Charlotte s Top Prosecutor Retires After 35 Years

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1 November 2010 A publication of the Mecklenburg County Bar /26th Judicial District Vol. 37 No Mecklenburg County Bar President s Letter Lawyers in the News Practical Skills for Young Lawyers New Lawyers and the Job Market Nominations Sought for Diversity Champion Award Court Communiqués VLP Spotlight Nominations Sought for Ayscue Professionalism Award McMillan Fellowship Fundraising Dinner MCB Annual Golf Tournament Young Lawyers Division Coffee Connections Fall 2010 Swearing-In Ceremony MCB Holiday Party Bar Foundation Fund End of An Era Charlotte s Top Prosecutor Retires After 35 Years By John Parke (JP) Davis I never thought I would practice law, says Peter Gilchrist, an odd statement from the man who has occupied one of Charlotte s most important legal positions for the past 35 years. Now, after more than three decades as Mecklenburg County s elected District Attorney, Peter Gilchrist is retiring. Gilchrist meets with me in Peter Gilchrist his other office, the clean one that is, the one he doesn t actually work in. Even this show office is simple and unostentatious; except for the corner location, it could belong to any young lawyer. The office is emblematic of Gilchrist himself: humble, gracious, almost boisterous in his warmth, and not at all the stern caricature of a prosecutor drawn in fiction and literature. He smiles often and speaks with an open, unaffected manner more befitting a country grandfather receiving guests than one of Charlotte s most important elected officials. When I came in with the hubris of youth, an accounting background and four years in Superior Court, I thought I could solve the problems and be done in two years, says Gilchrist, now 71. So why then did he stay for 35? It s a really interesting job, he says with earnest sincerity. He describes the prosecutor s role as Trying to do justice in individual cases. Your view of justice varies depending on your vantage point. The job is to do the right thing. That s not always to get a conviction and the maximum sentence. Sometimes it s to incapacitate someone for as long as we can, or to take an individual who is such a danger that we must ask the jury to take his life. Sometimes, it s not to prosecute. You have to be even-handed, whether the defendant lives in Myer s Park with a retained lawyer or in the projects with a public defender. Without question, however, Gilchrist is proudest of the people who have populated his office over the years, past and present. He is ebullient when he talks about them. Despite the years of work he has done and all he has accomplished in his tenure, it is difficult to get him to take personal credit for anything the first word out of his mouth when speaking of his achievements is usually we. We ve had a number of outstanding folks, Gilchrist says, beaming like a proud father as he lists the judges, United States Attorneys, preachers, college professors and prominent attorneys from all walks of practice who got their start in his office. The bar and the bench are peopled with our alumni. The challenge we ve always had was a difficulty in retaining people long term, because of the salaries and workload. This constant tension pervades Gilchrist s narrative his overwhelming pride in his office and the people he works with strained continued on page 9

2 From The President A. Todd Brown MCB President Preserving a Strong and Independent Judiciary The November 2 elections are over. We have either incumbents or newly elected judges commencing their public service in Mecklenburg County, the 26th Judicial District. It is essential, therefore, that we send a clear and unambiguous message that we support the preservation of a strong and independent judiciary, and that we will scrutinize the tactics which erode the impartiality of the judiciary and the public s perception of that impartiality. Our federal and state constitutions establish a system of three separate branches of government. That system remains a model for the rest of the world. An indispensable element of our system is an independent judiciary. One free of political influence. One free of improper influence by litigants or their counsel. One reflective of the society in which we live. One intent on protecting individual liberties. An independent judiciary is not one that is free to decide matters based on whim or prejudice, but rather one that is capable of adjudicating cases based on the facts and the rule of law. It must exist without political pressure, retribution, or fear of attack or concern for personal safety. Increasingly, however, such ideals are subject to erosion. More than 80 percent of the judges in the states are elected. It is an unfortunate truth that our legal system, and frequently our elected judicial officers, has been subjected to frequent and inappropriate attacks. Nationally and locally, we have seen judges become the subject of political rhetoric and ridicule, investigation by politically motivated individuals or groups, and confrontation by former litigants oftentimes merely because of disagreement with judicial rulings. We have witnessed verbal attacks, threats, and intimidation against judicial personnel and their families. Reportedly, interest groups have spent large sums on advertising targeting judicial candidates, in an attempt to influence voters and outspend the candidates themselves. And it remains to be seen whether the U.S. Supreme Court s recent decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which opened the door for corporations and unions to spend large amounts of their own funds (as opposed to forming a PAC) on broadcast endorsements, will have a positive, negative, or neutral effect on judicial elections. As lawyers, we have an obligation to speak out against wholly unwarranted criticism of judges and our system of justice, irrespective of the source. As lawyers, we are uniquely situated, and perhaps the best equipped, to help defend our system of justice. The MCB s mission focuses in part on improving and preserving the administration of justice. Our leadership has endorsed maintaining a strong and independent judiciary, and we have made it a part of our strategic objectives. The MCB, as appropriate, will register its disagreement over mistreatment of judges and disrespect for the rule of law. Practicing lawyers can be in the vanguard by modeling the exemplary conduct and respect that the judiciary deserves. At the recent new lawyer CLE and orientation sponsored by the MCB s Young Lawyers Division, Senior Resident Superior Judge Richard D. Boner and Chief District Court Judge Lisa C. Bell addressed new lawyers on the importance of deference and professionalism toward the judiciary. Judge Boner regaled the new lawyers with a tale about a young lawyer utterly confounded by his inability to find in the law books any reference to that mysterious yet obviously well settled 85/40 rule cited by the judge. Judge Boner explained that reference to the 85/40 rule is his standard retort to lawyers who openly exhibit dissatisfaction with one of his court rulings -- take Interstate 85 north, then take Interstate 40 east, then stop on Morgan Street in Raleigh and file a notice of appeal with the North Carolina Court of Appeals. That s sage advice for all lawyers! Let me be clear: I am not advocating the curtailment of free speech rights. Judges are not, and should not be, immune from criticism where appropriate or disagreement where civil. Freedom of speech is an equally fundamental hallmark of our constitutional protections. We are, and should remain, free to disagree with judicial decisions. But such disagreement must not rise to a vindictive or unlawful level. Yet many often cross that line to target judges, not because of some illegal or ethical behavior by a judge, but merely because they would have preferred a different outcome. Threats, ridicule, or attempts to intimidate judicial officials based on improper motivations undermine our legal system. They diminish trust and confidence in the rule of law. Nor does judicial independence mean a lack of accountability. All judges, elected or appointed, should be answerable for their actions. Fortunately, our legal system has several built-in mechanisms for holding judges responsible for both their legal decisions and extrajudicial activities. The appellate process, the judicial selection process, the electoral process, the disciplinary process, the peer review and evaluation process, and a legislature s authority to change laws are but a few examples of procedures designed to hold judges accountable. We spent years in law school and endured the rigors of a bar exam to become a part of the greatest judicial system in the world. It is incumbent upon us to stand up to inspire confidence in that system, rather than sit idly in the face of misguided attacks against it or the court personnel essential to its proper operation. As my partner and former ABA President Robert J. Grey, Jr. once observed, an attack on our judges is equivalent to an attack on our democracy. We should not ignore or excuse unjust criticism of our judges or the judicial system. Rather, we should respond to correct misinformation and to speak out in support of the judiciary and the rule of law. To adopt any other approach is perhaps to concede, at least tacitly, the gradual disintegration of our judiciary s independence. The MCB remains committed to safeguarding the independence and integrity of the judiciary. I urge you to do your part as well. 2 November

