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.
December 6 – Holiday Party, 5:30 PM, Elon Law
December 13 – GBA Board Meeting, 4:00 PM, Self Help Building
December 20 – YLS Board Meeting, 12:00 PM, CR Legal Team Office
December 20 – Submission Deadline for January Newsletter
Gerald L. Walden, Jr.
President of the Greensboro Bar Association
Hello GBA Members!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
The 2023 calendar year is quickly coming to a close. Before looking at December in terms of GBA events, I would like to take a quick look back at November. The month saw the official kickoff of the new Business/Corporate Law Section which you can learn more about elsewhere in this newsletter. We also continued our tradition of raising funds to provide books to the students of Jones Elementary School. GBA members even assisted students with their book selections through our participation in the school’s Book Fair.
Additionally, we had the pleasure of hearing from guest speaker Catherine Saunders Reach during our November member meeting discussing Generative AI and its growing impact on the legal community and the world. Some of you, like me until very recently, have been hesitant to learn more about this technology that has literally taken the world by storm over the last year. Therefore, at the very least, I recommend taking a look at the presentation materials shared with the membership following the meeting. Also, Ms. Reach shared that while individuals may decide not to personally use Generative AI, they should strive to understand general information about it.
Looking at December, I hope to see many of you at the GBA Holiday Party at Elon Law on December 6th. Please RSVP for this event which offers members a great opportunity to connect with each other during this holiday season.
Finally, amid legal pursuits, please take time this season to prioritize the priceless: family and friends. Embrace the holiday spirit, relish special moments together, and strive to create lasting memories. Your dedication is commendable, yet savoring time with loved ones enriches life beyond measure.
Gerald L. Walden, Jr.
President, Greensboro Bar Association 2023-2024
Elon Law School
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The book program at Jones Elementary School is a wonderful Greensboro Bar Association tradition! This year, GBA member donations will be used to allow the children in grades K-5 of the Traditional English program to select a book of their choice ($8 or less) at the school’s Book Fair, to be held the week after Thanksgiving. We will also provide a gift book for all “graduating” 5th graders in the spring, both in the Traditional English and Spanish Immersion programs. GBA volunteers are welcome to help children shop at the Book Fair this fall, and to deliver the 5th grade graduation books to the students next Spring.
Donate now online, or mail your check made payable to the Greensboro Bar Association Foundation, with “Elementary School Project” in the memo line, to:
Greensboro Bar Association Foundation
P.O. Box 1825
Greensboro, NC 27402
To volunteer or for more information, please contact Elementary School Project committee co-chairs Ashley Canupp or Erin Reis.
Donations are tax-deductible, with receipts sent to each donor. Thank you in advance for your continuing support – the children and teachers at Jones thank you too!
Service to others is one of the core values of the Greensboro Bar Association. In 1929, the GBA was established to encourage the assembly of its members for the transaction of business that furthers the public good and that maintains honor and dignity of the profession of law.
Although it is no secret that Judge Walker and Attorney Vaughan resemble the true meaning of those words from the GBA Constitution, they were certainly caught by surprise at GBA’s October 19th membership meeting when they were introduced and celebrated as the recipients of the GBA Distinguished Service Award. Having dedicated decades of gracious service to their communities, in various capacities, Judge Walker and Attorney Vaughan continue to commit themselves to the Greensboro community, its legal profession, and the GBA.
GBA President Gerald L. Walden, Jr. and NC Bar Association President, Patti Ramseur, honor Judge Ralph A. Walker with Distinguished Service Award
The Honorable Ralph A. Walker has demonstrated selfless service in many roles over the course of his lifetime. In his nearly sixty years of legal practice, he has served as a Guilford County solicitor, the Guilford County attorney, a partner of a private practice law firm, a Superior Court judge, and a judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Judge Walker is a veteran of the United States Army and North Carolina National Guard. He has been a public member of the NC Medical Board, is a past board member of the Greensboro Urban Ministry, was a member of the Greensboro Mental Health Association, and is actively involved in his church. It is apparent that Judge Walker has truly dedicated his life to serving the legal profession and his community.
