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This Year’s Elementary School Book Project Another Great Success

December 27, 2019/in January 2020

On December 18, 2019, a group of volunteers from the GBA delivered holiday cheer and more than 200 well-wrapped books to the K-5 students in the Traditional English program at David D. Jones Elementary School.  As always, the children were happy and excited to receive their gifts.  As in years past, the books were purchased through Jones Elementary’s Scholastic Book Fair, which provides the school with points that can be used to purchase new books for the school library and classrooms.  Thanks go to the GBA members who donated this year to reach a total of $2,958.61 and to those who took the time and care to wrap the books at the GBA Holiday Party on December 11.  Sufficient funds were raised to purchase additional books as gifts for all fifth graders graduating from Jones Elementary this year in both the Traditional English and Spanish Immersion programs as well as to make a donation to the school’s Food Bank.

The GBA would like to thank the following individuals and groups for their generosity in donating to the annual Elementary School Project:

Michael R. Abel

Sharon K. Allen

Charlene V. Armstrong

Joseph R. Beatty

Corinne Berry

Carruthers & Roth, P.A.

Barbara Christy

Sabrina Clark

Sally B. Cone

Hon. Tonia Cutchin

Kearns Davis

Robert D. Douglas III

Pam and Alan Duncan

Hon. Catherine Eagles

Floyd & Jacobs

Miriam Forbis

Erwin Fuller

Ashleigh Greene

Allison Grimm

Melanie Hamilton

Terrill Harris

Hon. A. Robinson Hassell

Richard H. Hicks

Afi Johnson-Parris

Sharon A. Johnston

Ken Keller

Adam Kerr

Beth Langley

Sue Liemer

Diane Lowe

Art MacCord

Ronald Mack

Henry B. Mangum, Jr.

Matthew L. Mason

Emily Melvin

Jennifer Mencarini

Barbara Morgenstern

Allison Mullins

Martha Peddrick

Abigail Peoples

David Puryear

Elizabeth Ray

Erin Reis

Eric Richardson

Steve Schlosser

Polly D. Sizemore

Michele Smith

Donald K. Speckhard

Frank Sutherland

Jennifer Van Zant

Theodora A. Vaporis

Samantha Varney

Hon. Teresa H. Vincent

Gerald Walden

Jeri L. Whitfield

Bob Wicker

Douglas E. Wright

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Elon Law Annual MLK, Jr. Lecture

December 27, 2019/in January 2020

People of Conviction: A Lawyer’s Obligation

January 22, 2020

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm

Elon University School of Law

201 N. Greene Street

Greensboro, NC 27401

David Morrow ‘07 L’10, an experienced speaker on issues of diversity in the legal profession and inaugural Director of the ABA’s Men of Color Project, will present Elon Law’s annual MLK, Jr. lecture. He will address the struggle of civil rights and the pursuit of racial equality in the U.S. considering the significant contributions of lawyers. Attorney Morrow will discuss the role and impact of the many lawyers that served Dr. King during his lifetime and the valuable lessons in leadership and service that can be learned from these great examples of lawyer-leaders.

The local legal community is invited.

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GBA Annual CLE: February 20, 2020

December 27, 2019/in January 2020

Mark your calendars for the GBA Annual CLE! Come learn about the latest developments in technology and data privacy law.  Our speakers are as follows:

Marc Tucker, Fox Rothschild,
Cybersecurity and Data Breach
(Ethics Requirement)

Patrick Brown, Lawyers Mutual, Technology Solutions (“Cybersecurity without breaking the bank”) and Fraud Risks (Technology Requirement)

Judge Osteen, Judge Cubbage and Judge Burch, Judges’ Panel on the Do’s and Don’ts of Technology Use in the Courtroom

Mat Sandifer, LCSW, LCAS,
Technology Addiction and Remedies (Substance Abuse Requirement)

Brian Groesser, Midkiff, Muncie & Ross, Electronic Evidence

The CLE will be from 1:00-5:25 p.m. at the Starmount Country Club so that members can enjoy the CLE and stay after for our February meeting. The cost of the CLE is $100 for GBA Members.  Registration information will follow as we get closer to February 20.  You don’t want to miss this!