3 Lawyers in the News Vincent Appointed to Advisory Committee by U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Angelique R. Vincent, of Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A., has been appointed to the South Carolina State Advisory Committee by the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Angelique R. Vincent Vincent was nominated to serve on the committee by U.S. Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C. The United States Commission on Civil Rights is a bipartisan, independent commission of the federal government charged with the responsibility of investigating, reporting on and making recommendations concerning civil rights issues that face the nation. The Commission has 51 State Advisory Committees composed of citizens familiar with civil rights issues. Vincent is a member of the firm s Litigation Department and Employment & Labor Practice Group. She concentrates her practice on employment counseling, litigation prevention and active litigation, including a wide range of work relating to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. I think we all have a personal responsibility to ensure that civil rights and equality are granted to everyone in society, regardless of differences, such as race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin or socio-economic class, Vincent said. However, based on my background, I have a particular interest in ensuring equal opportunity and inclusion for minorities and women within the education system, their communities and the workplace. Vincent earned her law degree from Harvard Law School and completed her undergraduate work at Duke University, where she graduated summa cum laude. Practical Skills for Young Lawyers The Nuts & Bolts of Networking By Robert E. Harrington, Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson Networking fills the life of the successful lawyer. There s no mystery to it. Networking is simply meeting people and, at its most effective, meeting people in places that show you at your best that showcase your talent, commitment, creativity and leadership. Looking at networking this way makes the questions why and how to network easy to answer. Why do we network? Ours is not a solitary life. The practice of law is built on relationships relationships with clients, other lawyers and the community. The importance of clients is self-evident. Sound relationships with other lawyers allow the practice of law with mutual respect and provide a foundation for referrals. A firm grounding in the community gives the chance to add meaning to career. Which leads to how. How do lawyers build networks? To some extent, networking happens without conscious effort. Your reputation for honesty, integrity, diligence and respect or their absence will precede you. Beyond that, networking requires participation in the public and professional spheres. That participation bears the greatest fruit when it s spent in areas of real interest. Don t participate merely for participation s sake. Certainly, it s sensible to focus energy on activities that provide opportunities to interact with lawyers and clients, but those opportunities abound from bar activities to charitable organizations to public service to youth sports. Here are some keys: Engage in activities that really matter to you, where you have passion. Don t over-commit. Devote the same quality of effort to the activity as that you give to your law practice Lead; don t just show up. (But be sure to show up.) Apply the same integrity that you apply to your practice. Your peers are watching. And most of all, enjoy yourself. It s a long career; make it meaningful. When it comes to choosing a bank to help turn your possibilities into realities, you want a partner you can trust someone who takes the time to know you, someone with the knowledge to offer sound advice, someone who can give you the confidence to create your path forward. That partner is RBC Bank. Ben Chambers Commercial Banker 200 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC (704) ben.chambers@rbc.com RBC Bank (USA) Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Employer. Registered trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under license. RBC Bank is a trade name of RBC Bank (USA) and its branch offices operate under this trade name. November

4 Second installment of New Lawyers and the Job Market Opportunities to Gain Experience By Ben Austrin-Willis A survey of career services offices at three of North Carolina s seven law schools indicates that from 2008 forward, an increasing number of recent law grads who received permanent job offers were laid off or had job offers rescinded or deferred within their first year out of school. Couple these individuals with those new lawyers who did not receive a permanent job offer out of school and there is a glut of new attorneys looking for work. Broadly speaking, career services offices recommend gaining as much legal experience as possible. They suggest being open to various opportunities that may arise, even if they may not be the new lawyer s ideal job. New law school graduates may gain experience by taking temporary jobs as contract attorneys with small firms or temp agencies. Typical projects include document review, short-term research projects and preparing tax returns. Authoring articles in legal newsletters or other industry-related journals is a great way to circulate the new lawyer s name and credentials. It can be easy to rework an old law school paper or pitch an idea to a Bar newsletter. Of course, maintaining contact with the career services office at the new lawyer s law school could also be very helpful they can continue to offer help even after graduation. Career services offices also suggest new lawyers may be able to find satisfying work by taking advantage of opportunities at local legal associations. The Mecklenburg County Bar and the North Carolina Bar Association offer numerous volunteer and networking opportunities. New lawyers can join committees and practice sections to meet and work with other lawyers. Legal aid offices, public defenders and district attorney s offices often need volunteer lawyer help and the Mecklenburg County offices are some of the largest in the state. I have found the Mecklenburg County Bar to be a very friendly, active Bar. Throughout my first year as a lawyer, I was able to meet area lawyers by making phone calls and sending s. I also took part in both Mecklenburg County Bar and NC Bar Association committees. Now that I m pursuing a Master of Laws (LL.M.), I m staying in touch with many of the contacts I made through these activities. In the meantime, my LL.M. will help me gain expertise in the areas of law I want to practice. There are many ways to launch a legal career - even in a down economy. With more new lawyers in Mecklenburg County than ever before, it s important to keep an open mind and be creative to find ways to get involved. One great thing about having so many new lawyers in Mecklenburg County is that there are lots of people available to offer support and help. Editorial Policy The Mecklenburg Bar News accepts editorial and advertising material of general legal interest to the practicing Bar of the 26th Judicial District. The implicit purposes of the newsletter, website, and related methods of communication are to educate members of the Mecklenburg County Bar and to create and maintain shared communication with its members. The Communications Committee reserves the right to accept, reject, or edit all material. DISCLAIMER Efforts will be made to provide information of interest that is timely, accurate, and relevant to the legal community. The Mecklenburg County Bar is not responsible for misprints, typographical errors, or misinformation in The Mecklenburg Bar News. The views and opinions are not necessarily those of the 26th Judicial District Bar. Communications Committee: J.P. Davis, Chair, Justin Carpenter, Tricia Derr, Alan Edmonds, Bob Johnston, Charles Keller, Rhea Kelley, Hannah Little, Carrie Mansfield, Chara Moore, Phillip Lewis, Nancy Roberson, Michael Shor, Rob Wick 4 November

