YLS Hosts Virtual CLE with NC Lawyers Assistance Program
/in January 2021, Newsletter /by Greensboro NewsletterThe Greensboro Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section had the opportunity to host Candace Hoffman of the North Carolina Lawyer Assistance Program for a virtual CLE, Mental Health and Well-Being During COVID on December 3, 2020 via Zoom. Ms. Hoffman is a former litigator whose work sparked her passion for the mental health and substance abuse treatment fields.
Ms. Hoffman spoke on an array of mental health issues associated with the COVID pandemic and identified profession-specific frustrations during these unprecedented times. Notably, Hoffman described lawyers as “control enthusiasts” who seek to remain prepared at all times. In a world where many circumstances are beyond our control, Hoffman identified specific strategies that we as lawyers can implement to reduce our stress and anxiety when presented with uncertainty. Those strategies included a variety of self-care techniques, and exercises to increase relaxation and mindfulness.
North Carolina Lawyer Assistance Program (NCLAP) is a service of the North Carolina state bar which provides free, confidential, non-disciplinary assistance to lawyers, judges and law students in addressing mental health issues. If you are experiencing anxiety, depression, unmanageable stress, or burnout, I encourage you to explore the invaluable resources NCLAP has to offer to our profession. Visit the NCLAP website at www.nclap.org for more information.
Explore the following link for a list of helpful resources for the legal profession during COVID-19: https://www.nclap.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/RESOURCES-FOR-THE-LEGAL-PROFESSION-DURING-COVID-19.pdf.
The 2020 Elementary School Book Project, Still a Great Success
/in January 2021, Newsletter /by Greensboro NewsletterOn December 15, 2020, GBA Elementary School Project Co-Chair Adam Kerr delivered a set of more than 200 well-wrapped books from the Greensboro Bar Association to David D. Jones Elementary School. Even though the pandemic meant that GBA members did not get to personally put the books in the hands of every K-5 student in the Traditional English program this year, we kept as much of our holiday tradition intact as possible. As in years past, GBA members generously donated more than $2,600, and the books were purchased through Jones’s Scholastic Book Fair, which provides the school with points that can be used to purchase new books for the school library and classrooms. Unlike in years past, we were not able to wrap the books together at the holiday party, but several volunteers stepped up and offered to wrap books at work or home, including:
Melissa Byrd (and staff at Schell Bray PLLC)
Sarah Holmes Crumpton
Judge Lora Cubbage
Susan M. Fradenburg (and staff at Fox Rothschild LLP)
Eloise Hassell
Diane Lowe
Joseph Petrack
Elizabeth A. Ray (and staff at Crumley Roberts, LLP)
Ashley Sappenfeld (and staff at Lanier Law Group, P.A.)
Mary Nelle Smith
Michele G. Smith (and staff at Hill Evans Jordan * Beatty PLLC)
Thanks go to everyone who donated their time and money to make this program successful! 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 funds to the annual Elementary School Project:
Judge A Robinson Hassell
Adam Kerr
Amy Klass
April Kight
Barbara Christy
Barbara Morgenstern
Bill Cooke
Judge Bill Davis
Charles Younce
Diane Lowe
Donald Speckhard
Douglas Wright
Elizabeth Ray
Erin Reis
Henson & Talley LLP
James Bryan
James Slaughter
Jamey Lowdermilk
Jonathan Harkavy
Kathleen Gleason
Kearns Davis
Laura Burton
Lisa Arthur
M. Corinne Berry
MacCord Mason PLLC
Margaret Kantlehner
Mark Cain
Mary Smith
Melanie Hamilton
Michele Smith
Nancy Ferguson
Judge Patrice Hinnant
Richard Hicks
Justice Robert Edmunds
Ronald Johnson
Sabrina Clark
Sally Cone
Sarah Holmes
Sharon Allen
Sigmon Klein PLLC
Steve Schlosser
Susan Liemer
Judge Teresa Vincent
Terrill Harris
Register Now for Annual CLE February 18, 2021
/in January 2021, Newsletter /by Greensboro NewsletterNeed last minute CLE? GBA is sponsoring a 4 hour CLE event on February 18, 2021 at 1:15 pm, right after the GBA monthly lunch meeting. CLE ends at 5:25. The event will be virtual so it will be easy to attend and get your last minute hours for 2020, or get a jump on 2021.
