On behalf of the Greensboro Bar Association and the Greensboro Bar Association Foundation, we invite you to consider becoming a sponsor of our 2026 Legal Aid of North Carolina fundraiser on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at BoxCar Bar + Arcade!

The event features a delicious, catered dinner, drinks from BoxCar, tokens to enjoy the arcade, and an evening enjoying fellowship. All proceeds will benefit the Greensboro office of Legal Aid of North Carolina.

Legal Aid of North Carolina (“LANC”) is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people in order to ensure equal access to justice and to remove legal barriers to economic opportunity. Here are just some of the critical services LANC provides:

• Secure protective orders for victims of domestic violence
• Help parents get the child support they deserve
• Defendant victims of violence in child custody disputes
• Stop illegal evictions
• Help disaster victims who have lost their homes
• Fight aggressive and illegal debt collection tactics
• Expunge old criminal records
• Correct credit records
• Fight housing discrimination

This year, LANC needs our help more than ever. Due to the statewide legislative freeze on the North Carolina IOLTA Board, LANC has lost approximately $6 million i
n funding. This is 15% of LANC’s budget.

This fundraiser provides 5 levels of sponsorship, ranging from $250 to $2,000 in donations. Every dollar counts.

If you would like to become a sponsor, please review the attached sponsorship form, then reach out to us via email at jcooper@lanierlawgroup.com and ecarico@lanierlawgroup.com. Thank you for your consideration.

Best regards,

Jeanna Cooper & Emily Carico
LANC Fundariser Co-Chairs

 

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March 12, 2026
Zoom

Please join the GBA for our annual Greensboro Bar Foundation Fundraiser- the Annual CLE Seminar!

The Annual CLE will be held virtually (Zoom) on Thursday, March 12 from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

REGISTER ONLINE

Or

Register by Mail: Mail a check and the completed Registration Form to GBA office.

Cost:

• $100 – Young Lawyers Section Member
• $125 GBA Member ($150 after March 4)
• $150 Non-GBA Member ($175 after March 4)

NC State Bar CLE Credit Pending Approval:

• 2 Hours of Technology or Professional Well-Being Credit
• 1 Hour of Ethics Credit
• 1 Hour of Ethics Credit (plus Trust Accounting Credit)
• 1 Hour of Professional Well-Being Credit
• 1 Hour of General or Professional Well-Being Credit

Topics Include:

• Mental Health, the Law and AI
• Trust Accounting: Behind the Numbers
• Trauma-Informed Law
• Tackling the To Do List: Task and Project Management
• Mindfulness in the Practice of Law
• From Burnout to Balance: Leveraging AI for Attorney Well-Being and Sustainable Practice

We hope you will join us for the 2026 Legal Aid of North Carolina fundraiser on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at BoxCar Bar + Arcade! Back by popular demand, the event will include a silent auction. We need your help in securing awesome items for the silent auction. Please reach out to Jeanna Cooper or  Emily Carico if you would like to be a sponsor, join our committee, or donate to the silent auction.

Thank you!

DISTRICT COURT JUDICIAL VACANCY

Notice: Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-142 and the Bylaws of the 24^th and 24H Judicial District Bars, notice hereby is given that a SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE 24^th and 24-H JUDICIAL DISTRICT BARS will be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at the Old Guilford County Courthouse at 301 West Market Street in Greensboro, NC for the purpose of selecting nominees to submit to Governor Joshua H. Stein to fill the District Court judicial vacancy occasioned by the retirement of the Honorable K. Michelle Fletcher on January 31, 2026. Member check-in and ballot distribution will begin at 3:00 p.m.