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Sponsor the Legal Aid of North Carolina Fundraiser

December 27, 2019/in January 2020

LANC Fundraiser

Levels of Sponsorship:

Platinum Sponsorship $2,000

  • 8 Tickets
  • All of the below +
  • Sponsorship announced at the event

Gold Sponsorship $1,000

  • 6 Tickets
  • All of the below +
  • Company Logo displayed on table cards at the event

Silver Sponsorship $500

  • 4 Tickets
  • All of the below +
  • Company Logo included on promotional material

Bronze Sponsorship $250

  • 2 Tickets
  • Company name included in sponsors list on promotional material

 

**Please supply names of ticket holders to Diane Lowe

at admin@greensborobar.org on or before March 13, 2020

Company/Name:_______________________________

Contact Person:________________________________

Address:_____________________________________

Phone:  (_______)  ____________________________

For more information, please contact
Ashleigh Greene at AGreene@nexsenpruet.com

Checks made payable to the Greensboro Bar Association Foundation
can be mailed to: Greensboro Bar Association Foundation
Attn: Diane Lowe
P.O. Box 1825
Greensboro, NC 27402

 

Download Printable Form (JPG)

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Wellness Corner

December 27, 2019/in January 2020
Wellness Corner

Judge Osteen, Jr. is pictured at the far right end of the front row – at an Orangetheory Fitness class

GBA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

The Honorable William Lindsay Osteen, Jr.

As a Greensboro native, District Judge William L. Osteen, Jr. was born and spent the early years of his life in one of the most historically-significant times in our country’s history—the civil rights movement.  With a strong passion for serving others, he received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and went on to pursue a legal career, receiving his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1987.

After nearly 20 years as a private practice attorney, Judge Osteen was nominated to the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina in early 2007 and served as the Chief Judge of the court from 2012 to 2017.  In his professional capacity, Judge Osteen has heard hundreds of cases and has served the residents of North Carolina with the utmost integrity and honor.  Although Judge Osteen has deeply familiarized himself with the duties of being on the bench, he is also no stranger to the bench press!

In his spare time, Your Honor is dedicated to keeping himself active and pursuing a healthy lifestyle through fitness.  With a love for the outdoors as well, Judge Osteen frequently travels the states of North Carolina and Virginia as a fishing and hunting enthusiast, and enjoys the thrill of both small and large game hunting.  Your Honor strives to commit five days out of the week to staying active, whether it’s hitting the gym or participating in group fitness classes—and he does it with a smile!  With commitment like Judge Osteen’s, you too can be the judge of your healthy future!

Jonathan M. Parisi,
Connors Morgan, PLLC

 

The 12 Days of Exercise Challenge

This applies after the holidays for getting off the extra pounds!
– GBA Health and Wellness Committee

12 days of fitness

 

Boost your serotonin.

Boost your mood.

With sunlight, exercise, and diet.

Allie Petrova,
Editor

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Young Lawyers Section: Connections

December 27, 2019/in January 2020

Andrew Steffensen
is President of the Greensboro Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section
and is an attorney with Schell Bray PLLC.

Happy New Year! The Young Lawyers Section is so excited for the new year and for your participation in 2020.  We look forward to celebrating with all of our members!

Lawyers and the Rule of Law Event

On January 16, 2020, the Young Lawyers Section is sponsoring a networking and educational event discussing lawyers and the rule of law. The event will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Room 207 of Elon Law School.

The rule of law is a hot topic, but it is also part of the fabric of our society.  What is it?  Why is it so important?  Do attorneys have a role to play in promoting the rule of law?  Join us for a conversation with Dr. Gerald Postema, Professor Emeritus of philosophy at UNC Chapel Hill, and Kearns Davis, former president of the North Carolina Bar Association.  Dr. Postema will elaborate on the value of the rule of law and the role attorneys can play in strengthening it.  Mr. Davis will share reflections on the rule of law from his experience as head of the North Carolina Bar Association Delegation to Haiti.  Hors d’ouevres and beverages will be provided.  Elon Law students and attorneys are encouraged to attend.  Please RSVP by January 10 to Patrick Lineberry (patrick.lineberry@forrestfirm.com) and Andrew Steffensen (asteffensen@schellbray.com).