We have some great speakers and the program will include a special presentation about the legal history of Jim Crow laws in North Carolina, the required substance abuse hour, a refresher on trust account management, a legislative update and a judges panel.
The early registration discounted cost is $110 for GBA members and $130 for nonmembers. The non-discounted price (after February 11, 2021) is $130 for GBA members and $150 for nonmembers.
Register Here!
Young Lawyers Section: Connections
/in January 2021, Newsletter /by Greensboro NewsletterHappy New Year! The Young Lawyers Section is so excited for the new year and for your participation in 2021. We look forward to celebrating with all of our members!
December Recap
In December, the Young Lawyers were active! On December 3, the Young Lawyers Section hosted an informative and relevant virtual CLE for our members on Mental Health & Well-Being During COVID. On December 17, the Young Lawyers Section hosted a virtual holiday wine tasting in connection with the Loaded Grape. Participants were able to learn about wine as well as taste some great samples. We had a lot of fun!
2021 Kickoff Party
The Young Lawyers Section will be virtually hosting its annual kickoff party in January. Please check the Young Lawyers Section Facebook page and keep an eye on your inbox for details!
Connect With Us
If you want more information about upcoming Young Lawyers Section events or how you can get involved, follow us on Facebook (Greensboro Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section), visit our website at www.greensboroyls.org, and email Hillary Kies ([email protected]) to make sure you receive YLS emails. We hope to see you at one of our 2021 events!
Stell: 2021: A New Dawn, A New Day, and I’m Feeling Good
/in January 2021, Newsletter /by Greensboro Newsletter
Camille Stell is President and CEO of Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at [email protected] or 800.662.8843.
I often describe myself as flexible.
My husband laughs. Out loud, mind you, right in front of me!
Because in truth, I yearn to control every situation. I prefer to know the question before it is asked of me. And I’d rather meet with you when I want to and where I want to.
Here’s what I know about myself mid-pandemic. I can be almost always flexible, but it does exhaust me.
How it started
I remember the dates very clearly because I was hosting the third annual Managing Partners Summit on Tuesday March 17. The week prior, the phone calls and emails were coming in fast and furious from speakers, sponsors, and attendees, “what are your plans for next week?”
I talked to everyone for advice, the most risk adverse people in my circle, as well as those who saw things a little differently. I talked to my sister-in-law who works for a clinical research organization. Her company is international and by this time they already had dozens of clinical trials happening across the world. She sent me charts and graphs and articles daily.
And from March 9 – “the show must go on!” – to March 12 – “I’m shutting it down” – we began to see the world around us change. And flexibility became more important than ever.
Send everyone home
By Friday the 13th (REALLY???), Lawyers Mutual decided to send our work force home, as many of you did. At that time, we thought we would work at home for six weeks and beat this pandemic. It was probably good for us that we didn’t know then what we know now. That we would be working remotely for the remainder of the year, or that we would have tough pandemic protocols in our offices monitoring everything from whether we allowed clients inside to taking our temperatures daily.
Living during a pandemic
I have felt ALL the emotions during this pandemic. Anxious, depressed, tired, lethargic, happy to be home, sad to be isolated, guilty for having a job that allowed me to work remotely.
I was only in the second year of a new business venture so I worried whether I would have business, then worried when I got business whether I could manage it remotely. I’d have a great day with plenty of energy and good client exchanges on Zoom then the next day find myself feeling angry because the internet was down AGAIN and asking myself how I could possibly be expected to work under these circumstances?
