Jim Slaughter, a partner at Law Firm Carolinas, received the Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award at the 2024 Community Association Law Seminar in Las Vegas. The award recognizes attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to the community association industry. Jim is a past President of the national College of Community Association Lawyers as well as the North Carolina Chapter of the Community Associations Institute. He has written four books on association meeting procedure, including the recent Robert’s Rules of Order Fast Track.

GBA President-Elect, Manisha Patel, has been named to the prestigious National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) Rising List for 2024. This recognition celebrates Patel’s outstanding contributions to the legal profession and her commitment to advancing women in law.

Patel, known for her exceptional legal acumen and dedication to advocating for justice, has been instrumental in championing women’s rights and equality within the legal sphere. Her tireless efforts and remarkable achievements have garnered widespread recognition and respect from her peers and the legal community at large. As a recipient of this esteemed honor, Patel joins a select group of rising stars in the legal profession who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication to their craft. Through her work, she continues to inspire future generations of women lawyers to strive for excellence and make meaningful contributions to the legal field.

Commenting on her inclusion in the NAWL Rising List, Manisha Patel said, “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the National Association of Women Lawyers. This acknowledgment reaffirms my commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession and women in and under the law.”

The NAWL Rising List recognizes emerging women lawyers, early- to mid-career, who have shown exceptional promise in their careers and have made significant contributions to their respective fields. This prestigious accolade serves as a testament to Patel’s dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

About NAWL:

The National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) is a leading organization dedicated to promoting the interests and advancement of women lawyers. Through advocacy, networking, and professional development initiatives, NAWL strives to empower women in the legal profession and promote gender equality in all aspects of the law.

This CLE will provide training for non-family lawyers to be Guardian ad Litems in cases in district court.

When:
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
12:30 – 1:30 PM

For GBA members only.

Members may attend in person (if one of the first 30 to register) or via Zoom. Space is limited to 30 on site.
Lunch will be provided by Fox Rothschild beginning at 12:15 PM. One hour of General CLE credit pending.
The presenter will be Iris Sunshine, Executive Director of The Children’s Law Center.

Note: Registrants will receive an email from Diane Lowe with a lunch reservation confirmation or the Zoom link.

Register Here.

The American Red Cross reports that the United States is facing an emergency blood shortage, with the lowest number of people donating blood in 20 years.

People report a variety of reasons for not donating blood – they aren’t aware of the need, they struggle to make time in their schedule, or they are nervous about the process, they have a fear of needles or a fear of blood.

Blood donation began dropping in 2022 while the pandemic was ongoing, but blood donor numbers are on their way back to pre-pandemic levels.

My Story

My dad was a life-long blood donor. He worked less than a mile from the local Red Cross office and he would regularly donate during his lunch hour. When I was in high school and a blood drive was scheduled for our gym, I thought I would give it a try. The phlebotomist told me I had small veins, and I would probably bruise, but the process was easy enough. From that point forward, whenever a blood drive took place where I was and it was convenient, I participated. This meant an annual contribution or every other year event, and I felt good about helping.

During the pandemic, I was looking for ways to make a difference and blood donation became one of my projects. I downloaded the Red Cross App and I actively searched for opportunities. I began giving blood every quarter. The Red Cross App encouraged me to be more engaged in the process. I get reminders when I’m eligible to donate and I can track my blood journey. 

For example, I gave blood on January 24th of this year. The app notifies me as my blood makes the trip towards saving a life. Within days of donation, my blood was processed and tested. My blood was spun in a centrifuge to separate the transfusable components – the red cells, platelets, and plasma. When my blood passed all the tests, my red cells were stored in a refrigerator at 42.8 degrees for up to 42 days. 

Finally, my blood was delivered to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia where it was used to save up to three lives. My blood has traveled up the East Coast as far as Pennsylvania, as far south as Georgia and across North Carolina.

If your preference is for your blood to stay local, there are other organizations such as The Blood Connection that keep the donations in your geographic location. 

Who Needs Blood Donations?

Most donations are needed for cancer patients and trauma patients such as those involved in car accidents. Blood transfusions are also needed during childbirth. In the U.S., one out of every 83 mothers delivering babies need blood transfusions.

Why is a Diverse Blood Supply Important?