Kickoff Party

The Young Lawyers Section will be hosting its annual kickoff party in January. Please check the Young Lawyers Section Facebook page and keep an eye on your inbox for details!   

Lunch Event

In January the Young Lawyers Section will host its first lunch event of 2020. The date, time, and place will be announced on the Young Lawyers Section Facebook page and emailed out to all members of the Young Law Section. Please come out and join us!

Connect With Us

Do you want more information about upcoming Young Lawyers Section events or how you can get involved? Visit our website at www.greensboroyls.org, email Andrew Steffensen (asteffensen@schellbray.com) to make sure you are on the listserv, and follow us on Facebook (Greensboro Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section). If you missed the opportunity to connect with the Young Lawyers Section during 2019, we hope to see you at one of our January events!

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Stell: A Sabbatical is Good for the Soul

December 27, 2019/in January 2020

Camille Stell
is President and CEO of Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or 800.662.8843.

It is widely believed that Harvard University was the first institution of any kind in the U.S. to offer a system of sabbatical leave when it established a program for faculty in 1880.

McDonald’s USA is reportedly the first corporation to offer a sabbatical program, which it began in 1977.

While sabbatical details vary from company to company, research suggests an upward trend in sabbaticals is due to two primary factors. The Harvard Business Review says, “Sabbaticals and extended vacation time are not just good for employees to rest and recharge – they benefit the organization by stress-testing the organizational chart and providing interim roles to allow aspiring employees to take on more leadership.”

The same article reports that most research done on the effect of sabbaticals has been conducted by studying professors in academic settings; however, the results should be considered by those outside of academia as well.

One study compared 129 university professors who took a sabbatical versus equally qualified professors who elected not to take a sabbatical. Both groups were surveyed before, during, and after the sabbatical to assess stress levels, psychological resources, and life satisfaction. The research found that those who had experienced the sabbatical reported a decline in stress and an increase in psychological resources as well as overall life well-being. Even more importantly, these positive changes remained long after the professors returned to campus life, suggesting that not only do the employees benefit from the time away, but also the organization benefits from the well-rounded health of the employee upon return.

Lawyers Mutual Sabbatical Policy

In 2019, Lawyers Mutual implemented a sabbatical policy. Each eligible employee is allowed four weeks paid sabbatical time, with the ability to add one week of earned vacation to the time off. The employee commits to staying two years after the sabbatical or they must repay the company the cost of the time off. An important component of the policy is that one week of sabbatical leave must be devoted to professional development or service to the community.

My Sabbatical

My sabbatical began in late September. I spent three days in leadership training at the Biltmore Center for Professional Development. While the content and classes were exceptional, the experience of extended time on the Biltmore property felt in line with the concept of sabbatical refreshment, including beautiful mountain scenery, time spent in nature, and time spent in solitude away from the demands of both office and home. Once I returned home, I spent two days volunteering at a local thrift store where all proceeds benefit victims of domestic violence.

The big finale to my sabbatical was a trip to Italy. My husband and I traveled with a Meredith College alumnae group to Florence and Tuscany for 11 days, which included cooking school in Tuscany.  It was our first trip to Italy and the perfect sabbatical trip, both educational and restorative.

Managing the Work

Preparation to be out of the office for a vacation or conference requires plenty of planning. Preparing to be out for five weeks required planning on steroids. However, everyone in my circle went out of their way to assist. I had clients who wanted to get on my calendar, and we were able to schedule a date before the sabbatical, leaving me with a quick turnaround on their work product. They were very accommodating. I was able to meet the deadline and I offered to be available during my time off if they had immediate needs. However, they respected the schedule and waited until I returned for follow-up.