It has been hard. And even as I write that, I am inclined to erase it. I imagine there are millions of people across the world who would read that sentence and wonder if I had fallen and hit my head. How hard is it to work from the comfort of a beautiful home office?
I get teary-eyed as I put these emotions on the page. And I think to myself, girl, no one wants to read this.
2020 has been a year like no other I’ve experienced in my lifetime. And there are plenty of people this year such as the wonderful Laura Mahr, a lawyer and wellness and mindfulness expert, who tell me it is ok to feel all the feelings. And to acknowledge them. Because one thing we do GREAT in the legal profession is to smile and say, “I’m doing great, how about you?”
It’s a New Dawn
I open YouTube and search for Michael Buble singing “Feeling Good”. “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me and I’m feeling good.” The jazzy music lifts my spirit. His crooning puts a smile on my face. And I love those horns. It’s a big song. Which is what I need, a BIG song.
I am hopeful about 2021. It is a new dawn and it is a new day. There’s a vaccine. Winter will end and the days will get longer. Sometime in 2021, I’m going back to the office to work.
My New Year’s wish for you is a healthy 2021. I hope you experience joy this year. I hope your law firm, or law school or business is prosperous in 2021. I hope our families and our communities will thrive this year.
And next month, I’ll try to be my normal, flexible self, writing to you about the legal profession and how you can evolve and thrive. But until then, Michael and I are singing pretty loud, because horns can handle the volume.
Camille Stell is the President of Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at [email protected] or 919.677.8900.
2021 NCBA Pro Bono Award Nomination Deadline is February 1
/in January 2021, Newsletter /by Greensboro NewsletterDo you know someone that deserves to be recognized for their pro bono service to others? Please consider nominating an attorney, law firm or collaborative pro bono project for recognition with a 2021 NCBA Pro Bono Award. Award categories include:
- Pro Bono Attorney of the Year (William Thorp Award)
- Legal Services Attorney of the Year (Deborah Greenblatt Award)
- Younger Lawyer Pro Bono Service Award
- Law Firm Pro Bono award
- Law Student Group Pro Bono Service Award, and
- Outstanding Collaborative Pro Bono Service Award (for NCBA Section/Division pro bono projects, local bar association pro bono projects and other group-based pro bono projects).
More detailed information about the Pro Bono Award categories, Nomination Guidelines, and a link to the nomination form can be found on the NCBA website. Nominations of diverse candidates are particularly encouraged. Nominations must be submitted by February 1, 2021. Questions? Email [email protected].
Wellness Corner
/in January 2021, Newsletter /by Greensboro Newsletter
BarCARES is a confidential, short-term intervention program provided cost-free to members of the 24th Judicial District Bar and other participating judicial district bars, voluntary bar associations and law schools. If you would like additional information about the program and/or its availability in your area, please contact the BarCARES coordinator at 919.929.1227 or 1.800.640.0735 or click on the icon below.
January Calendar Notes
/in January 2021, Newsletter /by Greensboro Newsletter
January 13 – Board Meeting, 4:00 PM, Zoom
January 20 – YLS Board Meeting, 12:00 PM, Zoom
January 20 – Submission Deadline for February Newsletter
January 21 – Member Meeting, 12:30 PM, Zoom
Message from the President, January 2021
/in January 2021, Newsletter /by Greensboro NewsletterGBA Members,
From all of us at the GBA, happy new year to you and your families! We hope you had a joyous holiday season and got some time away from the (virtual) office.
I want to thank all of you who participated in our virtual holiday party. It was a great time to connect with new and familiar faces. Fred Lind even made an appearance and agreed to take photos for me. I’m including some photos of our time together below. Many attorneys shared the “rose” (or high point) of their year, meaning that we saw many new babies during our party! We played games (where the Hassells had a strong showing), enjoyed live music, won cool prizes, and even watched a magician. Many thanks to Rosetta Davis and Abigail Peoples for thinking outside of the box and planning such a great event.