More than 100,000 people in the U.S. suffer from sickle cell disease which disproportionately affects individuals of African descent. A single patient with sickle cell disease can require thousands of blood transfusions throughout their lifetime.

Patients with sickle cell disease rely on regular blood transfusions to prevent complications such as organ and tissue damage, severe pain, and strokes. Frequent transfusions can make finding compatible blood types more difficult when patients develop an immune response against blood from donors that are not closely matched to the recipient. One in three African American blood donors are a match for individuals with sickle cell disease often saving them from severe complications.

My Goal

While 62% of the population is eligible, only 3% of U.S. adults donate blood. Of those who give, individuals on average donate only 1.8 times per year. While I’ve given quarterly for the past three years, my goal is to increase to five donations this year. The maximum you can donate is six times per year – every eight weeks. I’ve already searched out donation spots in my area and have marked my calendar through August.

Donors must be 17 years and older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Prior to donating, you should be fully hydrated, have eaten a full meal including iron rich foods, and have enjoyed some form of exercise. I take a brisk walk and drink water all morning before donating. 

Make sure you have your photo ID with you as well as your medication list. You can save time by completing the RapidPass questionnaire via the Red Cross App on the day of your appointment.

When I arrive, a Red Cross team member will take my temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level. I must answer a few questions in addition to the RapidPass documentation, then I’m ready to donate. It typically takes me 20 minutes to donate once I’m on the donation table, though times vary among individuals.

I typically donate at churches or community centers. In January I donated in Zebulon, and the local middle school provided student volunteers who greeted donors, made nametags (and decorated them!), and provided us with snacks afterwards. There’s usually music playing and a sociable vibe. I always have a podcast ready for listening, but I usually engage in conversation with the employees and other donors instead.

Afterwards, donors are encouraged to rest for 15 minutes at the donation location with a snack and water or juice which is provided. Avoid alcohol over the next 24 hours and avoid heavy lifting or vigorous exercise for the rest of the day.

Be a Donor or Host a Blood Drive

I would encourage you to become a blood donor. Download the Red Cross app or go online and find a donation site near you. Invite a friend to join you for support as well as double the donation. Or even better, encourage the Greensboro Bar Association, Elon Law School, or your own law firm or company to host a blood drive. Usually, you only need to provide the location, the Red Cross provides everything else.

Help reduce the blood shortage, increase the number of blood donors and donations per donor, and save lives at the same time. 

Camille Stell is the President of Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services and the co-author of the book, RESPECT – An Insight to Attorney Compensation Plans available from Amazon. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualconsulting.com or 800.662.8843.

Hello GBA Members!

We are approaching the final stretch of the 2023-24 bar year, and it has been quite a ride thus far. Before taking a look at April, let’s briefly reflect on March.

March was another testament of the vibrancy of the GBA. From the Corporate/Business Law Section’s networking breakfast social to a joint reception with the High Point Bar Association, alongside myriad other activities, our association thrived. Notably, during a memorable virtual membership meeting, we celebrated Attorney Erik Albright’s outstanding community service by bestowing upon him the Centennial Award, as well as welcomed the insightful perspectives of the Sisters Who Rule. These four women in the judiciary led a profound discussion centered around the word “JUSTICE” during which they challenged us all to 

(i) be Judicious in our approach to the law, 

(ii) embrace our Unique characteristics and ideas, 

(iii) challenge the Status quo, 

(iv) not be afraid to seek Therapy, if needed, and ultimately 

(v) recognize that the ICE-ing on any successful legal career is knowing the law.

A great way to cap off Women’s History Month.

As we enter April and start embracing the shift in seasons, you may find yourself drawn to the warming temperatures outdoors, eager to shed the confines of your office, the courtroom or simply being inside. While, like many of you, I welcome the opportunity to start participating in various outdoor activities and events, please remember the upcoming GBA activities that will offer the chance to foster camaraderie and connection with peers. To name a few, the two upcoming presentations for which CLE credit is being sought, the Legal Aid annual fundraiser, and the GBA’s joint April Member Meeting with the 24th Judicial Bar. These events and others are further outlined in this newsletter.

In closing, your active participation in our activities and endeavors not only enriches our collective experience but also strengthens the very foundation of the GBA. Let us continue to collaborate and inspire one another, as we strive towards even greater heights. 

All the best!

Gerald L. Walden, Jr.

GBA President, 2023-2024