My work colleagues Sharon Sparrow and Mark Scruggs lightened my load as well. Sharon assisted by monitoring my phone calls, email, snail mail and calendar requests. Mark agreed to handle phone calls from clients and potential clients. Knowing I had support in the office made it much easier to be away. Having their assistance also made re-entry easier knowing I wasn’t going to find a client who felt forgotten.

Benefits of Sabbatical

One purpose of a sabbatical is to be relieved of regular duties in order to focus on things outside the normal routine. In the academic world, a sabbatical from teaching might find the professor traveling for research or completing a large writing project. In academia, the sabbatical may be months or even a year long. However, in a five-week period, I did not set such a lofty goal as to author a book. My focus was on personal rejuvenation. I wasn’t tired of work or worn down in any way. After all, I’m still within the 18-month mark of starting a new venture with Lawyers Mutual Consulting. However, I am wearied by having an electronic device attached to me at all times, being available by phone, text or email to work colleagues, clients or potential clients at all times, and being in an outward-facing job that requires evening and weekend commitments. These are not complaints, just the realities of professional life in the 21st century.

Stepping away from these commitments felt freeing. Using my phone as a camera rather than a constant mode of communication was liberating. And spending a week in a Tuscan medieval, walled city built in the 14th century was glorious.

Application for You

Too often in law, we live unbalanced lives with more attention on our professional pursuits and serving client needs than taking care of ourselves. By viewing the sabbatical as an investment in ourselves, our employees, as well as our organizations, it might be easier to contemplate adding a sabbatical as a benefit.

Based on research, as well as my personal experience, no matter your firm or organization size, a sabbatical is an experience that will benefit your employees as well as your organization.

Camille Stell is the President of Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualconsulting.com or 800.662.8843.

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New Members Approved on December 11, 2019

December 27, 2019/in January 2020

Elliot C. Clark-Farnell
Guilford Public Defender
Endorser: Richard W. Wells

Sara M. Farnsworth
Endorser: Patrick Lineberry

John Hall Francis Greenbacker
J.E. Greenbacker & Son, PLLC
Endorser: Nicholas A. Spivey

Holly Oner
Legal Aid of NC
Endorser: Stephen E. Robertson

Gregory K. Sigmon
Unifi, Inc.
Endorser: J. Grant Sigmon

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Volunteer at Potter’s House

December 27, 2019/in January 2020

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 on the following Sundays:

January 19, 2020

April 19, 2020

February 16, 2020

May 17, 2020

March 15, 2020

This is a great opportunity to give back to the community in the company of fellow bar members.

Please email Molly Hilburn-Holte at molly@erlaw-nc.com if you are able to help. Write POTTER’S HOUSE in the subject line.

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January 2020 Calendar Notes

December 27, 2019/in January 2020

January 8 – Board Meeting, 4:00 PM, Self Help Building

January 15 – YLS Board Meeting, 12:00 PM, Schell Bray

January 16 – Member Meeting, 12:30 PM, Greensboro Country Club

January 16 – YLS Rule of Law Discussion and Networking, 5:00 PM, Elon Law School, Room 207

January 19 – Potter’s House, 9:00 AM, 305 West Gate City Boulevard

January 20 – Submission Deadline for February Newsletter

Click to keep up with GBA Events Online

Click Here for Legal Community Events

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Message from the President, January 2020

December 27, 2019/in January 2020
Eric A. Richardson President, Greensboro Bar Association

Eric A. Richardson
President, Greensboro Bar Association

Happy New Year, members!  Let’s talk about resolutions!  What do you have planned for 2020?  For example, is a new diet or physical fitness program in order?  Or, perhaps, a donation to a worthy cause?  But maybe your health is in a good place or your finances are tight at the moment.  If you are struggling with ideas for a New Year’s Resolution, how about some inspiration?