I also want to thank those of you who took the time to fill out our mid-year GBA membership survey. COVID has challenged our traditional offerings through this organization and we want to make sure that we are meeting the needs of the membership. We are in the process of reviewing the results now, but we want you to know that we are listening and open to consider new approaches in 2021. Stay tuned!
We hope to see you at our next membership meeting on January 21, 2021. Principal Luciano from Jones Elementary will be our featured speaker and will provide an update on how our contributions to Jones Elementary are being used to further their mission. Also included in this newsletter is information about our upcoming Annual CLE in February 18, 2021. Go ahead and reserve your spot now for what promises to be a great program!
Stay safe, be well, and Happy New Year!
Lisa Arthur
GBA President, 2020-2021
COVID Positive Report Greensboro 12-23-20
/in COVID-19 Updates, Frontpage Article /by Greensboro Bar AssociationCOVID Positive Report Greensboro 12-18-20
/in COVID-19 Updates, Frontpage Article /by Greensboro Bar AssociationTemporary Closure of GSO Criminal and Civil Departments
/in Frontpage Article /by Greensboro Bar AssociationAn important notice from the Clerk of Superior Court…
We are excited to announce that the Criminal and Civil side of our Greensboro office is being RENOVATED! Please bear with us during this transition. Due to all new workstations being built, we will need to close our office to everyone during this time.
• Criminal will be closing at 3pm,
effective Thursday, December 17th
• Civil will be closing at 3pm,
effective Friday, December 18th**
**Our Civil 50B department has TEMPORARILY moved to UG-17.
If everything goes smoothly, we anticipate re-opening both Civil and Criminal to everyone by Monday, January 4, 2021. During this period, ALL filings may be placed in one of the drop boxes outside the departments, or in the outside drop box located on Eugene Street next to the LG Handicapped entrance. We will have a limited number of employees here to process anything received from the drop boxes or by mail. Our High Point location will remain open during this time, if you need in-person assistance.
COVID-19 Positive Cases Greensboro 12-7-20
/in COVID-19 Updates, Frontpage Article /by Greensboro Bar AssociationManisha Patel Presented with GBA Pro Bono Award
/in Frontpage Article /by Greensboro Bar AssociationThe Greensboro Bar Association’s 2020 Pro Bono Award was presented to Manisha P. Patel at the virtual member meeting on November 19, 2020.
Manisha is well deserving of this award. Last year, she was named the North Carolina Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Pro Bono Attorney of the Year at the 2019 NCBA Annual Meeting. She was selected for the NCBA award because of her significant pro bono service through Legal Aid of North Carolina, the North Carolina Justice Center and the power of attorney clinics for immigrant residents, and service in the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s signature pro bono programs, Free Legal Answers and 4ALL. Manisha is also a volunteer Guardian ad Litem for Guilford County where she provides support and assistance to some of the state’s most vulnerable children. In addition to maintaining her solo law practice, she gives substantial time to pro bono clients and programs throughout North Carolina. She is also working with Legal Aid of North Carolina to develop a mediation program for Landlord-Tenant disputes.
Manisha is currently the chair of the GBA’s Pro Bono Committee and has been in that role for several years. She is always promoting pro bono service among the local bar. She and her committee present the Herb Falk Society awards to recipients each year. Last year Manisha was inducted into the HFS after logging over 650 hours of pro bono service
in 2019!
Manisha is in her second term as President of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys (“NCAWA”). Patel was selected for this leadership position after serving in her roles of Education Committee Chair, Secretary, Vice-President, and President-Elect. Manisha also served as President of the local chapter of NCAWA, Piedmont Triad Women Attorneys for 2016 and 2017.
Manisha earned her Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law and holds bachelor’s degrees in both economics and history from Virginia Tech University. With a focus on family law, Patel started her solo practice in November 2018 after spending over six years in private practice. Manisha offers compassionate legal counsel and support to family law clients during emotionally stressful transitions and difficult life situations.
We are proud to recognize Manisha’s outstanding service.
