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.
Kit E. Kniss
Church World Service Greensboro
Caregory: Newly Licensed
Endorser: Sarah H. Roane
Tyson Child
Guilford County District Attorney’s Office
Caregory: Newly Licensed
Endorser: Sarah H. Roane
Gaaron U. Goldsmith
Carruthers & Roth, P.A.
Caregory: Newly Licensed
Endorser: Jeremy S. Shrader
Troy C. Reid
Carruthers & Roth, P.A.
Caregory: Newly Licensed
Endorser: Robert N. Young
November 5 – Business & Corporate Law Section Social, 5:00 PM, Joymongers
November 12 – Ethics Lunch & Learn, 12:00 PM, Zoom
November 12 – GBA Board Meeting, 4:00 PM, Self-Help Building
November 13 – Real Property Section, 5:30 PM, Tuggle Duggins
November 19 – YLS Board Meeting, 12:00 PM, Self-Help Building
November 20 – GBA Member Lunch, 12:30 PM, Greensboro Country Club
December 1 – Outstanding Young Lawyer Award Nominations Due
December 9 – GBA Board Meeting, 4:00 PM, Zoom
December 9 – Holiday Party, 5:30 PM, Barber Park Event Center
December 19 – YLS Board Meeting, 12:00 PM, Self-Help Building
December 31 – GBA Foundation Fellows Nominations Due
Hon. Bill Davis,
President of the Greensboro Bar Association
A few years back, I was with some friends, and one raised a question for fun discussion: if you’re stranded on a deserted island with 30 people, what are the things that you’d work on first? Naturally, some of the friends were focusing on getting shelter in place, finding food, and similar initial concerns. But the first answer that came to me was: “Deciding how we’ll make decisions and work together as a group.” You can imagine that this answer was promptly razzed by others in the discussion.
Although it’s not the answer that may come first to mind for many people, it is an essential early step. Absent a shared understanding of how decisions will be made, the group risks wasting time on unnecessary conflicts and avoidable disagreements. Some people in the group may be treated unfairly. The group may fracture and be unable to work together at all.
This demonstrates what I see as the most fundamental importance of our profession in the law. The law is our collective process for making decisions and ensuring that people adhere to them. Predictable and consistent laws and legal processes provide people with the fundamental tools necessary to order and plan their lives. They let us know how to form and plan families, what freedoms and protections we have, how we may own and utilize property, how we may enter and maintain contracts, how we can uphold our responsibilities to others, how to seek redress if they do not uphold their responsibilities to us, and so much more. The law is the foundation for an ordered society.
There are many reasons to be proud of a career in the law, but this is the most important of them. However, the significance of this purpose carries equally significant responsibility. We must ensure, both individually and collectively, that we are attentive to this high purpose and our part in it. This is not only true in our legal practice, but also in our work as leaders in the community.
In March of 2025, with the guidance of President Manisha Patel, the Greensboro Bar Association adopted a Statement in Support of the Rule of Law. I hope that all of you have read it, and that each of you supports the major themes that it states on behalf of our organization (echoing statements from other bar organizations). As stated so eloquently in that letter is the principle that “the rule of law is the bedrock of American democracy, ensuring that laws are applied fairly, rights are protected, and justice is accessible to all.”
This is not a statement for or against any political party or official; it is a restatement of an essential principle of an ordered society – one which lawyers are uniquely positioned and responsible to protect. I am grateful to President Patel and proud that GBA remains committed to stand in support of the role that the rule of law plays in our lives. This is not only our profession and our livelihood, but also our duty.
If you have not read the GBA’s statement, you can view it at the following web address: https://www.greensborobar.org/frontpage-article/statement-from-the-gba-in-support-of-the-rule-of-law/
Hon. Bill Davis
President, Greensboro Bar Association
and the 24th Judicial District Bar
WE ARE HIRING!
OR
Send resume to: hannah@sklawnc.com
Allie Petrova
Petrova Law is honored to announce that GBA member Allie Petrova has been re-elected to serve as Council Director of the American Bar Association Section of Taxation. Allie Petrova has been an active member of the ABA Tax Section since 2011.
The Council is the governing body of the ABA Tax Section, and Council Directors are responsible for directing the work of the various committees of the Section as well as providing comments to the Internal Revenue Service on behalf of the ABA.
Petrova’s commitment to excellence in the legal profession is highlighted by service as Chair of the Closely Held Business Committee of the ABA Tax Section. She currently serves on the ABA Tax Section’s Publications and Nominating Committees. She is a John S. Nolan Fellow and has served as a speaker on ABA Tax panels since 2017. Petrova previously served as Chair of the Tax Section of the North Carolina Bar Association.