If you are a sports fan, you may have noticed recently that college football Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow from LSU used his acceptance speech to highlight poverty.  Among other things, he said, “… I’m up here for all those kids in Athens and Athens County (Ohio) that go home to not a lot of food on the table…. You guys can be up here too.”  That speech inspired more than $150,000 in donations to a food pantry in his Ohio hometown.  Or maybe you recall how Nathan Bain’s buzzer beater on November 26, 2019, took Stephen F. Austin over No. 1 ranked Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium and then led to over $125,000 in donations to a GoFundMe campaign to benefit Bain’s family from Freeport who lost everything in Hurricane Dorian.    

You may not have the platform that these star athletes had, but most of us have time.  One goal that all Greensboro Bar Association lawyers should incorporate into their business plan for 2020 is a commitment to Pro Bono Service.  Rule 6.1 of our Rules of Professional Conduct states quite clearly that “every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay.”  Some lawyers already work in a field that is, by definition, public service.  And others already give generously of their time to community or civic organizations.  Despite these leaders, our disadvantaged community continues to be underserved with legal services.  And in case you haven’t re-visited Rule 6.1 recently, the rule sets an aspiration for all lawyers to render at least 50 hours of pro bono legal services per year.  Are you aspiring to this goal?

One goal that all Greensboro Bar Association lawyers should incorporate into their business plan for 2020 is a commitment to Pro Bono Service.

The Greensboro Bar Association believed this service goal was so important that we created the Herb Falk Society to recognize members who exceed the aspirational goal of 50 hours, and instead log at least 75 hours of Rule 6.1 pro bono legal services annually.  And while we recognize several of our colleagues for meeting this goal each year, I wonder why we don’t have more.  I suspect it’s not that we don’t have attorneys meeting this goal.  Instead, I believe some choose not to seek this recognition.  Regardless of the reason, I encourage all to seek membership in our Herb Falk Society because like Joe Burrow and Nathan Bain, sometimes gaining a recognition highlights a worthy cause or a community need in a way that inspires others to do the same.

Where does one go to identify pro bono legal service opportunities?  Our local legal aid office regularly refers cases to the private bar.  We also have “Ask a Lawyer” days where lawyers can answer call-in questions without compensation.  The ABA and the NC Bar Foundation combined to create “Free Legal Answers,” where bar members can answer legal questions in the comfort of their home or office with little obligation beyond the initial assistance.  Go to nc.freelegalanswers.org to find out more about this simple but beneficial program.  The Greensboro Women’s Resource Center regularly needs lawyers to field calls on their hotline.  And there are many more.  We even attempt to include pro bono service opportunities in our newsletter each month.  If you are aware of any such community needs, please contact Manisha Patel who is heading up our effort to keep the bar aware of these opportunities.   

Understanding that the need for lawyers to provide pro bono legal services is significant and that the opportunities to do so are plentiful, I hope you will resolve to continue providing pro bono legal services in 2020, or use this year to begin a commitment to the aspirational goal of Rule 6.1.  If you do, you might find that the life that is changed by that experience is your own.   

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Pro Bono News for December 2019

December 1, 2019/in December 2019

“Members of North Carolina’s legal profession are in a unique position to do what is right and good for the people of our State. Providing pro bono legal services ensures equal access to justice for all.”

– Chief Justice Cheri Beasley

It is with these words by our Chief Justice that I implore all members of the Greensboro Bar Association to participate in some pro bono service each month.  Under our Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 6.1, we have a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay.  All attorneys are encouraged to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono services each calendar year.  As 2019 comes to a close, have you completed your hours? A great resource to find pro bono opportunities is the North Carolina Pro Bono Resource Center. The NC Pro Bono Resource Center not only hosts many pro bono clinics throughout the state (Driver’s License Restoration Clinics, Power of Attorney Clinics, etc.), but also compiles a database of opportunities for attorneys to provide legal services in particular subject matter or geographic location.

As we celebrated National Pro Bono Week back in October, many of our members took time that week to participate in pro bono services.  Please take time to commit to a pro bono activity beyond the one week a year or even set a goal to exceed to encouraged 50 hours by our professional duty.