Candidates:  Any member of the 24^th Judicial District Bar or the 24H Judicial District Bar who wishes to be a candidate for the judicial seat and who is a resident in either district must notify us of his or her intention in writing, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026, five (5) days in advance of the meeting.  The notification shall state that he or she is duly authorized to practice law in the 24th and 24H Judicial District Bars, and that his or her residence address is located within either district.  Notification must be delivered or mailed to at least one of the following: John F. Nieman, PO Box 235, Julian, NC 27283 or e-mailed to Jfnieman32@gmail.com, or delivered or mailed to Judge Bill Davis, PO Box 3008, Greensboro, NC 27402, or  e-mailed to William.B.Davis@nccourts.org. If you send notice by e-mail, please request confirmation that the e-mail has been received.

Each candidate is requested to submit a brief resume and a statement as to the candidate’s qualifications, contained in one (1) .pdf file, for the judicial seat.  Such information will be posted on the Greensboro Bar Association’s website, www.greensborobar.org, and the High Point Bar Association’s website, www.highpointbarassociation.com, prior to the special meeting to assist members of the 24^th and 24H Judicial District Bars in evaluating the candidates.  Submission of the resume and statement are helpful, but not mandatory.

Speeches by Candidates:  Beginning at approximately 3:30 p.m., each candidate will be allowed three minutes, shared between themself and any nominator or endorser, to address the members present. To accommodate our members’ varying schedules, voting will be allowed before, during, and after the speeches.  We encourage you, however, to listen to the presentations of the candidates prior to voting.

Voting:  Voting shall be limited to those attorneys licensed to practice in North Carolina who are in attendance at the joint special meeting and are residents and members in good standing of either the 24th Judicial District Bar or the 24H Judicial District Bar.  An attorney is not authorized to vote if he or she practices in, but does not reside in, either district, although such individuals are still encouraged to attend the joint special meeting.1  Proxy voting is prohibited.

Each voting member of the 24^th and 24H Judicial District Bars shall be entitled to vote for up to five candidates for the judicial seat by secret, written ballot.  Ballots containing votes for more than five candidates will be disqualified, and cumulative voting is prohibited.2  Voting will close and counting of ballots will begin ten minutes after the conclusion of the candidates’ speeches. The five candidates receiving the highest number of votes cast will be the nominees to fill the District Court judicial vacancy.  In the event of a tie for fifth place, the names of the candidates involved in the tie shall be transmitted to Governor Stein, together with the names of the four other candidates receiving the highest number of votes.

Results of the Election:  The results of the election will be announced at the joint special meeting.  Following the meeting, we will transmit to Governor Stein the names of the five candidates (six if there is a tie for 5^th place) receiving the most votes, along with the number of votes for each.  The 24th Judicial District Bar and the 24H Judicial District Bar will be notified by e-mail of the results of the election, and the results will also be listed on the Greensboro Bar Association’s web site, www.greensborobar.org.

Please attend and vote at this important joint special election meeting.

Thank you.

Judge Bill Davis President, 24th Judicial District Bar PO Box 3008 Greensboro, NC 27402 William.B.Davis@nccourts.org

John F. Nieman President, 24H Judicial District Bar PO Box 235 Julian, NC 27283 Jfnieman32@gmail.com

Potential candidates seeking appointment to fill the District Court Judge seat upon Judge Fletcher’s retirement please take note of this additional information.  In addition to our Judicial District 24 and District 24H bar vote process (previously announced), candidates need to be aware that this seat will be on the ballot for election in November 2026, pursuant to NC Gen. Stat. 7A-142.  The Governor’s appointment will serve through December 31, 2026 and then the winner of the November election will serve the remainder of Judge Fletcher’s term (through 2028).  Please review the relevant statutes for full details.

Because the filing period has closed, the party nominees for the November election will be chosen by the executive committee for each of the political parties.  The party executive committees must select their nominees within seven calendar days of the vacancy occurring.  Judge Fletcher’s final day in office will be January 31, so the party executive committees will need to submit their nominations by February 7.

Candidates should contact party officials of their particular political affiliation ASAP for more details about their party’s executive committee nomination process.  Candidates who are not affiliated with a political party should consult NC Gen. Stat. secs. 7A-142(d)(2)b. and 163-122.