Earlier this year, Chambers and Partners USA 2025 recognized and ranked the firm’s Tax department and Allie Petrova in Band 2 for Tax in North Carolina.
Don Vaughan
Attorney Don Vaughan received the John B. McMillan Award for Distinguished Service from the North Carolina State Bar Association. It is the only award given by the State Bar. The award was presented at the September meeting of the Greensboro Bar.
Vaughan served Greensboro for seven terms as a member of the Greensboro City Council and two terms as Mayor Pro Tem. He served two terms in the State Senate and was Deputy Leader in the State Senate.
Vaughan has practiced law for over forty years and is an Adjunct Professor of State and Local Government at Wake Forest School of Law.
As we work to plan this year’s CLE offerings, the CLE Committee is requesting your feedback on topics for future CLEs. Please take a moment to let us know what topics or practice areas you would like to see in the CLE programming this year.
Click on https://form.jotform.com/252639069362060 to complete the survey.
The CLE Committee appreciates your feedback. Thank you.
Please consider nominating a colleague for the Centennial Award this year.
The Centennial Award, co-sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association, recognizes a Greensboro Bar Association member who has provided outstanding and exemplary community service. Recent awardees include Gerald L. Walden, Jr., Michael S. Fox, D. Erik Albright, and Kimberly Bullock Gatling.
Nominations for the Centennial Award are due on October 31, 2025, and can be submitted https://form.jotform.com/252334670933155. The Centennial Award will be presented at the January GBA meeting.
You may review a list of past recipients at https://www.greensborobar.org/for-members/member-resources/awards/.
Please contact Awards Committee Co-chair Jennifer Mencarini with questions.
Camille Stell is Vice President of Risk & Practice Management for Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Co. of NC. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or 800.662.8843.
Legal malpractice continues to evolve alongside technological, demographic, and societal shifts. The 2025 ABA Lawyers Professional Liability Spring Conference highlighted key national trends that every law firm should be watching. From the impact of aging populations to the growing role of artificial intelligence, the following are examples of the most pressing developments influencing claims in the legal profession today.
Recent surveys, including one by Ames & Gough, confirm that legal malpractice claims continue to arise most frequently from three practice areas:
These areas inherently involve complex, high-stake matters where even small errors can lead to substantial financial consequences. In fact, despite claims frequency holding steady, 2023 – 2024 saw legal malpractice payouts hit an all-time high. Some insurers reported individual claim payouts exceeding $100 million.
Cybersecurity continues to pose serious challenges for the legal sector. Social engineering, wire fraud, and related cybercrimes are not yesterday’s issues—they remain today’s threats and are expected to persist into the future. As law firms handle sensitive client information and manage large financial transactions, the need for robust cybersecurity protocols has never been greater.
Lawyers Mutual continues to see law firms with no cyber security insurance coverage, no systems in place to guard against cyber threats, and risky behavior by attorneys and staff resulting in cyber-attacks on law firms in North Carolina.
We have many risk management resources on our website, visit lawyersmutualnc.com. Talk with Adam Pierce at our subsidiary, Lawyers Insurance, to get a quote on cyber coverage.
The demographic shift created by aging baby boomers, known as the “silver tsunami”, is expected to reshape legal needs and malpractice risk. With 63 million Americans currently aged 61 to 79 and baby boomers holding over 50% of the nation’s home equity, the potential for legal disputes involving estate planning, property, and wealth management is increasing. Adding to this is the unprecedented $84 trillion wealth transfer underway, making meticulous attention to trust and estate planning more crucial than ever.
The pandemic-induced shift to remote and hybrid work has redefined the legal workplace. While many attorneys appreciate the flexibility, remote work presents unique liability risks in areas such as:
I’m a firm believer that remote and hybrid work can be done safely. As the profession continues to adapt to these new models, firms must redesign their professional management structure to meet the challenges of the modern world and remain vigilant in maintaining high standards of practice and ethical conduct.
Conflicts of interest remain the top cause of legal malpractice claims, as confirmed by the latest Ames & Gough survey. These claims are particularly difficult to defend due to the ambiguity of lawyer conduct and the burden of proving professional default. Once a conflict is established, it can heavily influence how a jury interprets otherwise ambiguous actions – a significant legal vulnerability.
AI has quickly moved from concept to practical application in the legal profession. Already, AI tools are being used to:
While AI offers efficiencies, it also brings new risks around competence, confidentiality, and ethical boundaries. As its use grows, so does the potential for malpractice claims tied to its deployment.