5 Nominations Sought for 2011 Diversity Champion Award The Mecklenburg County Bar Special Committee on Diversity is accepting nominations for the 2011 Julius L. Chambers Diversity Champion Award through Nov. 30, The annual Award is presented to an individual who embodies high ethical standards, unquestioned integrity, consistent competence and who champions diversity in the legal profession. The Award will be presented to the selected recipient at the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation McMillian Fund Dinner on February 24, Award candidates will be evaluated based on one or more of the following criteria: She/he facilitates recruitment, hiring, retention, and promotion of diverse individuals in the legal profession. She/he provides outstanding service and education to the community at large by unifying and uplifting diverse people of all backgrounds. She/he promotes ideals of diversity in the legal profession. The Award is named after its first honoree, the distinguished civil rights attorney Julius L. Chambers. Mr. Chambers represented the plaintiffs in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school desegregation case Swann v. Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education. Additional recipients of the Julius L. Chambers Diversity Champion Award include George V. Hanna of Moore & Van Allen P.L.L.C., and The Honorable Clifton E. Johnson. Applications may be addressed to members of the MCB Special Committee on Diversity and are due before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 30, 2010 to Stephanie A. Marella at or 438 Queens Rd., Charlotte, NC Court Communiqués 26th Judicial District Hosts North African Court Officials By Charles Keller, Jr., Community Access & Outreach Administrator On September 13, the 26th Judicial District hosted a group of judges and court officials from several North African countries. The 13 participants, comprised of 10 men and three women, represented Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Syria, Yemen, and the Palestinian Territories. Their visit was arranged by the U.S. Department of State through the International Visitor Leadership Program, and coordinated locally through International House and the Institute of International Education. The purpose of this visit Mecklenburg County Public Defender Kevin Tully addresses the delegation. was to promote the rule of law and Mayor, a legislative analyst and legal consul to judicial reform in the represented countries. the Arab Bank. The areas of law in which they The visitors were particularly interested in worked included family law, employment law, learning about the concept of court-appointed politics, legal training, financial law, women s counsel, the structure of our court system and rights, and the prevention of terrorism, observing a jury trial. Mecklenburg County organized crime and child labor. The group Public Defender Kevin Tully spoke to the was accompanied by a journalist and a team of group about the role of the public defender, four State Department interpreters. Trial Court Administrator Todd Nuccio spoke The Department of State s International about the structure of North Carolina courts, Visitor Leadership Program aims to familiarize and Mecklenburg County Bar President-Elect the participants with the principles of judicial Robert C. Dortch Jr. and Grievance independence, the federal court system and Committee Chair Marc Gentile explained how the structure of state and municipal courts. ethical complaints against attorneys are Participants learn about the judiciary s role in addressed through the grievance process. preserving and strengthening democratic The 26th Judicial District was one of only concepts such as government accountability four districts visited during the group s 2½ and individual rights. They discuss court week visit to the United States. Other stops management, case management, advanced along the trip included Washington, D.C., legal education, the criminal justice system Texas and Utah. Eleven of the 13 and law enforcement in the United States. The representatives had never traveled in the U.S. Program also promotes the understanding of before, and the two that had visited previously current trends in the administration of courts had only been to Washington, D.C. and in the United States and examines various Virginia. Their diverse legal positions included forms of dispute resolution. law enforcement, attorneys, judges, a Deputy November

6 Volunteer Lawyer Program SPOTLIGHT Kimberly E. Zirkle Kimberly E. Zirkle volunteered through the MCB Volunteer Lawyer Program to take a family law case that, although seemingly simple on paper, was logistically quite challenging. A language barrier and a closeknit community led to difficulties finding non-conflict-ridden translators. Through Ms. Zirkle s guidance and expertise, the family law case was resolved with child support and custody being granted to the client. MCB VLP: Current Employer / number of years with current employer? KZ: Moore & Van Allen PLLC / 4 years MCB VLP: Area of Practice / Expertise? KZ: Financial Services MCB VLP: Law School / Law School Graduation Year? KZ: University of North Carolina Class of 2006 MCB VLP: How did you get involved with this family law case? KZ: I have been serving in the SelfServe Center for several years now, consulting with pro se clients on custody and divorce issues - taking an actual case in which the litigant needed representation seemed like the next step. MCB VLP: How many of these type of pro bono cases do you typically handle at one time? KZ: This is the first such case that I have handled. Going forward, I feel that I would want to handle only one active case at a time; this will give me the ability to give each case my full attention, while also fulfilling my responsibilities to my financial services clients. Kimberly E. Zirkle MCB VLP: How do you prepare for handling a pro bono family law case? KZ: I was very fortunate to be able to call upon a number of attorneys who practice regularly in the area of family law and who were very generous with their time and resources. I added that knowledge to my own research of family law and experience with the SelfServe Center. MCB VLP: How can the Mecklenburg County legal community help with similar cases? KZ: Attorneys shouldn t be afraid to take cases outside of their comfort zone. Additionally, it would be very beneficial to have a network of seasoned family law (or other applicable specialty area) attorneys willing to mentor those of us who lack the experience. Assistance that I received from other attorneys outside of my firm was invaluable. MCB VLP: What is the best advice you ve received during your legal career? KZ: Prepare a document as though you are the last person who will be reading it before it goes to the partner, client or judge. I admit that I am still working on this, but this level of attention to detail is a quality to be admired and one that I hope to achieve. MCB VLP: What advice would you give others? KZ: With respect to work/life in general, I would say, You can have it all, just not all at the same time. Regarding pro bono, I would say, It s called a privilege license for a reason. It s a privilege to be able to practice law and have inside access to our judicial system. With this privilege, there is a responsibility to help those who cannot help themselves navigate this system. Your specialist for court and probate bonds. LAWYERS INSURANCE is dedicated to the legal communities we serve. We re experts at providing bonds for lawyers. Highlights of our bond program: Speak directly with an underwriter. A broad range of bonds with a quick turnaround. Thorough underwriting process. Service is our top priority. Call to speak directly to an underwriter. LAWYERS INSURANCE: FOR YOUR OFFICE, HOME AND LIFE. LAWYERS MUTUAL LawyersInsuranceAgency.com MCB VLP: What is your favorite part of your current job? KZ: I get to come to work every day and apply my skills in an interesting practice area, with a group of intelligent and motivated colleagues and clients. That, combined with the personal satisfaction that comes from taking the occasional pro bono case or counseling pro se litigants, is the reason I went to law school. If you are interested in receiving similar cases or would like to assist pro bono attorneys as a mentor in specific areas of law, please contact Mary Jordan Mullinax at mjmullinax@meckbar.org. 6 November

