Awards of Achievement Cover Sheet

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1 Awards of Achievement Cover Sheet Number of Exhibits: 1 Name of YLD Affiliate: NC - North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Affiliate Type/Division: State Affiliate: Between 3000 and 8000 How did you hear about the AOA program? Friend/Colleague/Local Affiliate/YLD /YLD Website ORGANIZATION PROFILE Number of young lawyers in your affiliate: 4352 Is your organization affiliated with a senior bar? Yes If YES, is membership in your organization automatic? No If a state organization, are you voluntary or mandatory? Voluntary When does your fiscal year begin and end? July 1-June 30 CHAIRPERSON/PRESIDENT OF AFFILIATE Name: Clark Walton Address: 2901 Coltsgate Rd Ste 202, Charlotte, NC APPLICATION PREPARED BY (CONTACT PERSON) Name: Harrison Lord Address: 5821 Fairview Road, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC [email protected] Phone:

2 AWARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT Project Information Form Comprehensive Name of YLD Affiliate: NC - North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Project Title: Legal Feeding Frenzy Project Number: 1 of 7 Affiliate Type/Division: State Affiliate: Between 3000 and 8000 Type of Project: Pro Bono Projects Degree of Change or Growth: Continued Project Project Description: The Legal Feeding Frenzy is a food and funds drive coordinating the legal communities throughout North Carolina to benefit the State's major food banks. The NCBA YLD partnered with N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper and the N.C. Association of Feeding America Food Banks to promote and conduct the drive in a competition format. This year, we expanded the project to nearly twice the size of last year, with 79 participating organizations contributing the equivalent of 347,298 lbs. of food. / / In the spirit of friendly competition, YLD volunteers tracked contributions by law firms, legal offices, courts, and law schools around the state. Volunteers publicized the event at the state and local levels through , bar newsletters, and announcements at local bar association functions. More than thirty lawyers and court clerks participated in the kickoff event to pack emergency food orders at a Feeding America food bank to open the three-week competition. / / In all, 79 participating organizations raised the equivalent of 347,298 lbs., nearly doubling the 2013 total of 180,000 lbs. after all cans and monetary donations were counted. At the conclusion of the drive, Attorney General Roy Cooper recognized winners in seven categories at a catered award reception at the N.C. Bar Center. Needs Assessment: A leader of the State food-bank organization approached YLD representatives and requested our assistance in creating and implementing this project to help fulfill the state-wide need for donations to the various food-banks. North Carolina has a real

3 need for food assistance, and this time of year is traditionally a difficult one for food banks to meet needs. This project allows the YLD to help feed North Carolina's food-insecure population, while encouraging a spirit of collegiality, charity, and camaraderie in legal communities throughout the state. Achievement of Goals: The goal of the project was to achieve maximum participation from the legal community to raise the most amount of food possible. While last year's total of more than 180,000 pounds of food collected was impressive, this year, organizers set a goal of 250,000 pounds of food. With 79 legal employers participating, the 2014 project raised the equivalent of 347,298 lbs., shattering our goal and exceeding all expectations. If goals were not met, why? N/A Will this be a recurring project? Yes If Yes, will you make any revisions? We intend to make revisions to the timing of the competition to accommodate springbreak/scheduling issues among law schools and attorneys to increase participation. As this was the second year of the project, our efforts this year focused on recruiting teams and raising awareness to encourage participation. Next year's revisions may include multiple kickoff events and a concerted interstate challenge among attorneys general. Degree of Participation by Members How many young lawyer members actually participated in this project? How many young lawyer Leadership (officers, directors, board membership)? How many young lawyer committee members? How many young lawyer general membership? Was the project conducted with the Senior Bar? Yes What other groups or individuals participated and in what / numbers? Seventy-nine legal employers, from large firms, to law schools, to solo practitioners, to clerks of court participated

4 across the state. Each team designated a coordinator to act as contact person for purposes of their individual efforts. The majority of coordinating attorneys were young lawyers. What do you think is the optimum amount of members needed to / carry out this project? Three to five committee members. Timeframe How much time did it take to organize the project? Last year was the first year of the project, and we spent quite a bit of time working on logistics, a website, rules, and coordinating with the Attorney General's office and the food banks. This year, we expanded on that work, focusing on increasing awareness and recruiting volunteers and teams, coordinating the kickoff event and award ceremony, and coordinating with food banks. We estimate each committee member spent well over 50 hours working on these various tasks throughout the year. How much time did it take to recruit members for the project? Little to no time. Committee members volunteered at the beginning of the bar year, and then coordinated the project over the course of the year. How much time did it take to carry out the project from beginning / to end? Project planning began in earnest in September and the competition ran for three weeks in March, with an award ceremony in late April. Committee members were active in preparation and implementation regularly during these periods. Budget What was the cost of this project excluding in-kind/donated / services? $1,200. The award ceremony was catered by a Feeding America member institution and cost approximately $400; award plaques cost approximately $280. The remaining cost was for supplies, program and advertisement printing costs, and long distance committee How was the project funded? The project was funded through the YLD's budgetary outlays and in kind donations of conference services by committee chairs' law firms. How long did it take to raise the funds needed for this project? No time. The funds were included within the YLD's budget based on numbers from the previous year's competition.

5 Suggestions/Recommendations What suggestions/recommendations would you make to other young / lawyer groups who would consider undertaking a similar project? The program requires a significant effort to develop and implement protocols and systems before the initial competition begins. In subsequent years, the time burden shifts from processes to recruitment and advertising. Utilizing a website and internet tracking of donations and registrations resulted in a simple and streamlined process once the project was underway. Increasing awareness and generating "buzz" for the project was perhaps the most difficult challenge in the first year, and remained so during this second year. We found that involving local bars and issuing challenges to larger firms, as well as encouraging local "kickoff" volunteer events, were excellent ways to meet these challenges. Enlisting the help of the state attorney general allowed us to raise the profile and encouraged involvement from firms and individual attorneys that may not have been possible without that assistance. The best recommendation we would make, however, is simply to take the plunge and get a program off the ground. There is a tremendous need in our country for food assistance, and we found that each partnering food bank was grateful for the support we were able to provide. As the competition continues from year to year, we anticipate that it will continue to grow and attract new participation and enthusiasm for far greater donations.