For solo and small law firms, AI represents not just a challenge but a powerful opportunity. These firms can take meaningful steps to explore and embrace AI by starting with education – attending CLEs, webinars, or bar-sponsored workshops on legal tech. Developing a simple, thoughtful AI policy can help firms stay ahead of regulatory expectations and ethical obligations.
Solo and small firms should also evaluate available tools tailored to their size and practice areas, including AI-powered research tools, practice management platforms, and document automation solutions. Many of these tools offer free trials and low-cost entry points. By approaching AI with curiosity and intention, small firms can improve efficiency, serve clients more effectively, and remain competitive in a fast-changing legal landscape.
Clio has some excellent educational resources on AI – visit Law Firm AI Policy Template, Tips & Examples | Clio. Clio also offers a free AI fundamentals certification – perfect for the legal assistants, paralegals, and young lawyers in your firms – The Legal AI Fundamentals Certification | Free Video Course | Clio.
The legal landscape is being shaped by an array of forces: demographic changes, technological innovation, evolving work models, and persistent ethical pitfalls. Awareness and proactive risk management are key to helping lawyers navigate this environment and minimize exposure to claims.
Lawyers Mutual remains committed to providing resources, education, and support to help North Carolina attorneys adapt and thrive in this ever-changing profession. Call us to schedule a consultation, a lunch and learn, or a law firm retreat presentation.
Camille Stell is Vice President of Risk & Practice Management for Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Co. of NC and is the co-author of the book, RESPECT – An Insight to Attorney Compensation Plans, 2nd Edition published October 2024. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@lawyersmutualnc.com or 800.662.8843.
Jonathan Parisi is President of the Greensboro Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section and Attorney at Spangler Estate Planning
On September 17, 2025, the YLS held its monthly executive board meeting to revisit its goals for the year and its commitment to providing various programming, service-related, and social opportunities for its members. In addition to fostering strong relationships with its current partners, like Hunter Elementary School and Greensboro Urban Ministry, the executive board discussed additional opportunities to connect and build relationships with other organizations in our community. Be on the lookout for more exciting information about how YLS is broadening its impact!
If you are an attorney under forty years of age or have been practicing for less than five years, we would love to connect with you! If you have questions about YLS or how to get involved, please reach out to any board member or contact us at younglawyerssection@greensborobar.org.
On September 25, 2025, the YLS kicked off the 2025–2026 bar year with its annual “Kick-Off” event at The Abbey Taphouse, bringing together newly admitted attorneys and fellow legal professionals for an evening of networking and community building. The event offered attendees a chance to connect, learn about upcoming YLS initiatives, and get involved in the year ahead. With strong attendance and a welcoming atmosphere, the kick-off was a great success and set the tone for an exciting year of programming and engagement.
Photo courtesy of Elon University School of Law
Each year, the Young Lawyers Section sponsors a Fall Swearing-In Ceremony for the admission of newly licensed attorneys to the state and federal courts. This year, the Young Lawyers Section is hosting its Fall Swearing-In Ceremony on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 3:00 p.m.
The ceremony will be held in the Board Chambers Room on the 2nd floor of the Old Guilford County Courthouse, located at 301 W. Market St., Greensboro, NC 27401.
We welcome the support and attendance of GBA members at the swearing-in ceremony to support our newly licensed attorneys. If you are a newly licensed attorney, or you know a newly licensed attorney that may want to participate, please email Jonathan M. Parisi for application materials. Applications are due by October 10, 2025.
Hunter Amos
Hunter is an Associate Attorney at Tuggle Duggins P.A. and practices corporate law. A large part of his practice is focused on mergers and acquisitions. He also drafts and reviews contracts, sets up business entities, assists clients with their corporate structure, and other legal business issues.
What advice would you give to law students or new lawyers?
The best advice I would give to new lawyers is to make yourself available and open to new projects even if it may not be exactly what you want to practice. Do not be afraid to ask questions even if you think it is an easy question—if you never ask, you may never know.
What’s a fun or surprising fact people might not know about you?
A surprising fact people may not know about me is that I did software consulting for about five years after undergrad before I decided to go to law school. Stopping that career and going to law school full time was the best career decision I have made thus far.
To provide feedback & suggestions for future events/programming, please email the Young Lawyers Section at younglawyerssection@greensborobar.org.
The Young Lawyers Section would like to celebrate the personal milestones and professional accomplishments of its members. Email YLS at younglawyerssection@greensborobar.org to share achievements that you would like celebrated on our social media platform and in the GBA’s member newsletter!