 

1. A current membership roster will be obtained from the North Carolina State Bar prior to the joint special meeting. If you recently transferred into either the 24th Judicial District or the 24-H Judicial District, please contact the North Carolina State Bar to make sure your information is current.

2. Cumulative voting consists of a member casting more than one vote for a single candidate.

The Community Involvement Committee is proud to announce the creation of the Robert C. Cone Community Involvement Society.  This will be for service outside of the service as contemplated by the rules of professional conduct.  Like the Herb Falk Society it will be based on service above 75 hours.

This award is named after deceased Greensboro lawyer and past GBA President Robert C. Cone.  He was a native of Greensboro. He lived his entire life there with the notable exceptions of a year spent on an Israeli kibbutz and the years he spent in Chapel Hill as a Morehead Scholar attending UNC (Class of 1974) and UNC School of Law (Class of 1978).

Bob and his wife, Sally, were law school classmates. They married a few weeks after sitting for the Bar Exam, beginning their 38 years as husband and wife. They welcomed their son, Sam, in 1981 and daughter, Laurie, in 1982.

He joined Tuggle Duggins, PA in 1986 and remained there for 31 years, actively practicing until just before his death.

Bob served the legal profession in numerous ways. He chaired the UNC Law Foundation Board, leading by example through his personal giving and participation in fundraising endeavors. He served as President of the Greensboro Bar Association (GBA) and the GBA Young Lawyers Section, as Chair of the GBA Fee Dispute Resolution Committee, and co-founder of the Herb Falk Society, which promotes pro bono service by GBA members. He served as President of the Guilford Inn of Court and as a preceptor at Elon Law School. Cone was elected as an 18th Judicial District Bar Councilor to the NC State Bar and served from 2010 until forced to step down due to  illness in 2016. Bob rarely said “no” when volunteers from the legal community were needed, as evidenced by his work on several GBA-sponsored Habitat for Humanity houses.

In 2011, Bob received the GBA Centennial Award, presented jointly by the North Carolina Bar Association and the Greensboro Bar Association. In 2016, he was honored with the State Bar’s John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award.

Bob was a lifelong member of Temple Emanuel, where he chaired the Education Committee, taught Hebrew School, and led the successful effort to save the Temple’s historic Greene Street location. He supported the Greensboro Jewish Federation in innumerable ways and was honored posthumously as a recipient of the Federation’s Benjamin Cone, Sr. Leadership Award. He and Sally served as hosts for Jewish refugees resettled in Greensboro from Baku, Azerbaijan. Bob served as a Trustee of the Jewish Foundation of Greensboro.

Within the broader community, Bob served as a Trustee of The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital (now Cone Health) for 20 years and chaired the Cone Health Foundation Board. He chaired the Greensboro Public Library Foundation Board and served as President of Rotary Club of Greensboro. He was an active Board member and supporter of Greensboro Urban Ministry. In 2016, Bob and Sally were honored as co-recipients of the North Carolina for Community and Justice Brotherhood/Sisterhood Citation Award for their “extraordinary efforts to combat bias, bigotry, and racism and create a more compassionate and respectful community for all of us.”

Report your hours HERE.  Report forms are due by March 31, 2025.

Read more about Robert C. Cone and his exemplary service HERE.

The legal profession is no stranger to change, but as we head into 2026, the pace and scope of that change feel different. Technology is reshaping daily practice, clients are rethinking value, and demographic shifts are forcing firms to confront questions they’ve put off for years.

Add in evolving business models and a new generation of lawyers with different expectations, and it’s clear that the practice of law looks meaningfully different than it did even five years ago.

These trends aren’t limited to large firms or coastal markets. They affect Greensboro Bar Association lawyers across practice areas and firm sizes – and they reward those who plan ahead.

Artificial Intelligence Is Now Part of the Job

Artificial intelligence is no longer a “future” issue. For many lawyers, it’s already part of everyday work. According to Clio’s Legal Trends Report, AI adoption among lawyers jumped dramatically from 19% in 2023 to 79% in 2024.