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24 AWARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT Project Information Form Comprehensive Name of YLD Affiliate: NC - North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Project Title: Legal LINK Project Number: 2 of 7 Affiliate Type/Division: State Affiliate: Between 3000 and 8000 Type of Project: Diversity Degree of Change or Growth: Continued Project Project Description: The primary goal of Legal LINK is to increase diversity in the legal profession by holding a series of programs for interested students at participating high schools, introducing them to various aspects of the law and encouraging them to consider law as a career. / / This year Legal LINK was revised and expanded. Unfortunately, due to staffing changes our program at Northern High School in Durham ended this year, culminating in a field trip to the North Carolina Judicial Center and the Campbell School of Law in November for last year s participants. Legal LINK has expanded to two new schools this year: Southern High School in Durham and Garinger High School in Charlotte. Like Northern, the student bodies at both of these schools are composed of predominately under-represented minorities. YLD members formed the connections necessary to establish programs at these new schools. / / At Southern and Garinger, Legal LINK held three sessions for the students and took them on a field trip to expose them to various aspects of the legal profession. Though the content of the sessions varied between the two schools, each session was designed to share a different perspective on the practice of law with the students. Each session was designed and organized primarily by Jane Paksoy and Brooks Jaffa around a central theme. / / At both schools, one session featured members of the judiciary talking with the students about leadership and the role of the court. The session at Southern featured Justice Edmunds and Justice Jackson from the North Carolina Supreme Court and Judge McGee and Judge Stroud from the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The session at Garinger featured Judge Diaz from the Fourth Circuit and Judge Cureton, a Mecklenburg County District Court Judge (and a Garinger alumnus). / / Another session common to the two schools featured a number of attorneys from diverse

25 backgrounds who spoke with the students about their various practice areas. This session was designed so that the students would organize into small break out groups of two to three and the attorneys would rotate among all of the groups after approximately ten minutes. This format allowed the attorney and students to engage in a more personal manner while simultaneously developing the students networking skills. These sessions featured attorneys from a wide range of backgrounds, including government attorneys and attorneys in private practice. Many of the attorneys were young lawyers. The students were able to identify with young lawyers, which enabled them to connect in a unique manner. / / The other session at Southern was designed to provide information to the students about law school. This session featured two law students and the director of admissions from UNC School of Law. In this session, the students learned about the necessary steps to become a lawyer and about life in law school. Prior to this session, most of the students lacked a basic knowledge of the steps required to become a lawyer. / / As a result of this session, Legal LINK developed a relationship with UNC Law and the students at Southern were invited to visit UNC Law. On their field trip, the students toured the law school, met with students, and participated in a mock law school class on criminal law. This exposure increased their interest in the legal profession. Additionally, UNC Law has agreed to make this field trip a recurring event. / / The other session at Garinger was entirely designed by members of the Legal LINK committee. For this session we organized an interactive lesson for the students about the Fourth Amendment. As part of this session, we taught the students how lawyers approach issues. The students then participated in a mock suppression hearing to apply these skills and allow them to experience one aspect of being an attorney. / / The Garinger students also went on a field trip to the federal courthouse. On the field trip the students had the opportunity to watch hearings. Additionally, the students conducted a simulated hearing that we prepared for them. This hearing was conducted in courtroom, with the students participating in every role. / / Finally, this bar year Legal LINK laid the foundation to expand further to additional schools next year at additional locations in Charlotte and in Greensboro. / Needs Assessment: This project is designed to increase diversity in the legal profession by increasing the number of minorities in the legal pipeline. The target audience for this project is high school students in predominately minority schools. Achievement of Goals: Though it is too early to determine the project's effects on its long term goal of increasing diversity in the legal profession, the program has achieved its short-term goal of encouraging students to consider the law. This year Legal LINK successfully expanded this program from one school, Northern, to putting on programs for three different schools, Northern, Southern, and Garinger. Additionally, we expanded the number of students participating in the program from thirteen last year to approximately thirty-five this year. Legal LINK has also expanded its geographical presence to Charlotte. We have also made connections to continue Legal LINK s expansion in future years to additional schools in Charlotte and schools in Greensboro.

26 If goals were not met, why? N/A Will this be a recurring project? Yes If Yes, will you make any revisions? Legal LINK will continue to make revisions as necessary to ensure the program's continued success. One of the main reasons that Legal LINK was so successful this year was because we revised the program to make it much more flexible. This flexibility allowed us to form our program to the needs of the school and students with whom we worked. Holding monthly sessions spread over a semester as opposed to multiple sessions in a single month decreased the burden on the participating schools and allowed us to expand. / / The one major revision planned for the coming bar year is a more formal system for continuing mentoring with the students. Currently, students receive the committee chair's mail address, but there is concern about continuity. We intend to develop a Legal LINK address, which will allow multiple users to respond to student queries. / Degree of Participation by Members How many young lawyer members actually participated in this project? How many young lawyer Leadership (officers, directors, board membership)? 5 How many young lawyer committee members? 7 How many young lawyer general membership? 15 Was the project conducted with the Senior Bar? No What other groups or individuals participated and in what / numbers? Obviously, we work extensively with the schools. Beyond the members of the Legal LINK committee and other members of the YLD, Legal LINK had broad support from other members of the NCBA. Legal LINK put a call for volunteers in an e-bar in late January. More than fifty attorneys volunteered to speak to the students. Out of those volunteers, approximately twenty volunteers spoke to the students. Additionally, we have formed a strong relationship with UNC Law. What do you think is the optimum amount of members needed to / carry out this project? Legal LINK would optimally be run by three or four dedicated members in each city where there was a program in addition to the committee s leadership.