SUSTAINING MEMBERS 2020-21
/in December 2020, Newsletter /by Greensboro NewsletterSUSTAINING MEMBERS 2020-21
Thank you for your support!
James C. Adams, II
Michael J. Allen
J. Alexander S. Barrett
Vance Barron
June L. Basden
Jack B. Bayliss, Jr.
Marc D. Bishop
Stacey A. Brady
Doris R. Bray
William G. Burgin, III
Mark T. Cain
William P. H. Cary
Barbara R. Christy
Harry H. Clendenin, III
Sally B. Cone
Richard D. Conner
William O. Cooke, Jr.
John M. Cross, Jr.
Lindsay R. Davis, Jr.
Kearns Davis
Rachel S. Decker
M. Jay DeVaney
J. Scott Dillon
Robert D. Douglas, III
Robert H. Edmunds, Jr.
K. Michelle Fletcher
John M. Flynn
Jamie Lisa Forbes
W. Erwin Fuller, Jr.
Richard W. Gabriel
James L. Gale
Hunter H. Galloway, III
Tomakio S. Gause
Michael H. Godwin
Garland G. Graham
Kenneth M. Greene
Charles T. Hagan, III
Eloise Hassell
Marcus Edward Hayes
J. Patrick Haywood
Richard H. Hicks, Jr.
John T. Higgins, Jr.
Thomas P. Hockman
George W. House
Ronald P. Johnson
Sharon O. Johnston
Paul L. Jones
Kenneth L. Jones
Kenneth R. Keller
April E. Kight
Amy H. Kincaid
Anita Jo Kinlaw-Troxler
Robert O. Klepfer, Jr.
Norman Klick
Jennifer L. J. Koenig
Kenneth Kyre, Jr.
D. Beth Langley
Kathryn S. Lindley
Paul H. Livingston, Jr.
Anne B. Lupton
Travis William Martin
Jonathan V. Maxwell
Charles F. McCoy
Thomas E. Medlin, Jr.
David F. Meschan
Larry I. Moore, III
John R. Morgan
Maureen Demarest Murray
Jeffrey E. Oleynik
Justin N. Outling
Gerald C. Parker
Seldon E. Patty
Christina Freeman Pearsall
Galina “Allie” Petrova
Jim W. Phillips, Jr.
Richard L. Pinto
John P. Reilly
Crystal Richardson
Sarah H. Roane
James M. Roane III
Russell M. Robinson, III
Stanley L. Rodenbough, IV
Mr. Kevin Alan Rust
Kurt A. Seeber
John H. Small
Donald K. Speckhard
Stanley E. Speckhard
Laurie R. Stegall
Scott K. Tippett
Dennis J. Toman
William S. Trivette
Joseph E. Turner
Randall A. Underwood
Richard L. Vanore
Christopher J. Vaughn
Russell G. Walker, Jr.
Thomas C. Watkins
Jeri L. Whitfield
Robert A. Wicker
Howard L. Williams
Gregory S. Williams
Charles H. Winfree
Edward C. Winslow III
Keith A. Wood
Carolyn J. Woodruff
S. Kyle Woosley
Charles P. Younce
Elizabeth Zook
In Memoriam, JAMES ALLEN MEDFORD
/in December 2020, Newsletter /by Greensboro NewsletterJAMES ALLEN MEDFORD
James Allen (Jim) Medford, 75, died peacefully at his home on August 4, 2020, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Jim Medford was raised in Waynesville, North Carolina. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of UNC-CH with dual majors in chemistry and German. A Fulbright Scholar and UNC Morehead Scholar, he received his JD degree with high honors from Harvard Law School.
Medford retired in 2016 as a senior partner at Smith Moore Leatherwood (now Fox Rothschild LLP) in Greensboro; he joined the law firm in 1971 when it was named Smith Moore Smith Schell and Hunter. His practice was concentrated in the areas of intellectual property litigation, health care and international law. Medford was a member of the American Law Institute, the International Bar Association and the White Collar Crime Committee of the American Bar Association.