7 Nominations Sought for Ayscue Professionalism Award Nominations are being sought for the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation s 2011 Ayscue Professionalism Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize exemplary professionalism, as broadly defined. Criteria may include one or more of the following: Outstanding service through or on behalf of the Mecklenburg County Bar or the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation for the benefit of the legal community or the community at large. Substantial and significant service to the community, to the Bar, or to the justice system, whether on the basis of lifetime contributions or a specific project. Embodiment of the traits to which all attorneys should aspire: high ethical standards, model conduct, unquestioned integrity, and consistent competence. Nominations should be submitted by December 3, 2010, to Nancy Roberson, Executive Director, Mecklenburg Bar Foundation, 438 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC The Award will be presented at the Law and Society Luncheon. Save the Date James B. McMillan McMillan Fellowship Fundraising Dinner & Fourth Annual Presentation of the Julius Chambers Diversity Champion Award February 24, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. Byron s South End (101 W. Worthington Ave.) Questions: Please contact Leah Campbell at lcampbell@meckbar.org MCB Annual Golf Tournament By Russell J. Andrew, Co-Chair, Social Sports Committee Mother Nature offered perfect scoring conditions for the 23rd annual MCB Golf Tournament held on Wednesday, September 22 at Raintree Country Club. Under sunny skies and steamy temperatures, many teams went low in this year s captain s choice event featuring a field of nearly 60 players. In the end, the team of Christian Staples, Daniel Roberts, David Grassi and Marc Towler brought Raintree s North Course to its knees with a score of 54 to take home the 2010 title. They weren t the only winners on the day however. Two MCB members each won an all expense paid vacation to a select destination of their choice by conquering a putting challenge on the practice putting green presented by SEU Promotions. NOVA Office Strategies sponsored a challenge of their own on the par 3 ninth hole offering generous prizes from Capital Grille. The Social Sports Committee would like to thank the following supporting sponsors for making this such a great event: Brock Scott, Proshred, Lawyers Mutual, Consolidated Planning, Gilsbar, NOVA Office Strategies and The Dunhill. In addition, thanks to these sponsors for donating the following door prizes: a Nike putter and gift certificates, courtesy of Edwin Watts; and free passes to Charlotte Athletic Club courtesy of Charlotte Athletic Club. Our biggest thanks, however, goes to all participants for making this one of the most successful MCB golf tournaments to date. We hope to see you all again at next year s tournament! The MCB Annual Golf Tournament returned to the Raintree Country Club for another successful year. Christian Staples, David Grassi, Daniel Roberts and Marc Towler were the 2010 MCB Golf Tournament winners. November

8 Young Lawyers Division Focus on a YLD Committee: Membership The backbone of the Mecklenburg County Bar Young Lawyers Division is its Membership Committee. The Membership Committee s broad goal is to increase young lawyer membership and involvement in the YLD. Libby James, an associate at Horack Talley, has overseen a substantial increase in YLD membership during her tenure as Membership Committee chair. In addition to marketing efforts aimed at increasing young lawyers awareness of the benefits and opportunities available through the MCB YLD, the Membership Committee also organizes and runs some of the YLD s most high-profile events. For example, the Membership Committee, in conjunction with the MCB staff, operates the semi-annual MCB Swearing-In ceremonies. This past September 30, the Membership Committee emceed and oversaw the swearing-in of 81 new lawyers to the Mecklenburg County Bar. The Committee coordinated attorney sponsors for those admittees who requested this and offered information about the YLD to all new lawyers. The Membership Committee also organizes nominations for and selection of the MCB YLD Young Lawyer of the Year. This award has been in existence since The Membership Committee is an excellent way to meet members of the YLD and reach out to other attorneys who are considering getting involved. The Committee is now accepting additional members. If you are interested in participating, please contact Libby James at james@horacktalley.com or 704/ On a related note, a highly successful event that involved effort from many YLD members was the Young Lawyers Division s Fall Ask-A- Lawyer Day. On September 25, 2010, approximately 20 lawyers volunteered part of their Saturday to offer free legal assistance at the West Boulevard Public Library to those in our community who needed legal help but could not necessarily afford it. The event was a great success due in large part to the work of YLD Legal Assistance Committee Chair, Taylor Stukes with Nexsen Pruet. We assisted more than 70 members of our community with their legal issues and built collegiality among YLD members at the same time. Special thanks to all who volunteered for this event and to Taylor for organizing it. Our next Ask-A-Lawyer Day will be on February 5, We hope to see you there! Meet Lawyers Mutual. GRAY WILSON, LAWYERS MUTUAL BOARD MEMBER, WILSON HELMS & CARTLEDGE, LLP, WINSTON-SALEM lawyers helping lawyers Coffee Connections November 9, :00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. MCB Center Free networking event for attorneys in solo/small firms whether you are just opening, considering expanding, or looking for an opportunity to mingle. Gather informally with colleagues and gain resources in the following areas: Mentoring At different stages of your career, you may benefit from either having a mentor or being one. Learn about the mentor/mentee options that exist through the new Linking Lawyers mentoring initiative. Suggested Client Agreements Setting out clear expectations while establishing an attorney/client relationship can help start the representation on a positive note and may even avoid disputes over fees and scope of representation in the future. Vendors catering to solo/small firms Learn about some of the different services and software programs that make it easier to manage a solo/small firm. Visit for updated information. Professional Office Space 1057 East Morehead Street 1057 East Morehead Street is a newly constructed full service office building with full and partial floors available. Customize your space to fit your needs with a generous upfit allowance. Surface parking included. For more information call or visit 8 November

