The Membership Committee launched its inaugural Membership Challenge in September 2023, and challenged GBA members to attend at least 15 events during the 2023-24 programming year. A hearty congratulations goes out to the following seven members who successfully completed the Membership Challenge:  Jason Hicks, Abigail Seymour, Judge Robby Hassell, Eloise Hassell, Jonathan M. Parisi, Manisha Patel, and Elizabeth Robertson.  These individuals were recognized for their dedication and commitment to the GBA at the GBA’s Annual Meeting on April 18, 2024, and were awarded certificates of appreciation, a GBA tumbler, and a GBA t-shirt.  The Committee sends its thanks and appreciation to all members who participated in the Challenge, and hopes to see even more members rise to the challenge next year!

Pictured from right to left: The Honorable Bill Davis, Jason Hicks, Manisha Patel, The Honorable Robby Hassell, Elizabeth Robertson, Eloise Hassell, Jonathan M. Parisi, Sarah Roane.  Not pictured: Abigail Seymour.

In a triumph of hard work, dedication, and academic excellence, Elon Law students Naisha Mercury and Nathaniel Pool have been selected by the Greensboro Bar Association’s Scholarship Committee as the recipients of the organization’s annual Academic Scholarship.  The GBA Academic Scholarship is intended to financially assist two (2) 2L Elon Law students who demonstrate academic responsibility, a passion for community involvement, and a personal connection to Guilford County.

Scholarship awards not only provide financial support but also serve as a testament to the recipients’ outstanding abilities and potential. By investing in the education of promising law students, these scholarships play a vital role in fostering the next generation of legal professionals.

Prior to enrolling at Elon Law, Naisha Mercury earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Service Management from East Carolina University. At ECU is where her fascination with the intersection of law and healthcare began to flourish. Through her studies, she became acutely aware of the systematic inequities in healthcare access that disproportionately affect specific demographic groups based on economic status, race, and age. 

Currently, Naisha is a resident at the O’Neill Institute for National & Global Health Law, where her focus revolves around pioneering initiatives and conducting research dedicated to reproductive health. Her experience has provided her with a platform to translate this passion into meaningful action, and she expresses that she is eager to continue making a difference in this vital arena.

Nathaniel Pool, originally from Fairmont, West Virginia, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, with a minor in Forensics from West Virginia University. Prior to enrolling at Elon Law, he worked with the West Virginia University Police Department and contributed to the community as a social worker at the National Youth Advocate Program, where he concentrated on juvenile delinquency issues.

At Elon Law, Nathan has demonstrated a keen interest in criminal defense, alongside a broader engagement with civil litigation matters. He holds leadership positions in student organizations, serving as co-president of the Criminal Law Society and as vice president of case managers for the Innocence Project. His work last summer with the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission allowed him to gain invaluable experience in post-conviction processes. Nathan plans to continue expanding his expertise this upcoming summer at Legal Aid of North Carolina.

Please join us in congratulating these exceptional students and wishing them continued success in their academic and professional endeavors!

With the support of member donations, the Elementary School Project committee has purchased a book for every “graduating” 5th grader at Jones Elementary School. We are planning to deliver the books to all 5th grade classes on Monday, May 20, at 8:15am, and could use the help of a few volunteers!

In addition to handing out the books, this is a chance to talk to the kids about what the Greensboro Bar Association is, what lawyers do, and how proud we are of their upcoming graduation. It should take less than an hour. As anyone who’s volunteered to do this in the past will tell you, the excitement on each child’s face as we hand them a new book is rewarding beyond measure.

Last fall, we also provided children in grades K-5 in the Traditional English program at Jones with the opportunity to purchase a book of their choice at the school’s Book Fair, which gave an additional financial benefit to the school library. We also raised enough funds to make a sizable donation to the school to support student field trips! Thank you for your continued support of the Elementary School Project!

If you would like to volunteer to hand out the 5th grade graduation gift books on Monday, May 20, at 8:15am at Jones Elementary, please email Erin Reis at erin.reis.1@gmail.com, or Ashley Canupp at AshleyCanupp@thefreshmarket.net.

Elizabeth Robertson, is President of the Greensboro Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section and Personal Injury Litigation Attorney at CR Legal Team, LLP

A Message from the YLS President: A Year of Service 

My, what a year it has been! As my time as President of the Young Lawyers Section of the GBA comes to an end, I look back on the past bar year with such gratitude and pride at what we have been able to accomplish. One resounding theme comes to mind as I reflect on this
year: service. 

The Young Lawyers Section has given back to the community in an unprecedented way this year. We’ve donated time, funds, and goods to our neighbors in need. From a sock/glove/hat drive at the holiday party to benefit Backpack Beginnings, to hosting our first “YLS Service Week” in March, including reading to students at Hunter Elementary, making/serving a meal at Greensboro Urban Ministries, and gathering donations to benefit Hunter Elementary School, we put service at the forefront of our mission this year. 

Additionally, with the help of GBA President Gerald Walden, Jr., we’ve been able to bridge the gap more closely between the Young Lawyers Section and the greater Greensboro Bar Association, helping young lawyers find their place in the greater GBA. We partnered with the Mentorship Committee to host a remarkable “Art of Mentorship” Lunch and Learn, attended by lawyers of all ages and levels of experience. This year we were proud to recognize one of our own, Jonathan M. Parisi, as the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. We also celebrated a successful Legal Aid Fundraiser, co-chaired by YLS board member Casey Robinson. Additionally, we applauded other YLS board members for their contributions to GBA leadership this year: Hillary Kies, Nicole Scallon, and Nicole Patino. 