GBA President Gerald L. Walden, Jr. and Judge A. Robinson (Robby) Hassell, honor Donald R. Vaughan with Distinguished Service Award
Attorney Donald R. Vaughan is a Greensboro native and Wake Forest University alumnus. From Eagle Scout to zealous legal advocate, it is without doubt that Attorney Vaughan has been committed to public service since a young age. Early in his career, his quest to serve led him to seek elective office—first being elected to an at-large position on the Greensboro City Council and ultimately serving two terms as Greensboro’s Mayor Pro Tempore. His term was followed by his election to the NC Senate for two terms. Attorney Vaughan’s private law practice over the last several decades has afforded him opportunities to help others, whether in the halls of traffic court or the cells of our prisons, where he has devoted time in post-conviction clemency matters. Attorney Vaughan is an adjunct professor at Wake Forest and Elon Law Schools. His presence in the community is one that illustrates the true meaning of selfless service, and it is a badge of service worn well.
Camille Stell
is President and CEO of Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or
The end of the year is barreling towards us – are you ready? If not, here are a few tips for tidying up the financial side of your law practice.
For many lawyers, financial management is the business area of practicing law that provides the most heartburn. It’s completely understandable. But it is to your own detriment that you don’t understand the financial fundamentals better. Hire financial advisors to aid you in better understanding your business. Too many lawyers delegate responsibility to employees who have not been properly trained.
Be aware of potential landmines. A major red flag is having one employee who has all financial responsibility: check writing, bookkeeping, trust account management, financial reconciliation, as well serves as the gatekeeper for all communication with your financial partners and bank. Checks and balances are key. Often, there is no ill intent on the part of the employee, just a lack of knowledge. If, as the owner, you do not understand the process, you will have a hard time finding the flaws in your system or properly supervising.
Brenda Barnes, law firm consultant and compensation expert, has this to say about law firm finance, “A good system of cash flow management can spell the difference between a successful business and a failed one. You need positive future cash flow to meet your debt commitments. Strong cash flow management also provides the ability to invest in growth. Getting to a position of excess cash flow helps your company operate in a strategic, proactive way, and can help keep you from operating on the defensive. Year end is an excellent time to document your cash flow, prepare a cash flow budget, and look for areas of improvement.”
Here is a checklist for law firms to strategically maximize profitability in 2024.
Continue to examine how the pandemic and current economic market has impacted your law firm.
Too often in our busy lives, we don’t take time for reflection. Schedule time to reflect on the current state and future of your firm. Ask your employees for input as their front-line communications with clients may reveal stresses or successes that don’t see from your point of view.
Use a year-end review to see how your law firm performed under pressure and to make the changes necessary to strengthen your practice. With an objective look back, you can plan for moving forward.
Camille Stell is the President of Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services and the co-author of the newly published 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.
YLS is dedicated to hosting at least one event each month. In September, we hosted our “kick off” event at Abbey Taphouse and planned our Fall Swearing-In Ceremony. The Swearing-In Ceremony took place on October 27, 2023, at the Old Guilford County Courthouse and we enjoyed the opportunity to welcome newly-licensed attorneys to the profession and to tell them about the GBA!
The YLS Board recently met with Assistant Principal Oneeka Lockhart to discuss the needs of Hunter Elementary School students and to discover ways we can serve this well-deserving school. We look forward to continuing our partnership with them this year!
On Thursday, September 28, 2023, YLS hosted a Kick-Off Party at Abbey Taphouse. We welcomed some familiar friends and welcomed some new faces! This was a successful networking and service event. Alongside the networking fun, we raised school supplies for Hunter Elementary School to be delivered in the following weeks.
Casey Robinson
Casey practices Family Law at Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson. She handles domestic matters such as child custody, child support, equitable distribution, alimony, and divorce cases in Guilford County, Randolph County, and Rockingham County here in North Carolina.
Casey’s favorite part about her job is being there to help people going through some of the toughest times of their lives. She states, “Navigating the legal process can be difficult, especially revolving around something as important as one’s family. My goal is to help people navigate the system, advocate for their needs, and work to a resolution that meets their goals.”
In November, YLS is hoping to host a “bowling night” social event. Stay tuned for details!
For more information about YLS events & service opportunities, follow us on Facebook: Greensboro Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section.
To provide feedback & suggestions for future events/programming, please email the Young Lawyers Section at info@greensboroyls.org.
The Young Lawyers Section would like to celebrate the personal milestones and professional accomplishments of it’s members. Email YLS at info@greensboroyls.org to share achievements that you would like celebrated on the YLS Facebook page.
Join the Real Estate Section for a great meal, drinks and discussion on the growing market for build-to-rent products with Eric Friedman, Build-to-Rent Development Manager with Crescent Communities. This meeting will be held at 5:30pm on November 9th at the office of Tuggle Duggins (400 Bellemeade Street, Suite 800). To make a reservation, please call Martha Bailey directly at 336.271.5202 or send an email to mbailey@tuggleduggins.com.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Jacob W. Parrott
Schell Bray PLLC
Adrianne Edmonds Poe
Madison L. Boyer
Tuggle Duggins P.A.