9 Gilchrist continued from page 1 against the Sisyphean task of running a large prosecutor s office on what is, for the size of the need, a shoe-string budget. He lists having an office that functions well considering the resources and the environment that we operate in, as the top accomplishment of his tenure. We operate this office like in the 1950s, with paper files. Nothing for electronic document management. Our people are dealing with a lot of paper rather than doing what they could do to be effective. It s going to continue for a long time because the state doesn t have the money. At one point, the County was spending more on the dog pound than the state was spending on the jail. Tight resources have led to better efficiencies, however, including programs that, while occasionally controversial, have greatly benefited the community. We established a number of cutting edge programs, Gilchrist says. The defensive driving school and deferred prosecution is one. We had to engineer them; we didn t have a model. We came up with a way to have a contract with the defendant and if the defendant completed the contract, we would dismiss the charges. Folks end up without criminal records, and it got them to address a problem they had, getting drug treatment, staying on mental health drugs, going to high school, getting a job. A small percentage of defendants who go through deferred prosecution come back. The vast majority don t. It s a good management of limited resources, Gilchrist concludes. Peter has brought that office from 15 to 20 assistants to 85, a real big city district attorney s office, says Larry Hewitt, a criminal defense attorney with Guthrie, Davis, Henderson and Staton, who has known Gilchrist since the two were assistant district attorneys under Gilchrist s predecessor, Tom Moore. Hewitt has watched the district attorney s office grow and flourish under Gilchrist s leadership. The public doesn t appreciate or understand the magnitude of that job, and he has done a very good job with it over the years. He is a very decent and hard working public servant. Judge Phil Howerton, who started as an assistant district attorney under Gilchrist and is now the veteran of more than twenty years on the district court bench, echoes Hewitt s sentiment. Peter has been a courageous and totally honest public servant, as our district attorney, for these many years. Some things just will not seem the same when he retires. I m 71, Gilchrist says. Frustration creeps into his voice as he talks of the two projects he set out to accomplish this term, increasing judicial salaries and implementing an electronic management system, both of which ended up stymied at the state level on the brink of passage. I felt like I was standing still. I put a lot of time and energy in both projects. I had the office in about as good a shape as I could, and it was time for someone else to come along. His advice for his would-be successors: I describe the operation as 25 college students in a Volkswagon. It s in a sort of balance, and it s very difficult. When someone comes and says they re going to emphasize whatever, question what are you going to stop doing? Where are the resources going to come from and where are you going to back off from? As for his own plans after retirement, Gilchrist once again keeps it simple. I m going to do some things I haven t had time to do. I have no intent to practice law. We plan to do some interesting travel, listen to music, read some books, listen to smart people talk, hunt and bird watch. Finally, after 35 years of service, Gilchrist has one last message to the members of the Bar: I want to thank them. When I think of the Bar, I think of the men and women who are active in Bar activities and have been a great group of people to be around, and I see what they ve done to honestly improve the profession. There are a lot of lawyers who make great contributions, and they truly inspire all of us. And with that, without knowing it, Peter Gilchrist might well have been describing himself. A reception will be held in Peter Gilchrist s honor on November 10, See for more details. November

10 Fall 2010 Swearing-In Ceremony Congratulations to the 81 new attorneys who were sworn-in on September 30, 2010 at the Blake Hotel! Chief Resident Superior Court Judge Richard D. Boner presided over the state portion of the ceremonial court session, and United States Court Judge Richard L. Voorhees presided over the federal portion of the ceremonial court session. Young Lawyers Division Chair Daniel A. Merlin and Mecklenburg County Bar President A. Todd Brown helped congratulate the newly sworn-in. The Young Lawyers Division thanks its sponsors for this event; United States Western District of North Carolina, Consolidated Planning, Lawyers Insurance, LexisNexis, Special Counsel, Center City Realty, Suntrust Mortgage, and West Law. Please welcome the following attorneys to the North Carolina State Bar: Michael Leon Martinez Grier Furr & Crisp, PA University of North Carolina School of Law Keith Douglas Allen Jennifer Lynn Blair-Smith Charles John Boardman William Thomas Bozin University of Georgia School of Law John. R. Brickley James, McElroy & Diehl, PA University of South Carolina School of Law Adrianne B. Caldwell University of Cincinnati College of Law Sherry Cavanagh Cantrell Andresen & Arronte, PLLC University of Florida College of Law Kelly Marie Case Wells Fargo John Pinckney Causey, IV Morgan Stanley Salmon P. Chase College of Law Brian Lee Church Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, PA University of Alabama School of Law Andrea McAfee Covington Wells Fargo Elizabeth Carlene Dantism Lancaster & Trotter, Attorneys at Law Ashley Nicole Davis Nicolas P. DeCastro University of Arkansas School of Law Kelly Ireland Dees Elon University School of Law Yasmin Farahi New York University School of Law Ashley Marie Ferrell Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo, LLP University of North Carolina School of Law Maria Del Pilar Floren Elizabeth Ann Freeman Alston & Bird LLP University of Georgia School of Law Seth Andrew Glazer Law Office of Laura H. Budd, PLLC University of North Carolina School of Law John Curtis Griner McGuireWoods LLP Duke University School of Law Courtney Gene Groesnick Alston & Bird LLP University of South Carolina School of Law Christopher Rajohn Hall The Emory Law Firm, PC Alexandria Edith Harris University of Richmond School of Law Kristen Nicole Higbee Alston & Bird LLP University of South Carolina School of Law Tanea K. Hines Elizabeth A. Hinshaw McGuireWoods LLP University of Virginia School of Law Carol Hitselberger Mayer Brown LLP University of Pennsylvania Law School Christopher Thomas Hood Horack Talley Campbell University School of Law Randall Stephen Hoose, Jr. Bryan David Hopp Michigan State University College of Law Patrick B. Horne Moore & Van Allen, PLLC University of Tennessee School of Law John Ethan Hufham Bank of America Consuela Ann Jenkins Dickie McCamey & Chilcote, PC University of North Carolina School of Law Mason William John Kathryn Elizabeth Johnson King & Spaulding LLP University of North Carolina School of Law Meagan Ivanov Kiser Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP Campbell University School of Law Morgan Kathleen Laurie New England University School of Law Eddy Virgilio Leal, III Wombly Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC Duke University School of Law Katharine Minta MacKenzie Pennsylvania State University School of Law Alexander Thomas Mason Kimberly Rene McAuley North Carolina Central University School of Law Bret William McNabb Saint Louis University School of Law Kristen Leatrice McNeal School of Law University of Richmond Thomas Richmond McPherson, III The Honorable Richard L. Voorhees Matthew Edward Meany Wilson Jones Carter & Baxley, PA Campbell University School of Law Jonathan Eugene Meek Meek Law Firm, PC John Christopher Mickler Huron Consulting Group Anisa Mohanty School of Law University of Richmond Kevin Patrick Murphy University of Georgia School of Law Osayimwense Osar-Emokpae Synergy Legal Drexel University School of Law Paige Loralea Pahlke University of Iowa College of Law Leslie A. Pedernales Moore & Van Allen PLLC Daniel E. Peterson City of Charlotte Attorney s Office University of North Carolina School of Law Christa Engel Pletcher Florida State University College of Law 10 November