27 Timeframe How much time did it take to organize the project? Legal LINK took several intense weeks to organize this year. This was due in large part to the need to recruit new schools to partner with and to revise the structure and format of Legal LINK to decrease the burden on the schools. How much time did it take to recruit members for the project? Recruiting the necessary committee members did not take a great deal of time since most of them volunteered for this committee. Recruiting and organizing speakers for the sessions took several hours. After sorting through and responding to the attorneys who volunteered in response to our post in the e-bar, we contacted certain individuals to speak at specific sessions. How much time did it take to carry out the project from beginning / to end? This project took several months to carry out in its entirety. The time spent revising the Legal LINK program and forming partnerships with new schools was especially time intensive. Budget What was the cost of this project excluding in-kind/donated / services? Legal LINK spent approximately $500 this year. This money was used almost entirely to pay for the three field trips that we organized so that the students would not incur any cost. How was the project funded? Legal LINK was funded by an initial ABA grant for $2000 from Legal LINK continues to use the funds from this grant and after this year will have between $ remaining. How long did it take to raise the funds needed for this project? The funds for Legal LINK were already in place. Suggestions/Recommendations What suggestions/recommendations would you make to other young / lawyer groups who would consider undertaking a similar project? Involve lawyers who have prior teaching experience and contacts with schools from the beginning. It takes a significant amount of time to build a relationship with the school and to establish the program. Another key to making this program succeed is flexibility and minimizing the burden on the school.

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37 AWARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT Project Information Form Comprehensive Name of YLD Affiliate: NC - North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Project Title: Silent Auction Benefiting Legal Aid Project Number: 3 of 7 Affiliate Type/Division: State Affiliate: Between 3000 and 8000 Type of Project: Special Events Degree of Change or Growth: Continued Project Project Description: Over the past several years, Legal Aid of North Carolina ("LANC") has suffered budget cuts across the board. The Young Lawyer's Division sought a way to help supplement these budget cuts by creating a silent auction at our annual meeting, the proceeds of which go towards the Legal Aid Endowment Fund. In past years, this auction has consisted primarily of arts and crafts created by lawyers; however, this year, the auction has been expanded to include other items such as in-kind services, sports memorabilia from state professional teams, a wine grab, gift certificates and more. Young lawyers across the state not only implement and coordinate this auction; they solicit state-wide for items to be included in the auction. Many even donate items or services themselves! The project not only helps indigent clients across the state to receive the legal assistance they need, it also provides much-needed funds to LANC in this time of economic crisis and budget cuts. Needs Assessment: As stated previously, this is a continuing project that has been ongoing for a number of years within the YLD. The initial motivation was external; we saw a need to help LANC so that they could provide their much-needed services across the state. While our monetary contribution is quite small in the grand scheme of things, we also promote awareness of LANC's needs through our event each year at our annual meeting. / / Moreover, this year the project has expanded in recognition of both the fact that the traditional silent auction approach had grown stale, and that LANC's needs have grown significantly.

38 Achievement of Goals: This project generally has two goals: (1) to garner as many donations as we can for the auction; and (2) to earn as much money as we can for LANC. Each year, we set higher goals for the auction and continually exceed them. This year, our goal is to obtain 30 donations, with a gross receipt of $5, Though the results will not be totaled until the final day of this bar year at the annual meeting, based on donor support and member enthusiasm, we feel optimistic that we may exceed our goal. If goals were not met, why? N/A Will this be a recurring project? Yes If Yes, will you make any revisions? This year will be the first year of our new model (incorporating items in addition to arts and crafts). If this model is successful, we will continue with it in future years. Degree of Participation by Members How many young lawyer members actually participated in this project? How many young lawyer Leadership (officers, directors, board membership)? 2 How many young lawyer committee members? 2 How many young lawyer general membership? 15+ Was the project conducted with the Senior Bar? Yes What other groups or individuals participated and in what / numbers? Law Schools across the state have participated in this project, particularly Elon University School of Law. Law firms state-wide have also contributed their time and effort into obtaining donations for the auction. What do you think is the optimum amount of members needed to / carry out this project? 10

39 Timeframe How much time did it take to organize the project? It usually takes an entire bar year to organize the auction and obtain sufficient donations for its success. How much time did it take to recruit members for the project? Little to no time. Members volunteer for this project; the committee members do a majority of the work. How much time did it take to carry out the project from beginning / to end? As noted above, the work of the project occurs throughout the year. Once the auction actually starts, it takes about two days to complete. Budget What was the cost of this project excluding in-kind/donated / services? There is minimal cost for this project, apart from paying for the hotel space that is consumed at our annual meeting, as well as printing and signage (generally about $1,000.00). How was the project funded? The project is funded through the committee's budget, which comes from the North Carolina Bar Assocation YLD's larger budget. How long did it take to raise the funds needed for this project? No time. Suggestions/Recommendations What suggestions/recommendations would you make to other young / lawyer groups who would consider undertaking a similar project? Reach out to any friends that are in public service; this is a project that they feel they can get behind and will often help with coordination, implementation, and finding donations.

40 AWARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT Project Information Form Comprehensive Name of YLD Affiliate: NC - North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Project Title: Bar Exam Workshop and Tutoring Project Number: 4 of 7 Affiliate Type/Division: State Affiliate: Between 3000 and 8000 Type of Project: Educational Degree of Change or Growth: Continued Project Project Description: The Bar Exam Workshop and Tutoring Program is focused on the needs of recent law school grads who are taking the bar exam. The tutoring part of the program pairs bar applicants with practicing young lawyers with the purpose of reviewing essay structure and format in preparation for the North Carolina bar exam. During the course of the tutoring relationship, the young lawyers work one-on-one with bar applicants to provide support, feedback on essay writing, and test taking tips. This bar year we matched fifty-four tutoring pairs. We have had wonderful comments from applicants who have participated in the bar exam tutoring program, such as: I passed! The YLD bar exam committee is pretty awesome! Dear Jacquelyn, Rachel and the Entire NC Bar Association, I wanted to share with you that I passed the NC Bar Exam! Erika was an amazing tutor / supporter! Thanks for all of your support! This part of the program is a rewarding opportunity for YLD members to make an impact on a soon-to-be-attorney s life, and assist our future colleagues on their journey to being admitted to the bar. Furthermore, this program provides applicants with a positive, personal experience with the bar association. / / The Bar Exam Workshop is offered at least twice a bar year, once before the February exam and once before the July exam. During the workshop, which is run by the committee chair, attendees learn about the North Carolina Bar Exam, its structure, format, and what to expect. Although the law schools do their best to prepare students for what the exam will be like, the attendees always find it helpful to hear about the exam and preparation process from a young lawyer who has taken the bar recently. The attendees also have the opportunity to work through several past North Carolina Bar exam questions in groups, guided by the instructor. They practice outlining the essays, and discuss