Michael J. Wenig
Allison M. Burke
Teague Rotenstreich Stanaland Fox & Holt, PLLC
Joshua C Rotenstreich
Mason P. Butner
Tuggle Duggins P.A.
Michael J. Wenig
Anupama Pal
Elon University School of Law
Alan D. Woodlief, Jr.
Cory A. Rayborn
Tuggle Duggins P.A.
Michael J. Wenig
Claire E. Thompson
Tuggle Duggins P.A.
Michael J. Wenig
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.
November 8 – GBA Board Meeting, 4:00 PM, Self Help Building
November 9 – Real Property Section Meeting, 5:30 PM, Tuggle Duggins
November 15 – YLS Board Meeting, 12:00 PM, CR Legal Team Office
November 16 – Member Lunch, 12:30 PM, Greensboro Country Club Register for GBA Lunch Here
November 20 – Submission Deadline for November Newsletter
Gerald L. Walden, Jr.
President of the Greensboro Bar Association
Hello GBA Members!
With this month being November and Thanksgiving fast approaching, I want to share something I am thankful for – the GBA.
The following events of the last two weeks have led me to reflect on when I first began my career as an attorney 22 years ago:
When reflecting on my early years, I realized that I was practicing law for nearly a decade in Greensboro before connecting with the GBA. As someone who went in-house directly after my clerkship, there really was no business need for me to engage with local attorneys since literally none of the matters I worked on were tied to the Triad area. Nevertheless, I am thankful to former GBA president, Afi Johnson-Parris, for personally reaching out and asking me to join the GBA. Since that time, I have enjoyed my membership in the GBA immensely – developing personally and professionally along the way.
I’ll close with a portion of the remarks I shared during the swearing-in ceremony I mentioned above; remarks I wish I had heard earlier in my legal career:
New lawyers, you are joining a legal community that, while adversarial at times when defending and advocating for clients, is quite collegial and wants to see you succeed as your success is a win for the profession. Never is that more evident than through the members of the Greensboro Bar Association. . . . It has been a place where I have found mentors and mentees, been given and offered advice, received opportunities to give back to my community and take on leadership roles, and simply connected with like-minded individuals who have become great colleagues and friends.
Gerald L. Walden, Jr.
President, Greensboro Bar Association 2023-2024
Charles F Royster III
Charles F Royster III
Endorser: Sarah H. Roane
Jeremiah Kwame Opata
City of Greensboro
Endorser: Polly D. Sizemore
Courtney Bachman
Deuterman Law Group
Endorser: Daniel L. Deuterman
Alexander Dawson III
District Attorney’s Office
Endorser: Randle L. Jones
James Patrick Ellington
Elon University School of Law
Endorser: Peter R. Lamm
M. Gray Styers, Jr.
Fox Rothschild LLP
Endorser: Amy S. Klass
Jason Francis Hicks
Guilford County Attorney’s Office
Endorser: Andrea Leslie-Fite
Taylor Squires
Kreider Attorneys at Law
Endorser: Jonathan G. Kreider
Lance W. Behnke
Lance W. Behnke
Endorser: Susan Liemer
Christopher C. Barnes
Law Firm Carolinas
Endorser: Carole R. Albright
Jordan Terry
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Endorser: Janet McAuley-Blue
Camila Rivadeneira
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Endorser: Emily V. Carico
Dara Longoria
McKinney Immigration Law
Endorser: Sarah H. Roane
Mary Jean Charlene Segal
Not Your Average Law Firm
Endorser: Melissa A. Duncan
Raven C. Ash
Revolution Law Group
Endorser: Karen McKeithen Schaede
Jesse Offchiss
Schell Bray PLLC
Endorser: Andrew D. Steffensen
Beth Harshman
Endorser: Sarah H. Roane
Joel R. White
Fox Rothschild LLP
Endorser: Lisa M. Williford
John W. Cox
John W. Cox, Attorney at Law, PLLC
Endorser: Carole R. Albright
The Membership Committee (Judge Bill Davis and Sarah Roane) needs your help! In an effort to encourage new members to participate in the GBA’s programming and meet other members, we are once again initiating the Welcome Wagon program where we pair existing members with new members who are attending their first lunch or dinner meeting. Your participation would involve contacting the new member to introduce yourself and make arrangements to meet at the meeting, as well as taking the new member around during the social hour to introduce them to other members. If the new member prefers, you could also sit with them during the meeting. You would not be expected to be available for every meeting, you would just be volunteering to be in a pool of folks who we would reach out to as needed to see if a pairing could be made.
