McDonald, PLLC. Her community service in North Carolina began with the founding of The Rape Crisis Center and Clara’s House. Her extensive work with non-profit organizations includes Board of Directors service to the Carolina Theater, Friends You Can Count On (now known as Friends for an Earlier Breast Cancer Test), Greensboro Day School, the Women’s Professional Forum, and the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, working diligently on its Tanger Performing Arts Center project. She has been active at Elon Law School where she has served as a preceptor for first year law students. And of course, Martha has been an active board member of our own Greensboro Bar Association, serving as Treasurer from 2009 to 2012 and as a member of the Board through 2016. Since 2015 she has chaired the Health and Wellness Committee of the Greensboro Bar Association so she has had the task of planning and implementing our annual Blood Drive. We are pleased to recognize Martha for her service to our community.
The Pro Bono Board at Elon University School of Law will host its annual Ask a Lawyer Day at the law school on Saturday, April 21 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. GBA members are invited to join Elon Law students to serve members of the Greensboro community who are in need of free legal assistance. Practice areas needed are family law (including domestic violence), public benefits, housing issues, foreclosure, and employment. To confirm your participation, please send an email to probono@elon.edu by March 30. Please indicate your practice area(s) and whether you would like to volunteer from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., or 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
In 2017, Lawyers Mutual celebrated 40 years of providing insurance coverage to North Carolina lawyers.
I often meet lawyers who are proud to tell me their personal story of how they helped to form Lawyers Mutual. In 1977, a call went out from the NC Bar Association asking the lawyers in our state to contribute $1 million dollars to create the first lawyer owned insurance company in the country. Nearly everyone answered the call. Whether they wrote a check they could barely afford, or they put their initial payment on a credit card, 1,623 lawyers collected $947,780.
The loyalty these initial investors have towards our Company is both gratifying and humbling.
Today, Lawyers Mutual insures 8,000 North Carolina lawyers. Lawyers are connected to us because they are our insureds, they serve on our defense panel, they serve on our Board of Directors and our Community Boards, they speak at our CLE programs and write articles for our newsletter. North Carolina lawyers are our family.
The people who work at Lawyers Mutual are our family, as well. We have employees who have worked with us for more than 30 years. Our people are passionate about our insureds. They take care of them as though they are family.
We are lucky to partner with bar associations across the state. All thirteen lawyers who work for Lawyers Mutual and Lawyers Insurance Agency are members of various bar associations and many serve in leadership positions, in other areas of service, write content for bar newsletters, and serve as CLE speakers.
You may know that we have a staff of 7 claims attorneys in our office. They spend much of their time not handling cases filed against our insured attorneys, but providing proactive advice to our insureds. If you have questions, you have a difficult client and need some advice, you have ethics concerns or you are concerned that you have made a mistake, our claims attorneys stand ready to assist you.
We also provide advice and consultation through our Client Services department. We provide advice about practice management issues and business development and marketing concerns. We offer a free 3-hour CLE for our insureds each year. Our website has many risk management resources, including practice guides, articles, and a Lending Library. We communicate with law students through our virtual Student Resource Center. Law students visit on Twitter @LM_SRC and everyone visit us @LawyersMutualNC, connect with us on LinkedIn and “like” our Facebook page, Lawyers Mutual NC.
We are especially proud of our blog, A Byte of Prevention. While we had more than 101,000 visitors to our website in 2017, more than 70% go directly to our blog (or risk management articles), where we post daily. http://www.lawyersmutualnc.com/blog
Lawyers Mutual also owns Lawyers Insurance, a subsidiary company that offers all other types of insurance such as health, life, disability, business owners policies, crime, cyber, as well as providing structured settlements. You can learn more about Lawyers Insurance by visiting their website from a link on our home page or via http://www.lawyersinsuranceagency.com/ .
The practice of law is not for the faint of heart. A support system can make all the difference in overcoming obstacles, finding solutions, and achieving success. Lawyers Mutual has made it our mission to serve as your support. We are “lawyers helping lawyers”.
Camille Stell is the Vice President of Client Services for Lawyers Mutual. Keep the conversation going by reaching out to
Camille at 800.662.8843 or Camille@lawyersmutualnc.com.
Jason Pruett
Black, Slaughter, & Black, P.A.
James H. Slaughter
Cheryl Hairston
Cheryl J. Hairston
Hon. Teresa H. Vincent
Katherine Torrance
Katherine A. Torrance, Attorney at Law
Justin R. Ervin, III
Christopher Hampton
Nexsen Pruet, PLLC
James W. Bryan
Audrey Snyder
Ward Black Law
Manisha P. Patel
Volunteers are needed to serve food to the less fortunate at the Urban Ministry’s Potter’s House.
Shifts are from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
This is a great opportunity to give back to the community in the company of fellow members of the bar. We need help on the following Sundays:
Please email Melissa Duncan at mduncan6@elon.edu if you are able to help. Write POTTER’S HOUSE in the subject line.
Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay. A lawyer should aspire to render at least (50) hours of pro bono publico legal services per year.
North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 6.1 “Voluntary Pro Bono Publico Service”
The goal for each North Carolina lawyer to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services per year constitutes one of our most important responsibilities as members of the Bar. Although most of us probably envision pro bono service as representation of an individual of limited financial means in a matter involving some form of court proceeding, Rule 6.1 actually covers a much broader range of pro bono activities. Also included within the scope of the Rule are:
representation of non-profit and governmental organizations in matters that are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means;
representation of individuals or organizations seeking to secure or protect civil rights, or non-profit and governmental organizations in matters in furtherance of their organizational purposes, where the payment of standard legal fees would significantly deplete the organization’s economic resources;
participation in activities for improving the law, the legal system or the legal profession, such as serving on bar association committees, serving on boards of pro bono or legal services organizations, taking part in Law Day activities, acting as a CLE instructor, mediator, or arbitrator, providing free training or mentoring to those who represent persons of limited means, and engaging in legislative lobbying and administrative rule making;
acceptance of court appointments in which the fee is substantially below a lawyer’s usual rate; and
voluntary contribution of financial support to organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.
The Greensboro Bar Association has an impressive track record with regard to pro bono service. Our members donate very generously every year to the Legal Aid Fundraiser, and this year’s event was no exception. At this month’s member meeting on Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. in the Empire Room, we will induct into the Herb Falk Society members of the GBA who have provided at least 75 hours of pro bono service in the past year.
Yet, despite the generosity of our members, many critical legal needs remain unmet. In that regard, I have invited Sylvia Novinsky, Director of the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center, to be our featured speaker at this month’s member meeting. The North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission launched the Pro Bono Resource Center in April of 2016, and it remains one of only a handful of statewide pro bono resource centers in the country. The Center’s website, www.ncprobono.org, highlights over 30 different opportunities for lawyers to take on pro bono service, ranging from assisting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking to providing free legal services related to starting or expanding a business or completing a patent application to low-wealth entrepreneurs and inventors.
Appearing with Ms. Novinsky will be Lauren Jeffries, Executive Financial Director of Gate City Legal Services, Inc. Gate City Legal Services is a brand new non-profit legal services organization dedicated to providing low-cost representation in criminal, family, immigration, estates, landlord-tenant, and consumer law matters to individuals whose income falls in a range too high to qualify for Legal Aid and Public Defender services but too low to afford standard legal fees.
I hope to see many of you at this meeting, and encourage you to stand on that podium a year from now to be inducted into the Herb Falk Society.
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.
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