41 why certain strategies work and why others aren t as effective when answering essay questions. We have received wonderful comments from the attendees who consistently appreciate the honest advice and practice exercises. Rachel did a great job sharing her experiences and making us feel comfortable. This was a really helpful exercise. This [the workshop] was very effective! I really liked the handouts. Very helpful. Rachel took the time to break down the essay writing process. Information & suggestions for formatting essays was very helpful Great to walk through outlining an essay So helpful glad I attended! Excellent instruction. Clear & concise. Over this bar year we have expanded the number of bar exam workshops beyond the two which are traditionally held at the Bar Center in Cary, NC. An additional bar exam workshop was held at Elon School of Law in Greensboro NC in November. We provided this bar exam workshop to ninety applicants over the course of the bar year. Again, this program provides not only educational support to bar applicants, but also provides them with a personal connection with the bar association and the services it provides. / / This program culminates each bar cycle with a meet and greet event after the final day of each bar exam. YLD members meet bar examinees outside the exam with congratulate them on completing the exam. The YLD members also provide each examinee with a snack and a drink, courtesy of the YLD. This event, for many, the first time they have had direct contact with the NCBA and the YLD. At these events we supply each applicant with a drink and a snack. As the number of examinees has grown the number of locations has grown. This past bar year we have expanded to two locations at each bar exam, both July and February. Previously the exam was held in one location. With the help of our volunteers we have been able to be present at every bar exam location both in the heat of July 2013, and the chill of February 2014 Examinees are incredibly appreciative of this gesture by the NCBA and the YLD. Examinees have expressed appreciation for the NCBA and YLD s support after the exam, they have also said, I want to be involved in the YLD after I pass so I can help out at events like this. The support we provide at the end of a long bar exam process builds incredible goodwill amongst the bar examinees, and provides them with a path to joining the NCBA. Over the bar year, we have had twenty YLD members participate in this event. / Needs Assessment: This program is targeting all students who will be taking the North Carolina Bar Exam. We recognize that the purpose of the law schools is to educate students, but not necessarily to prepare them for the bar exam. We feel that this program is an incredible opportunity for a bar exam applicant to form a mentor relationship with a practicing attorney who has recently been in their shoes. It is imperative that we, as a bar, recognize the importance of reaching out to people who are on the brink of becoming attorneys, both to set up those mentoring relationships, and to build membership in the NCBA. Achievement of Goals: The objectives are: to provide educational support for bar exam applicants through a tutoring based mentor relationship with a young lawyer and/or a bar exam workshop; and to provide examinees with the emotional support of the NCBA and YLD after the exam.

42 If goals were not met, why? N/A Will this be a recurring project? Yes If Yes, will you make any revisions? As we continue to build relationships with key staff and professors at the North Carolina law schools we hope to expand the bar exam workshop part of the program to at least three law schools each year in addition to the two traditionally held programs at the Bar Center in Cary. Degree of Participation by Members How many young lawyer members actually participated in this project? How many young lawyer Leadership (officers, directors, board membership)? 12 How many young lawyer committee members? 10 How many young lawyer general membership? 45 Was the project conducted with the Senior Bar? No What other groups or individuals participated and in what / numbers? None. What do you think is the optimum amount of members needed to / carry out this project? In order to serve the numbers of applicants for the North Carolina Bar Exam, we need between 60 and 80 volunteers each year to assist with this three-prong program. Timeframe How much time did it take to organize the project? The project is an ongoing project throughout the bar year and requires approximately 60 hours of time over the course of the year for the committee leadership to manage the program as a whole. How much time did it take to recruit members for the project? The NCBA YLD members are wonderful volunteers for this type of work, and it took approximately 5 hours to recruit members over the course of the year to assist with tutoring, the meet and greet event, and the workshops.

43 How much time did it take to carry out the project from beginning / to end? Again, as this is an ongoing project which occurs throughout the bar year, it takes approximately 16 hours of volunteer time to carry out both meet and greets, hours of time for the bar exam workshops, and 4-5 hours for each tutor/tutee relationship Budget What was the cost of this project excluding in-kind/donated / services? Over the course of the bar year, the cost was approximately $4,500 for three bar exam workshops, and two bar exam meet and greet events. How was the project funded? The project was funded through the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation Endowment. / How long did it take to raise the funds needed for this project? The two cyclical funding requests to the NC Bar Association Foundation, along with drafting updates for the funder took approximately 16 hours of time. Suggestions/Recommendations What suggestions/recommendations would you make to other young / lawyer groups who would consider undertaking a similar project? This project is an incredibly rewarding way for the YLD members to make connections and mentor relationships with people who will be joining the profession. It is an opportunity to model professionalism, excellent writing, and mentoring to those who will need to take on leadership roles in the future. Although the threepart sections of the program can be time-consuming, it is an excellent way to reach out to the next generation and build membership within your YLD through sincere relationships. Although not required, when creating this program it is helpful to utilize the skills of young lawyer who has a teaching or curriculum design background to create power points and handouts for the workshops.

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46 AWARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT Project Information Form Comprehensive Name of YLD Affiliate: NC - North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Project Title: Project Grace Project Number: 5 of 7 Affiliate Type/Division: State Affiliate: Between 3000 and 8000 Type of Project: Pro Bono Projects Degree of Change or Growth: Continued Project Project Description: Project Grace is a legal clinic to draft Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Wills for the elderly and those of limited resources. These documents are critical to one faced with a serious accident or illness, when cannot speak for oneself. Unfortunately, the necessity of these documents is often realized when it is too late. Yet, many do not have these vital documents because of the costs associated with attorney s fees. Project Grace provides that service for free. Members of the public who attend a Project Grace Clinic leave with a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will, professionally drafted and reviewed by an attorney, in a folder for permanent safekeeping or recording. During Project Grace Clinics NCBA YLD volunteers draft Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Wills, and provide guidance relating thereto, to elderly and indigent citizens of North Carolina at no cost. The young lawyer volunteers include those with extensive experience in Estate Planning (a field of law not often reached for volunteer projects) and those from small law firms, solo practitioners, and paralegals. Needs Assessment: Project Grace provides a service to the public that does not otherwise exist; there is no other pro bono Estate Planning service for the elderly or indigent community of North Carolina to provide Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Wills. Project Grace provides Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Wills to the elderly and indigent citizens of North Carolina at no cost. No other such service is currently provided, as Legal Aid of North