If you would like to participate, please reach out to Sarah Roane at sarahroane@gmail.com.
June 23, 1941 – September 14, 2023
James (Jim) Barnes Weeks, age 82, died peacefully on September 14, 2023, following a courageous battle against cancer. He was born in Sampson County, North Carolina, on June 23, 1941, and throughout his remarkable life, touched the hearts of many.
Jim’s journey was one of dedication, resilience, connection and fun. Jim graduated as valedictorian from Hobbton High School, then graduated in 1963 from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in political science. Although he initially did not pursue the study of law, he began building his family’s foundation and relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1965. It was there that he embarked on a highly successful career as a salesman for Scientific Products. However, Jim’s true passion beckoned, and in 1976 he graduated from the UNC School of Law, fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming an attorney. He and a classmate, Joe Turner, established a successful law practice in Greensboro. Throughout his 46-year career, Jim helped countless individuals in achieving their dreams of home ownership and developing their estate plans, while assisting those in need. He spent much time volunteering with several organizations in Greensboro, while finding great joy in being an active part of the community. Jim also had a fun, quick wit. He was beloved at the courthouse and an admired mentor for countless law students.
A dedicated member of West Market Streeet United Methodist Church, Jim found purpose in teaching Sunday School. He was an avid Tar Heel fan, and seldom missed a game. He also had a zest for travel and, at the age of 60, took up the game of golf with enthusiasm.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, James and Louise (Sutton) Weeks, his wife, Linda Willis Weeks, his son-in-law Toby Skemp, and his cherished friend, Matt Hunoval.
He is survived by his four devoted daughters: Lisa Weeks (Jay Cole), Lori Boldt (Terry), Kelley Tucker (Steven), and Shelley Roupas-Cantrell (Todd). He is also survived by his sister, Sylvia Cox, and nephews Alan Cox and Ken Cox (Samantha), and several grandchildren: Jack, Luke, Liz, and Patrick Boldt; Mackenzie and Austin Tucker; Thomas and David Roupas; and McLaren and Baxter Cantrell, as well as nieces Lindley and Kate.
Carruthers & Roth, P.A. announced today that three of the firm’s attorneys have been named Best Lawyers® 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” in their respective practice areas in the Triad area. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated metropolitan area is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making this accolade particularly significant.
June L. Badsen
June L. Basden is both an attorney and a Certified Public Accountant with over 35 years of experience in commercial finance and insolvency law. She represents national, regional and community banks, financial institutions and commercial lenders in a variety of finance transactions, with a special focus on commercial lending and creditors’ rights.
June was also listed in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for her work in Commercial Finance Law and Commercial Transactions / UCC Law. She was previously recognized by Best Lawyers as Triad Commercial Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in 2021 & 2023, among other esteemed recognitions.
J. Scott Dillon
J. Scott Dillon is the senior attorney in Carruthers & Roth’s Business, Tax and Estates department. He has a broad-based business, corporate, and transactional practice that includes handling personal and estate-related matters for the owners and their families. Scott has 40 years of experience dealing with legal issues affecting businesses and counseling with business owners on such matters, as well as drafting and negotiating business contracts.
Scott was also listed in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Corporate Law, and Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, and was previously recognized by Best Lawyers as Triad Employee Benefits (ERISA) “Lawyer of the Year” for 2021 & 2023, among other esteemed recognitions.
Richard L. Vanore
Richard L. Vanore is a 50-year litigator experienced in professional malpractice, health law, personal injury, commercial disputes and other areas of civil litigation. Richard is also certified by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission to conduct Mediated Settlement Conferences in Superior Court cases and utilizes his litigation experience to assist conflicting parties in resolving their disputes through effective facilitation.
Richard was also listed in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his work in Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants.
Carruthers & Roth also recently announced that 12 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to 2024 Best Lawyers and four additional attorneys were named to the 2024 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America lists.
Ron Johnson
GBA member and Carruthers & Roth attorney Ron Johnson has been inducted into the North Carolina Bar Association’s Legal Practice Hall of Fame – a recognition honoring outstanding lawyers who exhibit the highest standards of ethics, professional competency, and service to both the bar and the community.
The award was announced during the June annual meeting of the North Carolina Bar Association, and an induction ceremony was held on September 14.