Caroline A. DeCarvalho
Bovis, Kyle, Burch & Medlin, LLC
Category: Newly Licensed
Endorser: Camilla F. DeBoard
Brooks Duane Godbold
Revolution Law Group
Category: Newly Licensed
Endorser: Karen McKeithen Schaede
Martin McAullife
Elon University School of Law
Category: Regular
Endorser: Patricia C. Perkins
Joseph Michael Korin
Bagwell, Holt, Smith P.A.
Category: Newly Licensed
Endorser: Andrea L. Davis
Leigh Trigilio
Category: Regular
Endorser: Marc E. Trigilio
Stacey Dawn Rubain
Office of the Federal Public Defender
Category: Public Service
Endorser: Ames C. Chamberlin-
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.
October 1 – Mix & Mingle, 5:30 PM, Grapes & Grains
October 1 – Pro Bono Award Nominations Submission Deadline
October 7 – GBA Board Meeting, 4:00 PM, Self-Help Building
October 15 – YLS Board Meeting, 12:00 PM, Self-Help Building
October 16 – GBA Member Lunch, 12:30 PM, Greensboro Country Club
October 17 – Swearing-in Ceremony, 3:00 PM, Old Guilford County Courthouse
October 31 – Centennial Award Nominations Submission Deadline
November 12 – GBA Board Meeting, 4:00 PM, Self-Help Building
November 13 – Real Property Section, 5:30 PM, Tuggle Duggins
November 19 – YLS Board Meeting, 12:00 PM, Self-Help Building
November 20 – GBA Member Lunch, 12:30 PM, Greensboro Country Club
Hon. Bill Davis,
President of the Greensboro Bar Association
Greetings, friends!
Last month, I shared a few thoughts on why we have the Greensboro Bar Association and why it remains such an important organization. This month, I’d like to follow up with some reflections on how we come together to make the GBA the best it can be. Once we’ve clarified our purpose, the next step is to turn those ideas into action.
At the heart of this effort is participation. We live in a time when attendance at civic and professional organizations is declining across the board. Many of us have faced that familiar internal debate: Should I attend this bar event, or should I catch up on work—or just head home and relax? I’ll admit, there have been moments when I’ve seen a GBA event on my calendar and thought, “Do I really need to go to this?” Without exception, every single time I’ve shown up, I’ve been glad I did. Whether it’s hearing from an engaging speaker, learning from a CLE, contributing to a service project, or reconnecting with friends and colleagues, there’s always value in showing up. I hope your experiences have been just as rewarding, and that I’ll continue to see many of you at our GBA events!
Of course, these events and meetings don’t come together by accident. Behind the scenes, our outstanding Board, committee chairs, and section leaders are hard at work planning programs designed to offer something meaningful for every member. If you’re looking for a way to expand your involvement, I encourage you to consider joining a committee (Committee Description and Sign-Up) or section (Section Description and Sign-Up). It’s a great opportunity to shape the kinds of programs and events that will have the most impact for you and others. If you’re interested, please reach out to me or to Diane Lowe; we’d be happy to help you find the right fit.
Finally, the strength of GBA lies in its membership. One of the key purposes I highlighted last month was our commitment to serving the community. As individuals our impact is limited, but as a group our reach is far greater. Other goals, such as fostering community and mutual support, also depend on having an engaged and diverse membership. If you’re reading this, you’re likely already a member and actively involved, but you may know colleagues who aren’t. I encourage you to invite them to an event, introduce them to the GBA, and share why you’ve chosen to be part of this organization. By continuing to grow our membership, we ensure GBA remains a dynamic and effective organization that makes important contributions to our profession and our community!