47 Carolina does not provide Estate Planning services and other pro bono Estate Planning programs are directed to serving only military and law enforcement. Achievement of Goals: Our goal was to have three legal clinics throughout the State, and we were able to achieve that goal, with a clinic in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh. At the end of our Greensboro event, the Operations Director wanted to know if we could schedule another event for next year (or sooner), as it was the most well attended event that they had at their Senior Center, serving a critical need for their citizens. If goals were not met, why? N/A Will this be a recurring project? Yes If Yes, will you make any revisions? We will try to work on marketing to ensure we can reach as many people as possible. Degree of Participation by Members How many young lawyer members actually participated in this project? How many young lawyer Leadership (officers, directors, board membership)? 3 How many young lawyer committee members? 10 How many young lawyer general membership? 30 Was the project conducted with the Senior Bar? No What other groups or individuals participated and in what / numbers? Senior Resources of Guilford / Alliance Medical Ministry / Urban Ministries / Resources for Seniors, Inc. What do you think is the optimum amount of members needed to / carry out this project? volunteers per clinic

48 Timeframe How much time did it take to organize the project? One to two months initial planning and then one to two months per clinic. How much time did it take to recruit members for the project? One month per clinic. How much time did it take to carry out the project from beginning / to end? One year. Budget What was the cost of this project excluding in-kind/donated / services? Although we had $1500 in funds, the total amount needed to do such a project successfully far exceeds that amount. How was the project funded? $1,500 NCBA Endowment Grants. How long did it take to raise the funds needed for this project? The grants were our only funding. Suggestions/Recommendations What suggestions/recommendations would you make to other young / lawyer groups who would consider undertaking a similar project? Marketing and collaboration with community organizations are the keys to success. Also, make sure that there is an estate planning expert on your team to review the documents during the initial planning phase.

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51 AWARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT Project Information Form Comprehensive Name of YLD Affiliate: NC - North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Project Title: Press Write Ups Recognizing the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Award Recipients Project Number: 6 of 7 Affiliate Type/Division: State Affiliate: Between 3000 and 8000 Type of Project: Commemorative Events Degree of Change or Growth: Continued Project Project Description: Each year, the NCBA recognizes North Carolina lawyers who exemplify the ideal of a Citizen Lawyer that is, a lawyer who, in addition to their legal work, serves their communities and the State in numerous ways including public service in appointed and elected positions, work with non-profit charitable and political organizations, and by volunteering with charitable organizations. The award recipients represent a broad cross-section of North Carolina lawyers, with a good mix of firm sizes and practice types and an eye toward maintaining gender, racial, and geographic inclusivity. / / The NCBA carries out this project through a number of Working Groups (e.g., Selection, Professionalism and Outreach) and includes a YLD Coordinator, who leads a group of YLD members in preparing write-ups for each of the Citizen Lawyers to showcase their exemplary record of service, which are disseminated for publication to print and electronic media outlets throughout the State. / Needs Assessment: By recognizing Citizen Lawyers throughout our State, the Citizen Lawyer Committee seeks to inspire other North Carolina lawyers to become Citizen Lawyers and to enhance the reputation of the profession in the eyes of the public. Achievement of Goals:

52 For YLD members to assist the NCBA in recognizing North Carolina lawyers who have gone beyond their law practice to make outstanding contributions of leadership and service to their communities by writing news articles about them for publication. If goals were not met, why? N/A Will this be a recurring project? Yes If Yes, will you make any revisions? Yes, next year the YLD Coordinator would like to provide additional guidance on NCBA formatting and style guidelines for written materials. Degree of Participation by Members How many young lawyer members actually participated in this project? How many young lawyer Leadership (officers, directors, board membership)? 1 How many young lawyer committee members? 19 How many young lawyer general membership? 0 Was the project conducted with the Senior Bar? Yes What other groups or individuals participated and in what / numbers? The nineteen lawyers honored with the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Award. What do you think is the optimum amount of members needed to / carry out this project? For the YLD s role in the project, one volunteer per award recipient, plus one committee chair to coordinate the logistics and to serve as a liaison between the NCBA and the YLD. Timeframe How much time did it take to organize the project? Very little; it is simply a matter of linking writers with recipients.

53 How much time did it take to recruit members for the project? This depends heavily yearto-year. How much time did it take to carry out the project from beginning / to end? Approximately three months. Budget What was the cost of this project excluding in-kind/donated / services? No monetary costs related to the YLD s role in the project. How was the project funded? N/A How long did it take to raise the funds needed for this project? N/A Suggestions/Recommendations What suggestions/recommendations would you make to other young / lawyer groups who would consider undertaking a similar project? To contact the current YLD Coordinator to learn more about how this project has evolved over time and to discuss project logistics.

54 BRENT D. BARRINGER Written By: Lindsey W. Spain CARY Brent Barringer is one of the recipients of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Award through the North Carolina Bar Association. Awardees are selected based upon their outstanding commitment to public service in their community. Barringer is a native of Rowan County, North Carolina. He received both his undergraduate degree in Business Administration (in 1981 with Highest Honors) and his Juris Doctor (in 1984) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It was also in Chapel Hill that he met his wife, Tamara, to whom he has been married for nearly 32 years. After serving as law clerk for the Honorable Eugene A. Gordon, then a Senior Judge for the United States District Court in the Middle District of North Carolina, Barringer went on to start his own firm in Cary in He still serves as Senior Partner of Barringer Sasser, LLP and focuses his practice on small business and corporate transactional work, commercial real estate, and residential development. Barringer is not one to talk about his accomplishments. When asked to describe his public service experience, he tended to gloss over his work and focus on his wife s achievements. Barringer is extremely proud of his wife who represents Wake County in the North Carolina Senate when not teaching as a Clinical Professor of Business Law & Ethics at the UNC-CH Kenan-Flagler Business School and serving as Of Counsel to Barringer Sasser, LLP. Senator Barringer explains that her husband has always lived by the motto he learned from Judge Gordon while clerking: There s no limit to what a person can accomplish if he doesn t care who gets the credit. However, now is the time to give credit to Barringer who his wife calls dedicated to public service. There is a long list of Barringer s civic involvement. He currently serves as an appointed member and the Vice-Chair of the Centennial Authority of the PNC Arena and is an active member in the Cary Rotary Club. Previously, he served as a Member of the UNC Board of Governors for 9 years, a founder and Member of the Bank and Holding Company Board of Directors for Crescent Financial Bancshares/Vantage South Bank for over 16 years, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Cary Chamber of Commerce, and numerous other activities. However, what Barringer speaks most passionately about is his time as a Licensed Foster Parent through the Methodist Home for Children. Both he and his wife acted as Licensed Foster Parents for ten years and all three of their children, two daughters and a son, were adopted through the foster program. He and his wife continue to be advocates for foster children, and his wife describes him as a real champion for these kids.