11 Rose Giovannina Proto The Law Offices of Michael A. DeMayo Maria Magdalena Pruszynska Emory University School of Law Sayera Iqbal Qasim Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP University of Memphis School of Law Amanda Raflo Legal Aid of North Carolina Nader Saeed Raja Rayburn Cooper & Durham, PA James Michael Richardson North Carolina Central University School of Law Lila Jeannine Riley Elon University School of Law Brandon Rice Roseman North Carolina Central University School of Law Kristen Lynn Schneider North Carolina Business Court Gary Evan Schuler Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP Rutgers School of Law Newark Christine Marie Schwartz Hatcher Law Group Jessica Virginia Shaddock John W. Taylor, PC New England School of Law Brett Michael Shockley McGuireWoods LLP Washington and Lee University School of Law New attorneys raise their right hands as the oath is administered. Jerri Janiee Simmons Cranfill Sumner & Hartzog LLP Brandie Nicole Smith Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC Erin Cathleen Socha University of Wisconsin Law School Christina Marie Stapp Katherine Colleen Stille James, McElroy & Diehl, PA University of North Carolina School of Law Patrick Thomas Strubbe McGuireWoods LLP Vanderbilt University Law School Michael Jennings Trotter Kevin Edwin Vidunas Lewis Andrew Watson Butler Pappas University of Florida College of Law Francis James Warmoth, Jr. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Claude Roberson Wilson, III Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo, LLP David Christopher Wilson Monica Wilson Smith, Currie & Hancock, LLP University of Florida College of Law You re Invited to the 2010 MCB Holiday Party Join us for the annual Bar Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at Byron s South End, 6:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. The $20 admittance fee includes two drink tickets, heavy appetizers and a ticket for a prize drawing. Spouses, children and friends are all welcome. Deadline to register is December 2, For more information, visit events@meckbar.org or call 704/ Register online, or complete and return this registration form MCB Holiday Party Registration Cost is $20 per person Name Company name Address Phone Fax I am enclosing a check payable to Mecklenburg County Bar TOTALING Please mail your registration form and check by 12/2/10 to MCB Holiday Party, 438 Queens Road, Charlotte, North Carolina November

12 BFF 2010: A Chance for Lawyers to Make a Collective Impact The Mecklenburg Bar Foundation s Bar Foundation Fund was created, in part, to provide members of the Mecklenburg County Bar a chance to give back to the community as a group a chance to contribute to the greater good through collective giving. While the Foundation is pleased to announce that we have already reached $176,000 of our $200,000 goal (as of October 6) for the 2010 BFF campaign, we need your help to successfully reach the finish line by December 31. This campaign is by far the most ambitious campaign the Foundation has ever undertaken. We are confident that members of the Mecklenburg County Bar will help us reach our goal so that we may extend even more support to those agencies and projects in our community that need our help. Don t miss this chance to join your colleagues in helping others. If you have not yet sent in your pledge, please remit the enclosed envelope at your earliest convenience. Thanks to all those firms and individuals that have supported the BFF. Be A Foundation Friend! Support Your BFF! Visit to learn about Mecklenburg Bar Foundation tribute gifts. Firm/Business Sponsors Platinum ($7,500 $9,999) Alston & Bird LLP+ Hunton & Williams+ James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A.+ K & L Gates+ McGuireWoods LLP+ Moore & Van Allen PLLC+ Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP+ Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A.+ Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, PLLC+ Gold ($5,000 $7,499) Johnston, Allison & Hord, P.A.+ Poyner & Spruill, LLP+ Silver ($2,500 $4,999) Foundation for Judicial Reform In Honor of Mark R. Bernstein Hamilton Moon Stephens Steele & Martin, PLLC+ Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo, L.L.P.+ Horack Talley PA+ King & Spalding LLP+ Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP+ Nexsen Pruet, PLLC+ Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP+ Bronze (Up to $2,499) Adams Intellectual Property Law Bank of America Legal Department Baucom, Claytor, Benton, Morgan & Wood, P.A. Bernhardt and Strawser, PA Consolidated Planning In Honor of Bryan Sanchez & Jessie Nelson Cranfill, Sumner & Hartzog, LLP Culp Elliott & Carpenter. P.L.L.C. Duke Energy Law Department Ferguson, Stein, Chambers, Gresham & Sumter, P.A. Gach & Nolen, PLLC Knox, Brotherton, Knox & Godfrey Ruff, Bond, Cobb, Wade & Bethune, L.L.P. Shapiro & Ingle, L.L.P. The Law Offices of Swindell & Jones Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A. In Memory of Nick J. Miller Wells Daisley Rabon, P.A. Wells Fargo Legal Department Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman, PA +Multiyear Pledge to Bar History Book Project Individual Sponsors Patron ($2,500 & Up) Nancy & Peter Covington Hon. Robert P. Johnston Benefactor ($1,000 - $2,499) Dianne Chipps Bailey Francis J. Blanchfield A. Todd Brown Sr. Peter C. Buck Mark T. Calloway T. Hal Clarke Jr. Steven N. Cohen Michael A. DeMayo William K. Diehl Jr. Robert C. Dortch Douglas R. Edwards Ray S. Farris John C. Fennebresque Anthony A. Fox Peter S. Gilchrist Gary S. Hemric Rebecca S. Henderson Katherine S. Holliday H. Bryan Ives III Douglas M. Jarrell Patrick E. Kelly Haynes P. Lea DeWitt F. McCarley Alice K. Moore Bradley E. Pearce Randel E. Phillips Claire J. Rauscher Nancy & David Roberson In Honor of Patrick E. Kelly, In Memory of Marion Templeton Johnston and In Memory & Honor of the Past Presidents of the Mecklenburg County Bar & Mecklenburg Bar Foundation Russell M. Robinson II Raleigh A. Shoemaker Robert C. Stephens John N. Suhr Jr. Richard M. Thigpen Christopher M. Vann David B. Whelpley Jr. Supporter ($300 - $999) Hon. Paige McThenia & T. Jonathan Adams David N. Allen In Memory of Francis I. Parker James W. Allison John S. Arrowood G. Michael Barnhill Jonathan A. Barrett In Memory of George Covington George E. Battle III David L. Batty Louise & Mark Bernstein R. A. Bigger Jr. In Memory of Maurice A. Weinstein & In Honor of George J. Miller Louis A. Bledsoe Jr. Robert C. Bowers William P. Bray Jo Ann Brighton Jefferson W. Brown N. Deane Brunson James R. Bryant III Jonathan E. Buchan Jr. James P. Carroll Julie C. Chiu John H. Cobb Woody Connette James P. Cooney III Heather & Chris Culp George Daly 12 November