Manisha P. Patel, Esq., Chair of the Herb Falk Society 2018-2020

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Stell: Strategic Planning

December 1, 2019/in December 2019

Camille Stell
is President and CEO of Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or 800.662.8843.

Strategic planning is hard. It is so much easier to talk about improving your client selection skills or to hope that a budget appears on your desk than to spend the time thinking strategically about how to improve your law practice. The reality is that no one can manage your practice but you. However, if you rethink strategic planning, perhaps you can do some before the end of the year.

Most of us think about starting a strategy session outside of the office, preferably poolside in a resort location.  While that sounds fun, it isn’t going to happen between now and December 31. So how about if you walk down the hall to your conference room to escape the phone and email and devote a few hours to thinking about your business.

A popular exercise as part of strategic planning is a SWOT analysis. Why not give it a try on your own? Get out a white board, a yellow pad, or your laptop. Start by listing your strengths and weaknesses. Perhaps resolving client problems is your strength and getting new clients in the door is your weakness. This is actually a good problem to have. Client referrals are a great source of revenue for many lawyers and, if you are successful at resolving their problems, they are probably willing to refer work to you. You just need to make sure that you ask them to do this. It may seem difficult at first, but the more you practice, the easier it will get. Continue through identifying strengths and weaknesses until you feel you have identified enough items to set goals around.

The next two pieces of the SWOT analysis are to identify opportunities and threats. What is getting in the way of having a successful practice or taking your practice to the next level?  Write the threats down and think through solutions. Unfortunately, it is often easier to identify threats. Don’t get bogged down and don’t get discouraged. It’s helpful to know what your challenges are, this can help you identify goals to work towards.

As you begin listing opportunities, don’t forget to include current clients and referral sources. Who’s on the list? Other attorneys, your banker, your CPA, other professionals, your clients, your friends, people you do business with, people you went to school with, those in your neighborhood, your faith group. Get the idea?

Look at your calendar and start setting up breakfast, lunch, coffee or telephone calls to talk to these people and formalize the referral relationship. Perhaps you do it by asking them what their target client looks like so you can offer referrals to them. Don’t look at your referral list as a one-way meal ticket. The best way to get something is to give something. Share information. If you’ve used a great vendor, pass along that information. If you’ve found a wonderful web resource or a great article, send it along.

After going through the SWOT analysis, begin to identify some strategic objectives and set some tactical goals that will allow you to meet those objectives. For the purpose of the exercise, feel free to have three to five strategic objectives and dozens of goals.

You have arrived at the most important part of the exercise. Look at the strategies and decide how to prioritize for the coming year. At this point, you have to have a real conversation with yourself about what you can accomplish. You should keep the number of strategic objectives between one and three, with about three to five tactical goals for each objective. Don’t get rid of the remainder, as you succeed in meeting your goals, these leftover goals are added to your strategic plan for next year.

Now that the goals are identified, you have to fit them into your budget and establish time frames when the goals should be reached. You can’t reach out to 50 referral sources in January. Decide on a realistic plan, put it on your calendar and be accountable to yourself.

I’m not suggesting that strategic planning is painless. However, the end of the year is a great time to strategize about ways to improve your law practice.

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

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Williams Receives Distinguished Service Award

December 1, 2019/in December 2019, Frontpage Article

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. The recipient for 2018-19 is Joseph A. Williams.

Attorney Joseph “Joe” Williams of Joseph A. Williams, P.A. is a trial lawyer, practicing with his own firm in Greensboro.  Joe graduated from North Carolina Agricultural &Technical State University (NCAT) in 1972 and North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Law in 1975.

L-R: Hon. Robby Hassell, Ken Johnson, Joe and Georgia Williams, Eloise Hassell

He became an Assistant District Attorney for Guilford County in 1975 and District Court Judge of the 18th Judicial District in Greensboro from 1977-1980. Williams became partner of the Law Firm of Lee, Johnson & Williams in 1980 until 1983, when he started his own law firm. Joe is a former member of the Board of Trustees for NCAT, former member of the Board of Directors for the National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont (NCCJ) and former member of the Board of Directors for Greensboro National Bank.