55 Barringer is descended from over six generations of Lutheran ministers in North Carolina. In fact, his original North Carolina ancestor was the second Lutheran minister to arrive in our state from Germany soon after Somewhat to his maternal grandmother s dismay, Barringer did not carry on the family tradition as a Lutheran minister. However, his devotion to public service and to serving his community, particularly those without a voice like foster children, demonstrates how his family s heritage of helping and caring for others has shaped Barringer s character. For these reasons, Barringer is truly a Citizen Lawyer. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Lindsey W. Spain is an attorney at Thomas, Ferguson & Mullins, L.L.P. in Durham JUDGE C. CHRISTOPHER BEAN Written By: Jessica Gorczynski EDENTON The North Carolina Bar Association is proud to recognize the Honorable Christopher Bean as a 2013 recipient of the Citizen Lawyer Award. The award honors attorneys who provide exemplary public service to their communities. Bean began his legal career as an assistant district attorney in the First Judicial District and went on to serve as a staff attorney for the North Carolina State Bar. He moved to Edenton, NC in 1979 and there he began the private practice of law. Bean became an attorney due in large part to the encouragement of his family, but has always had a strong passion for history and architecture. In Edenton, Bean found a place that fostered both his career and his longstanding interest in history and architecture. He presently serves as Chief District Court Judge in the First Judicial District and as a diversion from his busy career on the bench, Bean is active in efforts to preserve and protect Edenton s rich architectural history. Longtime friend Samuel Dixon notes Bean s dedication to making Edenton a more beautiful place to live by sharing his knowledge of architecture with the community. Bean has served for thirty three years as a board member on the Edenton Historical Commission (and as a chairman for four of those years), and has served for twenty years as President of the Edenton Historical Foundation. His work in this regard has included planning fundraisers for the Historical Commission to provide the principal sources of income for the Commission.

56 Bean has been personally responsible for over thirty architectural design projects in Edenton, ensuring that additions and renovations to historic buildings preserve and enhance the existing architecture of the buildings. In particular, the Penelope Barker House is a notable landmark of Edenton built in 1782 that has benefited substantially from Bean s efforts. Not only has Bean designed and supervised the renovation of various architectural features of the house, but he also leapt into action prior to the arrival of Hurricane Isabel (which veered off course and unexpectedly hit Edenton) to physically salvage all the antique furniture, rugs, and paintings from the house. Bean notes the great pride he and his fellow Edenton citizens feel for their historical town. As a true citizen lawyer, he serves his community not only in a legal capacity, but also through his efforts to ensure that the history of Edenton is preserved for generations to come. Bean describes these diversions from his career as providing a great deal of personal purpose and satisfaction and encourages all attorneys and judges to find and embrace such diversions for themselves. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Jessica Gorczynski is an attorney at Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP in Raleigh TIMOTHY D. EDWARDS Written By: Colin Shive FAYETTEVILLE When Tim Edwards left home for Liberty University in the late 1980s, he envisioned a career for himself in entertainment law. He grew up surrounded by music in his father s Baptist church and wanted to represent artists in contract negotiations. His affinity for the performing arts temporarily diminished, however, when he failed to make the final cut for Liberty University s traveling musical group, The Sounds of Liberty. He instead joined the University s top-ranked debate team and began to see himself as a future litigator. Edwards is now a prominent family law attorney in Fayetteville, where he spends a substantial portion of his time serving on nonprofit boards and contributing to the

57 local arts scene. The two groups that Edwards is most involved with presently are the Child Advocacy Center and Better Health of Cumberland County. His involvement with the Child Advocacy Center began with the recommendation of Chief District Court Judge Elizabeth Keever, whom he considers an important mentor. He started out working one of the group s fundraisers and next year will serve as board chair. The center has weekly case reviews during which a team of providers discusses the cases of abused children whom the organization serves. Edwards says, "If you go to a case review and don t feel something for these children, then you need to go to the doctor and get your heart checked. Roberta Humphries, the center s executive director, says that Edwards goes the extra mile to serve the organization by mentoring new board members and even hosting the center s annual Christmas party. Edwards first heard of Better Health from his neighbor, who was the organization s executive director. The organization serves the unmet healthcare needs of local citizens, including many diabetic patients. Edwards was drawn to the organization because of his experience growing up seeing both his mom and brother battle diabetes. Edwards says that so often people complain about the community where they live and work but that quite frequently, they have done nothing to invest themselves in their community. Edwards encourages young attorneys to become actively involved in addressing the problems they see in their communities. I see volunteer work as an investment in my community and an investment in my life. His performing career has also come full circle since his days at Liberty, as he now regularly appears in local musical productions. He notes that he typically earns roles based on his singing ability, but that he can t dance to save his life. During a production of Oklahoma!, Edwards had a scene in which he was supposed to perform a show stopping tap dance routine. Instead he simply shuffled from one side of the stage to the other while a young girl stood behind the curtain and tapped as loud as she could. Hopefully we fooled at least a couple people. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Colin Shive is an attorney at Tharrington Smith, LLP in Raleigh