13 Tricia M. Derr Hon. Albert Diaz Jill Elyse Dinerman Ann T. Dorsett Hon. Karen Eady-Williams Jason D. Evans Mary Lindsay Evans Richard L. Farley William P. Farthing Jr. Jonathan H. Ferry Amy & Joey Foxhall Camille M. Davidson & Trevor M. Fuller Thomas D. Garlitz Kodwo P. Ghartey-Tagoe Alan S. Gordon Joseph W. Grier III Alton L. Gwaltney III Irvin W. Hankins III George V. Hanna III Averill C. Harkey Henry A. Harkey Hon. Jane V. Harper In Honor of Geraldine Sumter Robert E. Harrington Michael S. Hawley J. Richard Hazlett H. Parks Helms Edward T. Hinson Jr. Robert C. Hord Jr. Carl Horn III Steve C. Horowitz Michael A. Hudson Meredith S. Jeffries Amy K. Johnson Charles E. Johnson Cyrus M. Johnson David H. Jones Max E. Justice Michael S. Kennedy David Meade Kern Hannah H. Kim Frances & Edward Knox Nicole Bourget & Mark Kutny John W. Lassiter Scott Leo Hal A. Levinson Brandon M. Lofton Timothy Patrick Logan E. Lynwood Mallard Harrison L. Marshall Jr. Patti & Steve Mayo* Mrs. & Mr. Neill G. McBryde Valecia M. McDowell Pender R. McElroy C. Wayne McKinzie Kiran H. Mehta Daniel A. Merlin Mark W. Merritt Mark A. Michael Roy H. Michaux Jr. Hon. Calvin E. Murphy Deborah A. Nance In Memory of John Sinclair Leary Sr., John Thomas Sanders, Jesse Simpson Bowser, Leon Peter Harris, Ruffin Paige Boulding, Thomas Henry Wyche, Robert Davis Glass, Charles Vincent Bell & Walter Brewer Nivens Gretchen Nelli Frank C. Newton John H. Northey III Kimberly & Todd Owens Sally Higgins & Ray Owens Hon. Sarah E. Parker Angela G. Parrott Bailey Patrick Jr. Sean F. Perrin Kathy L. Pilkington Eugene C. Pridgen J. Norfleet Pruden III Charles H. Rabon Jr. Ernest W. Reigel David M. Schilli Jeffrey J. Schwartz Jane Whitt Sellers S. Mujeeb Shah-Khan Claire & Edward Shapack Nina Shor Bob Simmons George W. Sistrunk III Allen C. Smith Mary Kaczmarek & William Soukup Richard E. Thigpen Jr. Sydnor Thompson In Memory of Francis I. Parker Brent A. Torstrick Donald P. Ubell Angelique R. Vincent Hamlin L. Wade H. Landis Wade Jr. Clarence W. Walker Henry B. Ward III John R. Wester Contributor (Up to $299) Karen J. Adams Norris A. Adams II A. Mark Adcock F. Eugene Allison Marcus L. Andersoon Michael F. Anderson Russell J. Andrew Allain C. Andry Carrington M. Angel Anonymous Anonymous In Honor of Nancy Roberson Carla N. Archie Matthew R. Arnold E. Osborne Ayscue Jr. Martha G. Barber Samuel E. Barker Locke Beatty John W. Beddow Hon. Kimberly Best-Staton Beverly H. Binner Aretha V. Blake In Honor of Bob King Mike Boggs W. Leslie Boswell III Alicia & John Bowers Karla L. Boyd Hon. Selina M. Brooks Allen C. Brotherton Hon. Charlotte D. Brown L. Stanley Brown Herbert H. Browne Jr. Robert L. Burchette David S. Burkholder Kelli A. Burns Norman Butler Scott A. Cammarn Boyd C. Campbell Jr. Hon. Hugh B. Campbell Jr. Leah & Thomas Campbell Hon. Daphene L. Cantrell Mary V. Carrigan James R. Cass Elizabeth J. Caviness Rebecca S. Chaffin Julius L. Chambers Robert G. Chambers Sherry & James Champion Hon. Ronald L. Chapman Rebecca K. Cheney Christian P. Cherry Adrianne Chillemi Christopher Bradley Clare Dumont Clarke IV William M. Claytor Kenneth S. Coe Jon Coffin Howard M. Cohen John D. Cole Robert K. Corbett III Marion A. Cowell Jr. Anne Lafferty Crotty John R. Cunningham III Clayton S. Curry Jr. John F. Curry John T. Daniel William Dannelly Jeff A. Davis John P. Davis Jeremy M. Deese continued on page 14 November