As Clio CEO Jack Newton said in the report, “AI has reached the level of adoption the cloud took a decade to obtain.”

Most lawyers aren’t using AI to replace legal judgment. Instead, they’re using it to support routine but time-consuming tasks such as research, first drafts of documents, summarizing information, and organizing data. Used properly, AI can free lawyers to spend more time on strategy, counseling, and decision-making.

What’s changed most recently is how firms are thinking about training. Some firms have recognized that AI competence doesn’t happen by accident. According to a November 2025 Reuters article, the global law firm Ropes & Gray, is allowing associates to devote 20% of billable time to “hands-on AI exploration”. This is dedicated time to learn and experiment with AI tools, understand their limitations, and think critically about ethical use. This approach treats AI as a professional skill, not a shortcut.

For Greensboro Bar lawyers, the message is clear, AI is becoming part of basic professional competence, and they need to understand the tools they’re using, and the risks that come with them.

Prediction: Greensboro Bar lawyers will see more AI CLE programs and more discussion among practitioners, “what AI tools are you using and finding helpful in your practice?”

The Billable Hour Is Under Pressure (Again)

As AI makes legal work more efficient, it also puts pressure on traditional billing models. When technology can significantly reduce the time needed for certain tasks, clients understandably question whether time-based billing still reflects value.

Many firms are seeing increased interest in flat fees, phased pricing, and other alternative fee arrangements. Clients want predictability and transparency, and they’re more willing than ever to compare providers based on those factors.

This doesn’t mean the billable hour is disappearing. But it does mean firms need to think carefully about when hourly billing makes sense and how it aligns with client expectations. In an AI-enabled practice, value is increasingly measured by outcomes, not time spent.

Predictions: More Greensboro Bar law firms will include alternative billing discussions as part of their 2026 annual law firm retreats and monthly partner meetings. If you are a Lawyers Mutual insured and you need a guest speaker or facilitator to help with these discussions, give us a call.

Private Equity Is Already Influencing Law Firms

Private equity in law firms is often framed as a debate about non-lawyer ownership. But that framing misses what’s actually happening. Even in jurisdictions like North Carolina, where non-lawyer ownership remains prohibited, private equity is already influencing the legal profession.

As Brooke Lively wrote in her January 2026 Attorney at Work article, “Mea Culpa: What I Got Wrong About Private Equity in Law Firms”, private equity’s impact shows up through alternative structures – those legal-adjacent businesses, technology vendors, managed services organizations, and affiliated entities that shape how firms operate. The more important question isn’t simply who owns the firm, but who controls key decisions.

Governance matters. Who sets growth goals? Who influences staffing, compensation, and client selection? These questions raise real ethical and risk-management concerns, even when formal ownership rules are followed.

Clients are also paying attention. Transparency in business relationships and financial influences is becoming part of client trust. In 2026, lawyers need to understand not just the rules, but how evolving business models intersect with professional responsibility.

Prediction: Greensboro Bar lawyers will follow with greater interest discussions around private equity and its influence on law practices. Follow Tom Lenfestey, CEO and founder of the Law Practice Exchange on LinkedIn for more information about law firm trends (as well as the buying / selling law firms process).

Succession Planning and Retirement Can’t Be Ignored

One of the most significant trends shaping the profession has nothing to do with technology. It’s demographics.

The total number of lawyers in the U.S. reached about 1.37 million in 2025, up from 1.35 million the prior year – the first growth since 2020 according to the American Bar Association.

Despite this growth, the overall expansion of the profession has slowed over the past decade. According to the ABA’s data, a substantial percentage of practicing lawyers are at or beyond traditional retirement age. Nearly 14% of all lawyers are age 65 or older, compared with about 7% of workers across all occupations. We know from personal experience that lawyers tend to work longer than professionals in many other fields, into their 70’s and even 80’s.

Despite this, succession planning is still often delayed. Many lawyers intend to “slow down eventually,” but without a concrete plan for transitioning clients, leadership, or ownership. When departures happen suddenly, the results can be painful – for clients, colleagues, and families.