58 GARLAND GRAHAM Written By: By: Laura J. Dildine GREENSBORO Is it possible to be a mother, wife, regularly recognized star of the legal profession, member and leader of legal professional organizations, recent member of the Board of Directors of Greensboro Rotary Club, and founder and president of Red Dog Farm which has rescued nearly 1,800 animals since its inception? If you don t think so, then you haven t met Garland Graham. The North Carolina Bar Association has honored Graham as a 2014 Citizen Lawyer. The NCBA Citizen Lawyer Award was established in 2007 to recognize lawyers such as Graham who provide exemplary public service to their communities. Graham is a graduate of the University of Florida undergraduate and law schools, both with honors. She is presently a Member of Schell Bray PLLC in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she practices business law, including general corporate matters, mergers and acquisitions, and low income housing tax credits. Although Graham s professional honors and memberships are well worth an article themselves, Graham s work with Red Dog Farm best exemplifies her public service to the community. In 2006, after serving on the Board of Directors of the Humane Society of the Piedmont and volunteering with other rescue organizations, Graham realized that, although there are great organizations focused on dogs and cats, there are very few options for someone needing to surrender the family horse, pet goats, or other farm animals. So, Graham decided to establish a nonprofit animal rescue organization open to animals of all sizes, but especially dedicated to domestic farm animals in need. The need was far greater than Graham, or her husband Gary, envisioned. In 2008, they hired an Executive Director and opened an administrative office at Bur-Mil Park. Graham continues to serve as President and Director of Large Animal Adoptions. To date, Red Dog Farm has taken in almost 1,800 animals of all sizes, including dogs and cats, exotic birds, pot bellied pigs, horses, cows, donkeys, sheep, goats and others. Where does Graham find the energy to be a Citizen Lawyer? From the diversity of her life as a mother, wife, lawyer, and volunteer being surrounded by smart, driven, analytical thinkers one moment of the day and mucking stalls, answering crisis calls, and saving animals the next. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond.

59 Laura J. Dildine is an attorney at Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP in Greensboro GEORGE V. HANNA III Written By: Ben Snyder CHARLOTTE When you get involved in an organization or live in a community, you get active. This is the general philosophy of George V. Hanna III, recipient of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Award. This philosophy explains why after Hanna joined Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte after graduating from UNC Law and clerking for North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Joseph Branch, he quickly got involved with the local Mecklenburg County Bar. Before too long, he got active in the bar s leadership. Hanna chaired the Mecklenburg County Bar s Young Lawyers Division, served for 10 years on the Volunteer Lawyer s Committee, co-founded and chaired its Diversity Committee, was the President of the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation and was the President of the Mecklenburg County Bar for the term. For the last five years, he has served as a co-chair of the MCB s Memorials Committee. Hanna s philosophy also explains why when he first got involved in pro bono service with Legal Aid Society of Mecklenburg County he did not just limit himself to handling client intake interviews. He got active in the organizational leadership. He joined the board of directors of what is now Legal Services of the Southern Piedmont and served for a time as its chair. He also joined the North Carolina Bar Association s Pro Bono Planning Committee, served as its chair for three years, and contributed to the effort to adopt Rule 6.1 of the NC Rules of Professional Conduct regarding pro bono service. Hanna has served on the NCBA 4All Task Force and on the NCBA Board of Governors and currently serves on the NC Chief Justice s Equal Access to Justice Commission. He also served as chair of the Board of the Children s Law Center s (now Council for Children s Rights). When asked why pro bono service is important to the legal profession, Hanna s answer is simple: lawyers must do their part. Beyond professional duty, Hanna will tell you that pro bono service is about personal satisfaction, getting involved in something you are passionate about, and having experiences you would not otherwise have with clients you would not otherwise meet. Hanna s get active philosophy explains why when he joined his local YMCA he did not just go to work out; he got active. He joined the board of the Harris YMCA just after its founding and today it is one of the most successful family oriented Y s in the country. Hanna also served on the McCrorey YMCA Branch board, eventually

60 becoming its chair, the Simmons YMCA Branch board and the Charlotte YMCA Community Development board, also as chair. Hanna s philosophy on getting active has led him to serve as chair of Moore & Van Allen s Pro Bono/Public Service Committee and its Diversity Committee. Diversity has always been important to Hanna because he considers erasing preconceived notions as to who should get a shot to be an issue of fairness. Hanna s philosophy led him in his family life to chair his sons boy scouts troop committee when they were young and, along with his wife Deb, to co-chair the Mecklenburg County Boy Scouts Urban Scouting Committee. It led him to get active in the Charlotte community by participating in the Community Building Initiative and its Leadership Development Initiative. One s philosophy is best expressed not in one s words but in the choices one makes. For the many people whose lives Hanna has touched throughout his work in professional leadership, pro bono service, diversity, or civic engagement, it is a true blessing that Hanna made the choice to get active. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Ben Snyder is an attorney at the Law Offices of Stefan R. Lattore P.A. in Charlotte HEATHER R. KLEIN Written By: Kip D. Nelson SPARTA Whether it s baking a cake for a private Christian school, coaching a mock trial team, or serving as secretary of the local bar, Heather Klein always finds time to be involved in her community. Those who serve with her have been impressed by her warmth, energy, and leadership. Louise Paglen, a colleague in Sparta, North Carolina, said that Klein inspires her fellow lawyers to get involved whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself. Klein has always been civic minded. During law school in Florida, Klein was active in a legal fraternity that provided services for local youth. Klein brought that experience along when she moved to the mountains of North Carolina in Upon her arrival, her friend and mentor Ed Adams suggested that she get involved in the community. Klein said she took that to heart and ran with it.

61 And run she has. Now, Klein enjoys being part of a small but giving community of people who support others that may not have a lot. She is an active part of the local rotary club, which raises substantial funds every year and returns the money to the community. She has also been a board member of the local wellness center since 2004, shortly after it opened, and has been involved with everything from making pancakes to making decisions about fee structure. Add to that her work with the chamber of commerce, the Alleghany Connections (similar to Big Brothers/Big Sisters), and various non-profit organizations, and Klein has her hands full. In fact, a fellow board member has affectionately dubbed her the queen of everything. Running her own law office since 2005, Klein has seen some unexpected business development rewards for her efforts. She is a general practice lawyer in Alleghany County, located near the border of Virginia. Klein believes that people in the small community feel comfortable coming to her for legal work because they already know her through her civic activities. But beyond the business leads, Klein finds that being involved in her community is very rewarding. She says that she finds satisfaction in serving other people, which makes her happy busy, but happy. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Kip D. Nelson is an attorney at Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP in Greensboro JOHN W. LASSITER Written By: Adam Hocutt CHARLOTTE The North Carolina Bar Association is proud to recognize Charlotte attorney, John Lassiter, with its Citizen Lawyer Award. The award honors attorneys who provide exemplary public service to their communities. Lassiter s civic endeavors span four decades and throughout many cross-sections of the community. Given his many commitments, it is hard to believe Lassiter finds time to manage his own company, Carolina Legal Staffing LLC, which has been recognized as one of the top small businesses in the southeast.