Longtime journalist, author and personal friend Jerry Bledsoe affectionately described Jim as “a tall, hulking man with a round face and a poet’s soul.” Medford loved both international travel and music. Fluent in German, he frequently visited and worked in Berlin and other cities in Germany. A six-month sabbatical took him and his wife Carol to Tahiti, Australia, the UK and Ireland. Jim’s musical tastes were eclectic, but he had a special place in his heart for classic country music and folk songs. Jim was passionate about political issues, justice and civil rights, always expressing that passion with authenticity and often with his wonderful sense of humor.
His greatest passion and love in life was his family and many lifelong friends He is survived by his wife Carol Stearns Medford of Greensboro; his daughter Caroline Medford Lieber (Dan) of Wakefield, MA; son, William Alden Medford (Amy) of Cambridge, MA; and four beloved grandchildren, Shiri and Rose Lieber, and Lucy and Henry Medford.
In Memoriam, LACY LEE LUCAS, JR.
/in December 2020, Newsletter /by Greensboro NewsletterLACY LEE LUCAS, JR.
July 9, 1930-March 14, 2020
Lacy Lee Lucas, Jr., age 89, died Saturday, March 14, 2020, at River Landing Retirement Community in Colfax, North Carolina.
Lacy was born on July 9, 1930, to Lacy Lee Lucas, Sr. and Mildred Lemons Lucas as their only child. While lacking siblings, he developed lifelong cherished relationships with his incredibly wonderful maternal and fraternal cousins.
He graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in 1948 and then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning his bachelor’s degree in business in 1952 and his law degree in 1955. Lacy was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity where the special bonds he made lasted throughout his life. He loved UNC and was proud that all three of his grandchildren attended UNC Chapel Hill.
After admission to the North Carolina bar in 1955, Lacy practiced law for five decades. He loved the practice of law and he represented his clients with great integrity, respect and dedication.
As much as Lacy loved practicing law, he always put his family first. He was a devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather. His love for his family was immense and his family was truly blessed with his unconditional love. All other matters were immediately put on hold whenever a family member needed Lacy’s help.
Lacy taught us by example how to truly live life. He extended the highest level of respect, honesty, and compassion to everyone he met. His attitude was always one of finding how we can work together to solve problems and make the world a better place. Lacy consistently offered encouragement and gratitude. Very importantly, he always had a smile. Lacy truly loved people.
Lacy was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, for over 40 years, including serving on various boards and committees. He later transferred to Christ United Methodist Church. Very important to his heart, Lacy volunteered with The ARC of Greensboro, an organization promoting advocacy and programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and he was a founding board member of UMAR, an agency of the United Methodist Church, advocating for adults with developmental disabilities.
Lacy was predeceased by his beloved wife, Emily Stonestreet Lucas. Lacy and Emily were true devoted life partners for each other over their entire wonderful married life together of more than 53 years until Emily’s death in 2006.
Lacy is survived by his daughter, Beth Emily Lucas Smith (Nicky); his sons, Barry Lucas and Gregg Lucas (Mary Anne); and his wonderful grandchildren, Austin Lucas, Harrison Lucas, and Meredith Emily Smith.
NCBA Pro Bono Volunteer Recognition
/in December 2020, Newsletter /by Greensboro NewsletterDo you know a pro bono superstar that deserves to be recognized for their service to others? The North Carolina Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee recognizes outstanding contributors to pro bono service by featuring volunteer spotlights on the NCBA Pro Bono Blog, and other communication channels. Please help us identify pro bono volunteers who go above and beyond in their service to their clients and communities by sharing volunteer names using this form. Please note that nomination of diverse candidates is strongly encouraged.
Following your nomination, members of the Pro Bono Committee will follow up with the nominee to learn more about their pro bono work, motivations and advice for others interested in providing pro bono service. If you have questions, please submit them to [email protected]. Thank you! Jennifer G. Mencarini – [email protected]

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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