Davis McDonald, a Carruthers & Roth colleague who nominated Johnson for the award, says he clearly meets the Hall of Fame criteria.
“During his nearly five decades as an attorney, Ron has become well known in Guilford County and beyond for his knowledge, work ethic and generosity,” McDonald says. “He has become a trusted advisor to thousands of loyal clients and to a wide range of civic groups and charities.”
At Carruthers & Roth, Johnson works closely with clients on matters involving estate planning, estate administration, business law and nonprofit corporations. He is board certified in estate planning and probate law and is a former board member and past president of the Greensboro Estate Planning Council. He also has been repeatedly recognized by Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” — ranked by his peers for his excellence in tax and estate planning.
In addition to his commitment to his profession, Johnson is well-known for his commitment to the broader community. He has been honored by many charitable and civic organizations for his service, including the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, Family Services of the Piedmont, Triad Health Project, Guilford Green Foundation, the Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood, AuthoraCare Collective, Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro, and Greensboro Commission on the Status of Women.
Before joining Carruthers & Roth, Johnson was a founding member of Johnson Peddrick & McDonald, a Greensboro-based law firm. He and his partners joined Carruthers & Roth in 2021.
Jonathan Wall
Higgins Benjamin attorney Jonathan “Jon” Wall was named to the 2023 Power List of Employment Lawyers in North Carolina. This year, North Carolina Lawyers Weekly recognized 25 lawyers throughout the State on the Power List of Employment Lawyers. Jon also currently serves as the co-chair of the Greensboro Bar Association’s Pro Bono Committee.
Wall’s practice includes wage & hour class actions, WARN Act class actions, noncompetition agreement litigation, discrimination, and wrongful discharge in violation of public policy. For more information, go to https://nclawyersweekly.com/2023/08/23/power-list-employment-2023/.
Of employment law, Wall said “The law is more fluid and developing than in some other legal pursuits, and interesting legal questions are raised in almost every case.”
Abigail C. Seymour
Camino Law, a bilingual women-owned family law firm, is honored to announce that its founder and GBA member, attorney Abigail C. Seymour, has been selected to participate in the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program.
One of 170 entrepreneurs nationwide chosen for the program’s National Cohort, Seymour will engage in highly specialized training designed by the banking and investment company, in collaboration with Babson College, designed to empower small businesses around the country.
Seymour, a second-career attorney who graduated from Elon University School of Law in Greensboro at age 50, founded Camino Law in 2019. Her all-female firm is one of the few bilingual family law firms in the Triad. (Seymour herself is fluent in Spanish after living in Spain in her 20s, and the majority of her staff are native Spanish-speakers.) The firm’s name derives from her experience walking the 500-mile Camino de Santiago across Spain in 1995.
Now with a staff of 7, and having tripled revenue since 2020, Camino Law is known for its innovative approach to the traditional law firm experience. “Many of our clients are parents, and often have to bring their kids to the office, so we have a bright and cheerful playroom for them and a Little Free Library,” says Seymour. The entire office, a converted Victorian house near Blandwood Mansion, is decorated with artwork, some of it by Seymour, a former photographer and artist. “We represent and advocate for our clients, and sometimes that means helping them avoid litigation entirely. Overall, we want to let them know that our number one priority in everything we do is for the best interests of their children,” says Seymour.
As part of the highly competitive 12-week Goldman Sachs program, which is offered to participants for free, Seymour will join other entrepreneurs in 120 hours of training and mentorship in key areas such as business strategy, financial management, marketing, and leadership development. In addition to the invaluable knowledge gained from the curriculum, Camino Law’s participation will also grant access to a vast network of peers, industry experts, and mentors who will provide guidance and support throughout the journey.
“Camino Law remains committed to helping families stay out of court, stay friends and raise happier kids,” says Seymour. “Goldman Sachs’ program will help us to scale and grow in a way that will allow us to assist even more families in focusing on the well-being of their children rather than battling each other in court. Our participation in this program aligns perfectly with our long-term vision for success. We are excited about the possibilities this program offers and look forward to sharing the benefits with our clients, employees, and the community.”
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The information is provided by the Greensboro Bar Association and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, members, legal professions featured or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
Physical Address:
Greensboro Bar Association
24th Judicial District Bar
122 North Elm Street, Suite 805
Greensboro, NC 27402
(336) 378-0300
Mailing Address:
Greensboro Bar Association
24th Judicial District Bar
PO Box 1825
Greensboro, NC 27402