Joe was the first African American to serve as President of the Greensboro Bar Association (2002-2003) and former Second Vice President of the NCCU School of Law Alumni Association. Joe is a Founding Member of the C.W. Lawrence Masonic Lodge and former President of the Greensboro Men’s Club.

Joe currently serves on the Board of Directors for First Citizens Bank and is Community Coordinator for the Greensboro Violent Offenders Task Force. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Greensboro Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, North Carolina Association of Black Lawyers, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Greensboro Young Men’s Club, and NC Guardsmen, Inc.  His numerous academic publications include “A Crow-Jim, the Saga of Inverse Discriminations,” among others.

Joe has received various awards and accolades throughout his life including: the American Juris Prudence Award of Academic Excellence in Health Law; the Law Week Award for Scholastic Achievement in Senior Year; the Order of the Long Leaf Pine State of North Carolina awarded by Governor James B. Hunt, Jr.; the NC Association of Black Lawyers Community Service Award; the Greensboro Young Men’s Club Man of the Year; and most recently the Lifetime Community Service Award from the International Civil Rights Center & Museum.

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Diane Lowe Recognized for Five Years of Dedicated Service

December 1, 2019/in December 2019

Diane Lowe receives award in appreciation of five years of dedication and exceptional service to the Greensboro Bar Association and for outstanding commitment as the Administrator for the Twenty-Fourth Judicial District Bar.

Diane Lowe was recognized for her dedication and commitment to the standard of excellence she has demonstrated to the Greensboro Bar Association.  Immediate Past President Judge Vincent recognized Diane at the November GBA lunch membership meeting.

As Judge Vincent remarked, Diane Lowe is “the most valuable asset to our organization” ––– thus, “give honor to whom honor is due.”  Judge Vincent noted that the honoree is gifted in the logistics that are necessary for people to have a seamless experience.  Indeed, Diane has gone above and beyond consistently to ensure the GBA members have an outstanding experience.

Diane Lowe has served as the GBA Administrator since 2014.  Ms. Lowe graduated from the State University of New York College at Fredonia in New York.  She served as the Membership Director of the Greensboro City Club from 1995 to 1997.  Diane owned Personal Jewelers of Greensboro, a high-end jewelry shop, from 1997 to 2001.  From 2002 to 2014, Diane also contributed greatly to the success of Kids Voting where she worked diligently to improve donor relations, recruit volunteers, and oversee budgeting and financial reporting.

Thank you, Diane!

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Message from the President, December 2019

December 1, 2019/in December 2019
Eric A. Richardson President, Greensboro Bar Association

Eric A. Richardson
President, Greensboro Bar Association

Conviction, in our language, can mean a declaration of guilt or a firmly held belief.  These meanings are ironic to me in light of two individuals who are the subject of this message: Fred Lind and Christine Mumma.  With firmly held beliefs about our justice system, Fred and Christine have dedicated their careers to public service.  And it’s the courage of their convictions that makes them special.

Fred Lind recently retired from a 45-year career in the Guilford County Public Defenders’ Office.  I do not think it is a stretch to say that Fred has interacted with just about every attorney who has practiced in Guilford County during that time. Through his service in the Courthouse, his work with the Greensboro Bar Association and numerous organizations, and his genuine, upbeat attitude, Fred made himself a friend to many and a model attorney for all.  When I came to Greensboro over 20 years ago as a new lawyer, Fred greeted me as if I was as important as his colleagues of 20 and 30 years.  He remembered my name each time he saw me, and more amazingly he remembered everything about my world and family, as if it was as important as his own.  (Anyone else have that experience?)  I won’t be able to capture the profound impact Fred has had on our community in a few words, so I simply and sincerely say, on behalf of the Greensboro Bar Association, THANK YOU, FRED!  We will miss you and we indeed hope you will visit us as often as you are able.  You will always be welcome at our table.