14 BFF continued from page 13 Sharon Elizabeth Dent Alan G. Dexter Lope Max Diaz II Derek E. Dittner Miriam Ann Dixon Kathleen H. Dooley J. D. DuPuy Allison & Jonathan Edgar Catherine El-Khouri Maya & Wes Engle Nicole A. Epstein Margaret Errington Lex M. Erwin Kenneth F. Essex Hon. Yvonne Mims Evans Doug Ey Charity Babington Falls Jami Jackson Farris Theodore O. Fillette Rob Fisher Walter D. Fisher Jr. Patrick H. Flanagan John W. Fletcher III Lisa Flowers Debra L. Foster Mark P. Foster Hon. Linwood O. Foust R. Harcourt Fulton Sarah A. Fulton Holly Gambill Steven H. Garfinkel Mel Garofalo Stephen P. Gennett II Marc S. Gentile Ronald L. Gibson M. Heath Gilbert Jr. Karen A. Gledhill Lisa G. Godfrey Rakesh Gopalan Melissa L. Gray John W. Gresham Ted A. Greve Eugene S. Griggs Toni Kaneklides Grove In Memory of Judge Brent McKnight Stephen E. Gruendel Albert E. Guarnieri Robert J. Hahn Lisa & John Hairr William F. Hamel David B. Hamilton Hon. Tyyawdi M. Hands J. Hayden Harrell Ben Hawfield Jr. A. Myles Haynes Jr. Michael P. Hebert David L. Henderson Robert E. Henderson Joseph B. Henninger Tracy Hewett Henderson Hill Michael J. Hoefling Ryan P. Hoffman Ashley L. Hogewood Jr. Cory Hohnbaum Hon. Donnie Hoover Stephen D. Hope Adam L. Horner Andrew T. Houston Amy P. Hunt Hon. Robert C. Hunter Benne C. Hutson William C. Isenhour Marsha & Fincher Jarrell Grady Jessup Megan V. Johnson H. Morrison Johnston Jr. Matthew R. Joyner Jeff Kadis Peggy Kane Marshall H. Karro Lori R. Keeton Joseph Nicholas Kendall Hatcher B. Kincheloe Ann & Robert King Irene P. King William B. Kirk Jr. Stacie C. Knight Naho Kobayashi Paul A. Kohut C. Andrew Konia III Jonathan C. Krisko Sarah J. Kromer Bradley R. Kutrow Howard M. Labiner S. Luke Largess Anthony T. Lathrop Kenneth T. Lautenschlager M. Aaron Lay John S. Leary Association of Black Attorneys Louis L. Lesesne Jr. David L. Levy David T. Lewis Hon. Hugh B. Lewis Francisco J. Linares Rebecca & Erik Lindahl Robert G. Lindauer Jr. John C. Lindley III Raymond O. Linker Jr. Maria G. B. Long Harrison A. Lord Kathleen K. Lucchesi Craig T. Lynch Laura C. Manfreda Bentford E. Martin Peter McArdle Christopher M. McDermott A. Ward McKeithen Hon. Rickye McKoy-Mitchell Shawn A. McMillan Ann E. McMillin Mecklenburg County Bar In Memory of Charles B. Elderkin, Joseph J. Estwanik IV, Patrick V. Ford, Hon. William T. Grist, David H. Henderson, Hon. Clifton E. Johnson, Edgar Love III, Neil M. Miller, Nick J. Miller, Leon Olive, & Robert G. Sanders Lina James & Steven Meier Keith J. Merritt Shannon Metcalf Brent M. Milgrom Jr. George N. Miller In Memory of Nick J. Miller Katie Miller Leslie H. Miller Hon. Regan A. Miller Scott R. Miller Maria Blue Minsker Thomas L. Mitchell Victor C. Mitchener Eric A. Montgomery Linda K. Montgomery Travis W. Moon Luther T. Moore John A. Morrice John F. Morris Daniel V. Mumford John M. Murchison Jr. Jeffrey A. Nagle Rajsekhar Natarajan Michael Nedzbala John C. Nipp Hon. Theo X. Nixon Nancy Black Norelli In Honor of Judge Robert P. Johnston Holly B. Norvell Matthew J. Osman H. William Palmer Jr. Annemarie Pantazis John J. Parker III In Memory of John J. Parker & Francis I. Parker Ross H. Parr Jennifer McKay Patterson Sue Paty Allison Christy Pauls Richard A. Peniston Sonya Pfeiffer Henry N. Pharr II Shalanna L. Pirtle W. Edward Poe Jr. In Memory of William E. Poe Sr. 14 November

15 Samuel H. Poole Jr. Henry H. Ralston Martha L. Ramsay Donald Rawlins C. Richard Rayburn Jr. Vaughn K. Reynolds William L. Rikard Jr. Allen K. Robertson Michelle D. Robinson Virginia B. Rolfes Erik M. Rosenwood Richard J. Rossitch Heidi E. Royal Benjamin M. Royster David S. Rudolf D. Blaine Sanders In Memory of Neil M. Miller Chase B. Saunders Karl S. Sawyer Jr. Anna F. Schleunes Brian J. Schoeck Kenneth L. Schorr Benjamin F. Sidbury N. Lucille Siler Pamela K. Silverman Robert C. Sink Russell F. Sizemore Roy L. Smart III In Honor of Mark R. Bernstein James C. Smith Joshua M. Smith Nathan W. Spanheimer R.G. Spratt Judith A. Starrett Harry J. Stathopoulos Cheryl D. Steele Jackson N. Steele J. Christian Stevenson Andrew Stienecker Keith Stroud William H. Sturges John L. Sullivan Jr. Geraldine Sumter Jacob Sussman Julie K. Szeker James M. Talley Jr. Andrew D. Taylor Jr. Daniel L. Tedrick Bradley J. Thomas Kelly S. Thomas Glenn Thompson Laura Thompson Nicole Thompson Lauren Thurmond Beverly Bertram Timm R. Susanne Todd Wanda C. Townsend Kerry L. Traynum Deepa P. Tungare Bob Turner Scott M. Tyler Sally & William Van Allen Bradley T. Van Hoy Lauren M. Vaughn Melinda L. Vervais Jonathan A. Vogel Nancy E. Walker William B. Wallace Andrew M. Walsh Kristi & Jerry Walters Cameron Todd Ware S. Rogers Warner Jr. Gary J. Welch Allen L. West Cynthia L. White Martin L. White Michael Wielechowski Sam Williams Catherine C. Williamson Michael L. Wilson Elizabeth G. Wren Cameron & Richard Wright Julian H. Wright Jr. Melanie J. Wright Joshua J. Yablonski Constance L. Young Laura Zhao * Thank you to our Donors who utilize their Matching Organizations Bank of America The BFF Honor Roll The BFF Honor Roll recognizes those firms and organizations that have 100% attorney participation in donating to the Bar Foundation Fund. Special Thanks to: Hamilton Moon Stephens Steele & Martin, PLLC Kirk, Palmer & Thigpen, P.A. Knox, Brotherton, Knox & Godfrey Mecklenburg Bar Foundation Board of Directors Mecklenburg County Bar Board of Directors Do you want your firm to receive special recognition on the BFF Honor Roll? Contact Development Committee Chair Doug Jarrell at djarrell@rbh.com or Director of Foundation Development Leah Reed Campbell at lcampbell@meckbar.org or 704/ for more information. November