It has been a joy to lead this thriving section of the Greensboro Bar Association. Thank you to the YLS Board Members, Diane Lowe, Gerald Walden, Jr., and for all who supported us throughout the year. The future of the organization is bright! 

  ­— Elizabeth 

An Update from YLS

On April 11, 2024, YLS volunteered at Backpack Beginnings in Greensboro. Backpack Beginnings’ mission is to connect children and their families to resources needed to thrive.  To  learn more about the mission of Backpack Beginnings, visit: https://backpackbeginnings.org.

Pictured from left to right: Jonathan M. Parisi, Elizabeth Robertson, Tyler Nullmeyer

Congratulations to 2024 YLS NCAA Bracket Challenge Winners

In celebration of March Madness, YLS hosted a NCAA Bracket Challenge. With 16 participants, the following 3 folks placed TOP 3, earning a prize, courtesy of YLS:

1st place: Grace Lay
2nd place: Noah Hock
3rd place: Sharon Dunmore Lawrence

Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all who participated! We look forward to competing with you again next year. 

Upcoming YLS Events: 

In addition to the May events outlined above, YLS will also be hosting an event on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game. Spots are limited – check your email and follow our Facebook page to stay tuned for details on how to RSVP to this Summer event!

YLS Board Member Spotlight: Jonathan M. Parisi

Jonathan M. Parisi

Jonathan M. Parisi practices at Spangler Estate Planning here in Greensboro. He practices estate planning/probate and estate administration. Jonathan’s favorite part of his job is being able to form long-standing relationships with his clients and exercising his creativity in how he assists them in their planning efforts. When asked about his involvement in GBA/YLS, Jonathan stated: “As a young lawyer, I’ve learned that remaining eager to learn is a special trait that we should never lose.  Through my involvement in the GBA and as a member of the YLS Board, I’ve established meaningful relationships with many other lawyers in the community—many older than me and many younger than me. One thing I’ve realized is that we all have something to learn from one another, regardless of age, background, or circumstance, and that value stems from genuine connections.”   

For more information about Jonathan and his firm, visit https://spanglerestateplanning.com/about-the-firm 

Connect with YLS:

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 its members. Email YLS at info@greensboroyls.org to share achievements that you would like celebrated on the YLS Facebook page.

Gerald L. Walden, Jr.
President of the Greensboro Bar Association

Hello GBA Members!

As some of you know, I am the father of two small children and, as such, spend a lot of time reading children’s books. Most recently, my two-year-old son has repeatedly asked me to read The Little Engine That Could. You may recall that it is a story about perseverance and optimism as a small engine overcomes doubts to successfully deliver toys to children on the other side of a mountain. Like that little engine, I entered my term as GBA President with some doubt that I could deliver on all the lofty goals I wanted to achieve in one year – goals I felt would allow me to make a meaningful impact on a well-established association and hopefully leave it better than I found it. I told myself, “I think I can,” and I proceeded to take steps to make it happen. 

In my first “Message from the President” in September 2023, I stated my intentions as follows: 

[A] new Business/Corporate Law Section of the GBA is being created to better engage and service at least a quarter of our members who are either in-house counsel or practicing business/corporate law. There will be an increased commitment to providing a place and space for all GBA members regardless of practice area, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, etc. through leadership roles, CLE offerings (including, a return to CLE Lunch & Learns), and association programs/activities/events (including, diversifying where and how we hold monthly member meetings). Further, expect to see greater (i) engagement in Guilford County, (ii) efforts to assist and mentor aspiring and young lawyers, and (iii) focus on elevating the GBA brand.

As we now enter May 2024, I am very pleased to share that the following have been accomplished: 

• Created a Business/Corporate Law Section that resulted in new or increased engagement by attorneys practicing in these areas;
• Held three very successful and free CLE lunch and learns, as well as offered an all-time high of six hours of CLE credit through the annual CLE seminar;
• Created a new award to recognize an outstanding young lawyer while also strengthening the overall relationship between the Young Lawyers Section and the GBA;
• Offered opportunities for several seasoned lawyers to deliver sage advice to the GBA membership at every member meeting;
• Celebrated Martin L. King, Jr. Day by offering free legal advice to the community;
• Diversified our member meetings by holding one at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum during Black History Month and another virtually during Women’s History Month that allowed us to patronize a local woman-owned business; 
• Increased the GBA’s presence on social media and in print media;
• Finalized plans to hold social events for all summer legal interns working in the Triad as the kick-off to a new GBA Fellows Program; and 
• Organized a trip occurring this Fall to the United States Supreme Court for a swearing-in ceremony for interested GBA members.

As I mentioned during our April Member Meeting, serving as GBA President is the first time I have led an organization where I have been able to drive initiatives touching on so many important aspects of my life – being a Black man with a 20-year legal career as an in-house counsel who is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, my community, and mentoring law students and new lawyers. Therefore, I will always treasure my time in this role.

Finally, mountains are rarely overcome alone; even the little engine had encouragement from the toys it was carrying. I am extremely thankful to the GBA officers, directors, committee chairpersons, and GBA Administrator, Diane Lowe, who not only encouraged me throughout this last year but made substantial efforts to ensure the goals established were met. With all of them and the steadfast participation of the GBA members, “I thought WE could” have an amazing year . . . and WE did! 

All the best,

Gerald L. Walden, Jr.

GBA President, 2023-2024