In 2026, succession planning is less about exit and more about continuity. Phased retirement, mentoring, and intentional client transitions help protect firm value and reduce risk. Firms that treat succession planning as a core business issue, not a personal one, are far better positioned for long-term stability.

Prediction: Greensboro Bar lawyers will begin planning their own retirement at a much earlier stage than the generation ahead of them. If you are a Lawyers Mutual insured, reach out for a free 1-hour consultation with Camille to discuss succession planning, winding down, or selling your law practice.

Young Lawyers Are Rethinking Legal Careers

Younger lawyers are approaching their careers differently.

Law school applications suggest continued interest in the profession, but younger lawyers are far less likely to assume that success follows a single, traditional path. Many are open to alternative roles – legal tech, startups, in-house positions, or flexible practice models – if those roles offer meaningful work, learning opportunities, and a sustainable lifestyle.

Retention remains a challenge, driven by concerns about workload, mental health, and unclear career paths. Younger lawyers tend to value experiential learning, timely feedback, and opportunities to build practical skills early.

Technology plays a major role here. AI and other tools aren’t just productivity aids; they’re learning platforms. Firms that invest in structured training – like Ropes & Gray’s approach to AI skill development – send a clear message that they see young lawyers as long-term investments, not just billers.

For Greensboro firms, this doesn’t require a large-firm budget. It does require intention: mentoring, transparency about career progression, and opportunities for younger lawyers to develop skills that matter in modern practice.

Prediction: The Young Lawyer Section of the Greensboro Bar will play an even more important role in the life of young lawyers encouraging networking that furthers career growth, as well as education programs that prepare young lawyers for the leadership and substantive skills that will prepare them for the future.

The New Lawyer Skill Set

All of these trends point to a broader shift in what it means to be a competent lawyer. Legal knowledge remains essential, but it’s no longer enough on its own.

Today’s lawyers are expected to understand technology, communicate clearly with clients, manage risk, and adapt to change. Leadership, judgment, and business awareness matter at every career stage.

Bar associations, firms, and individual lawyers all have a role in supporting this evolution through education, mentoring, and thoughtful planning.

Prediction: The Greensboro Bar Association will begin a new strategic look toward the future – to make sure they are preparing lawyers for the legal marketplace that is unfolding before us.

Looking Ahead

The legal profession in 2026 is shaped by powerful, overlapping forces: AI, changing client expectations, evolving business models, demographic realities, and generational change. None of these trends exist in isolation.

For Greensboro Bar lawyers, the opportunity lies in preparation. Investing in technology competence, addressing succession planning early, and engaging younger lawyers intentionally can help firms and practitioners navigate change with confidence.

The future of the profession will belong to those who see these developments not as disruptions to resist, but as realities to understand, and opportunities to shape.

Camille Stell is the Vice President of Risk & Practice Management for Lawyers Mutual 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@lawyersmutualnc.com or 800.662.8843.

 

February 6 – YLS to Gargoyles Game, 7:00 PM

February 10 – GBA Board Meeting, 4:00 PM, Self-Help Building

February 12 – Real Property Section, 5:30 PM, Tuggle Duggins

February 18 – YLS Board Meeting, 12:00 PM, Self-Help Building

February 19 – GBA Member Lunch, 12:30 PM, Greensboro Country Club

Register for Member Lunch Here

February 20 – Submission Deadline for March Newsletter

February 25 – Special Election, 3:30 PM, Old Guilford County Courthouse

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March 10 – GBA Board Meeting, 4:00 PM, Self-Help Building

March 12 – Annual CLE Seminar, 8:30 AM, Zoom

Register for Annual CLE Here

March 18 – YLS Board Meeting, 12:00 PM, Self-Help Building

March 19 – GBA Member Lunch, 12:30 PM, Greensboro Country Club

March 20 – Submission Deadline for April Newsletter

 

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