Thank you for all that you do to support the GBA. I look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Hon. Bill Davis
President, Greensboro Bar Association
and the 24th Judicial District Bar
|
OFFICE |
NAME |
|
President |
Hon. Bill Davis |
|
President-Elect |
Abigail E. Peoples |
|
Secretary |
Hillary M. Kies |
|
Treasurer |
Davis McDonald |
|
Immediate Past President |
Manisha P. Patel |
|
Director (2026) 1st |
Hon. Robby Hassell |
|
Director (2026) 1st |
Frankie T. Jones, Jr. |
|
Director (2026) 1st |
Angela F. Liverman |
|
Director (2027) 2nd |
Hon. Michelle Fletcher |
|
Director (2027) 2nd |
Nicole R. Scallon |
|
Director (2027) 2nd |
L. Nicole Patino |
|
Director (2028) 1st |
Elizabeth R. Robertson |
|
Director (2028) 1st |
Jonathan Wall |
|
Director (2028) 1st |
Margaret A. Dudley |
|
Elon Law Faculty Liaison |
Kristen Covington |
|
High Point Bar Liaison |
Nicole Patino |
|
Judicial Liaison |
Hon. Tonia Cutchin |
|
Business/Corporate Law |
Ben Edwards |
|
Family Law |
TBD |
|
Real Property |
TBD |
|
Young Lawyers |
Jonathan M. Parisi |
|
Administrator |
Diane Lowe |
|
OFFICE |
NAME |
|
Awards and Recognitions |
Jennifer Mencarini |
|
Hon. Patrice Hinnant |
|
|
CLE (Lunch & Learns) |
Margaret Dudley |
|
Lisa Williford |
|
|
Community Involvement |
Jason Hicks |
|
Co-chair Needed |
|
|
Elementary School Project |
Erin Reis |
|
Adam Kerr |
|
|
Elizabeth Robertson |
|
|
GBA Summer Law Connect |
Frankie Jones |
|
History and Archives |
Mark Gaylord |
|
Larry Moore |
|
|
Holiday Party |
Rosetta Davidson Davis |
|
Jennifer Bowden |
|
|
Legal Aid Fundraiser |
Emily Carico |
|
Jeanna Cooper |
|
|
Membership |
Sarah Roane |
|
Alicia Edwards |
|
|
Memorials |
Richard Gabriel |
|
Mentoring |
Jeffrey Jones |
|
Co-chair Needed |
|
|
Newsletter/Social Media |
Preston Edwards |
|
Co-chair Needed |
|
|
Nominating |
Manisha P. Patel |
|
Pro Bono |
Jon Wall |
|
Theodora Vaporis |
|
|
Scholarship |
Sarah Rozek |
|
Alex Snow |
|
|
Sponsorships |
Manisha P. Patel |
|
Nicole Scallon |
|
|
Centennial Celebration |
Nicole Scallon |
|
Hon. Robby Hassell |
|
|
GBA Foundation |
Jason Hicks |
All members are invited to serve on a Greensboro Bar Association committee.https://form.jotform.com/252364138305150
Awards & Recognitions – Researches and makes recommendations to the Executive Board for annual awards, award recipients, and member recognitions.
Centennial Celebration – Plans event(s) to commemorate the GBA’s 100th anniversary in 2029.
CLE – Plans and presents the GBA’s CLE programs; expands and enhances the number of CLE offerings of GBA.
Community Involvement – Recommends community service projects to the Association to adopt and runs such projects.
Elementary School Project – Arranges a program or project for benefit of students to enhance interest in learning; coordinates the elementary book drive where students are gifted a book at the holidays.
History & Archives – Conducts interviews with senior members of the Association; preserves GBA history and records.
Holiday Party – Decides on venue, menus, prizes and entertainment for the annual holiday party.
Legal Aid Fundraiser – Identifies a fundraiser project to benefit Legal Aid of NC, and organizes the event.
Membership – Recruits, retains, and engages members; focuses on participation by young lawyers; coordinates Welcome Wagon onboarding; plans Mix & Mingles.
Mentoring – Plans networking activities that pair newly licensed and veteran attorneys.
Newsletter/Print & Social Media – Edits the monthly newsletter; submits press releases.
Nominating – Presents a slate of candidates for new officers and directors for the upcoming year, to be presented to the Executive Committee in March, published in the newsletter, and voted on at the April Annual Meeting of the Association.
Pro Bono – Publicizes pro bono opportunities to the membership; recognizes Herb Falk Society inductees; works with Legal Aid on pro bono projects.
Scholarships (Elon Law) – Evaluates applicants for eligibility and worthiness, assessing achievements, academic record, and letters of recommendation in order to identify the most deserving applicant(s).
Summer Law Connect – Plans summer mixers for members and law students with placements at law firms, public employers and corporate legal departments located in Guilford County.
Sign up by clicking on https://form.jotform.com/252364138305150
The GBA’s membership committee cordially invites you to a social gathering on Wednesday, October 1st from
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Grapes & Grains, A Speakeasy Tavern, 2001 Yanceyville Street, located under the historic smokestacks of Revolution Mill!
Your first drink is on the GBA, and we will have light hors d’oeuvres to share with the group!
Help us grow our membership by introducing local attorneys to all that the GBA has to offer. Members who bring a prospective new member will be entered into a raffle for a special prize!
We look forward to an evening of fun and fellowship under the stacks!
Jonathon Woodruff
Jonathon Woodruff has been named a partner at Law Firm Carolinas, which has five offices in North and South Carolina. A graduate of North Carolina Central University and Campbell University School of Law, Jonathon has experience in both civil and criminal law. He now focuses on representing community associations (HOAs and condominium associations) and supervises the firm’s association assessment collections practice.
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