Christine Mumma is a person who may be less familiar to you.  She is the Executive Director of the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence (NCCAI) and she was recently our featured speaker, along with Greg Taylor, a man who was exonerated of murder after spending 17 years in prison in North Carolina, at the November GBA lunch membership meeting.  Christine left a career in finance for a career in law, where she has distinguished herself as a tireless advocate for the wrongly imprisoned.  During her presentation, I was struck first by the very simple premise of her work: mistakes in our justice system have led to numerous convictions of actually innocent people who deserve better. (My words, not hers.)  And second, although she shared insight into the source of mistakes that lead to the conviction of actually innocent people, her primary concern is and continues to be exonerating the innocent.  She made this point by reminding us that this is a bi-partisan issue.  That the actually innocent who are convicted of a crime are our siblings, parents, children, and friends.  As such, this is a problem we should all want to eradicate.

Her presentation reminded me of one of the first lessons taught to me at Wake Forest Law School by Charlie Rose. Our criminal justice system is based on the concept that we would rather have 10 guilty people walk free, than 1 innocent person imprisoned.  So, as we prepare for our respective holiday celebrations, let’s keep in mind people like Greg Taylor, who spent 17 Thanksgivings and New Years in prison.  And let’s be aware that more work needs to be done.  I encourage all of us to find a way to support the mission of ridding our prisons of actually innocent people.  Lastly, a number of members approached me after the meeting in November about making donations to NCCAI.  Their website, www.NCCAI.org, is set up to accept online donations at any time.

Happy Holidays!!

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Judge Vincent Honored for Service

December 1, 2019/in December 2019

At the November GBA lunch membership meeting at Greensboro Country Club, President Eric Richardson presented Immediate Past President Judge Teresa Vincent with a gift to express appreciation for her dedicated service and commitment in 2018-20.

Thank you, Judge Vincent, for your longstanding service to the members of the Greensboro Bar Association, and for your many accomplishments during your tenure last year!

 

The artglass inscription

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Wellness Corner

December 1, 2019/in December 2019

Recharge with loved ones.

Cherish special and everyday moments.
Make the everyday moments special.

Allie Petrova,
Editor

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New Members Approved on November 13, 2019

December 1, 2019/in December 2019

Lisa Maria Noda Grigley
Endorsed by Chelsea A. Peele

Davida Martin
Endorsed by Paul L. Jones

Geoffrey William Murphy
Endorsed by Nicole R. Scallon

Abigail Seymour
Camino Law
Endorsed by Chelsea A. Peele

Matthew Anderson
Bovis, Kyle, Burch  Medlin, LLC
Endorsed by Alicia L. Bray

Paul Florence
Endorsed by Chelsea A. Peele

Lauren Hossfeld
The Elder Law Firm
Endorsed by Dennis J. Toman

Jeffrey Jones
J.T. Jones Law PLLC
Endorsed by Chelsea A. Poole

Steven M. LaSota
Brooks Pierce LLP
Endorsed by John M. Cross, Jr.

Robert Martin
Luft Law Group
Endorsed by Chelsea A. Peele

Emily M. Melvin
Ellis & Winters LLP
Endorsed by Jonathan A. Berkelhammer

Benjamin John Rafte
Isaacson Sheridan
Endorsed by Jennifer N. Fountain

Sarah M. Rozek
Fox Rothschild LLP
Endorsed by Susan M. Fradenburg

Mary Sanders
Guilford County Public Defender
Endorsed by Molly A. Hilburn-Holte

J’Omega Latrice Walker
Taylor Law Office
Endorsed by Gerald L. Walden, Jr.

Justin Wraight
Cardinal Law Partners
Endorsed by Megan Callahan

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Volunteer at Potter’s House

December 1, 2019/in December 2019

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 on the following Sundays:

December 15, 2019

March 15, 2020

January 19, 2020

April 19, 2020

February 16, 2020

May 17, 2020

This is a great opportunity to give back to the community in the company of fellow bar members.

Please email Molly Hilburn-Holte at molly@erlaw-nc.com if you are able to help. Write POTTER’S HOUSE in the subject line.

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