62 Lassiter has been recognized for his service as a three-term member of the Charlotte City Council as well as the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, where he led efforts to build the Levine Cultural Campus and the Epicentre entertainment project. Lassiter s history of service extends well beyond local government. Committed to the legal community, Lassiter is a Past-President of the Mecklenburg County Bar and the Children s Law Center. In addition, he previously served as Chair of the Corporate Counsel Section of the North Carolina Bar Association. As a citizen lawyer, Lassiter shows no signs of slowing down. Lassiter recently chaired the Transition Steering Committee for Governor-Elect Pat McCrory. When this important task was completed, Lassiter willingly agreed to serve the state as Chair of the North Carolina Economic Development Board, which recently developed a ten-year strategic Jobs Plan and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, which will be the primary sales and marketing tool for recruiting new businesses across the state. Lassiter s eagerness to use his time and talents to better our state s economy speaks volumes about his desire to make North Carolina a better place to live and work for all people. With each new day, Lassiter approaches life with a ceaseless desire to serve his fellow citizens. His passion and dedication to giving back are contagious to all who have the privilege to spend even a few moments in his presence. Constantly sacrificing his own time and talents to better the lives of others, Lassiter truly exemplifies what it means to be a Citizen Lawyer. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Adam Hocutt is an attorney at Dozier, Miller, Pollard & Murphy, LLP in Charlotte KATHRYN A. DEITER-MARADEI Written By: Jane Paksoy RALEIGH Safe, nice, helpful, kind, and a good reader. Those are the five words six-year-old Jack picked to describe his mother, Kate Deiter-Maradei. Deiter-Maradei is a citizen lawyer on all fronts. She is involved with numerous organizations, a demonstration of her frenetic volunteering

63 approach. In addition to volunteering at Urban Ministries, Salvation Army, and Carolina Dispute Settlement Services, to name a few, Deiter-Maradei has held appointed positions with the North Carolina Council for Women and the Wake County Commission for Women. The most impressive part about Deiter-Maradei is that she manages to fit in all of her public service while excelling in her professional career and striving to be an involved parent. In June 2013, Deiter-Maradei transitioned from partnership at Teague, Campbell, Dennis & Gorham, LLP to open her own mediation practice, Deiter Mediation. While at Teague Campbell, Deiter-Maradei negotiated reduced hours to allow more time with her children and to formalize her public service. She even became partner while on a reduced schedule. Deiter-Maradei is thrilled that more firms are becoming open to alternative work schedules, and thinks that it s important for men and women. While having her own practice is in some ways more work, she loves being able to control her own schedule which has allowed her to expand her pro bono work. Deiter-Maradei encourages new attorneys to do as much pro bono work as you can and to incorporate it at the beginning of your practice. Not only does it feel good, Deiter-Maradei notes that there are professional benefits as well, like gaining practical experience, expanding contacts, and establishing referral sources. Lizzy Adams from Salvation Army says, Compassion bleeds through everything that she does. Indeed, volunteering is a family affair. Deiter-Maradei emphasizes that none of this would be possible without the support of her husband and her mom. Deiter-Maradei s parents taught her how important and how rewarding it is to think beyond yourself. Deiter-Maradei hopes to instill the same giving spirit in her own children, involving them in activities such as stocking peanut butter at Urban Ministries and asking for charitable donations as birthday gifts. Deiter- Maradei s main goal is for her kids to develop an organic interest in helping others. It seems to be working. The day I met with Deiter-Maradei, she was coming from an awards ceremony at Jack s elementary school. Much like his mom, Jack received a character award for helping others from his kindergarten teacher. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Jane Paksoy is a law clerk to Justice Barbara A. Jackson at the North Carolina Supreme Court.

64 JOSEPH P. MCGUIRE Written By: Nathan A. Chrisawn ASHEVILLE Joseph P. McGuire has been named a 2014 recipient of the North Carolina Bar Association s Citizen Lawyer Award. The award will be presented at the Bar Association s Annual Meeting in Wilmington on Friday, June 20, The Citizen Lawyer Award recognizes attorneys who have provided exemplary service through volunteer work and civic involvement in their communities outside the practice of law. McGuire is a native of Asheville, North Carolina. After earning his undergraduate degree from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1972 and his law degree from Harvard University in 1975, he practiced for a short time in the Navy JAG Corps. He then took a position in Atlanta, Georgia with a predecessor to the firm now known as Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP. Always knowing that he wanted to return to Asheville, he joined the firm of McGuire, Wood & Bissette, P.A. in He says he learned from his father, who was one of the firm s senior partners at the time, and from the other senior partners that public service is part and parcel of being an attorney. The benefits from volunteering are immense and varied. There is the satisfaction of making a difference and making your community a better place to live and work, McGuire says. He also adds that he has met a lot of fine folks from all walks of life that he would probably not have met in his law practice alone. Volunteering has taught him a lot about group dynamics, collaboration, strategic planning, and building consensus. Within his community, McGuire is currently serving as a member of the Board of Leadership of the Asheville Forum (having previously served as its President); a member of the Advisory Board of Leadership Asheville; Vice President of the Pen and Plate Club; and a member of the Board of Directors of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County. He was also previously Co-Chair of Building Bridges of Asheville, a program to bridge racial gaps in the Asheville community. In addition, McGuire is passionate about education. He currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of Brevard College (having previously served as Chair) and will join the Board of Trustees of Lenoir-Rhyne University later this year. In the past, he has been Chair of UNC-Asheville s Center for Diversity Education; Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Asheville/Buncombe Library System; and a member of the Board of Directors of UNC-Chapel Hill s General Alumni Association.

65 Apart from his civic involvement, McGuire is an active member of Central United Methodist Church in Asheville, where he is currently a member of its Board of Trustees. He has held numerous other past positions within the church and has also served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the WNC Conference of the United Methodist Church. McGuire s law practice focuses on business litigation involving contract disputes, corporate governance, trade secrets, insurance coverage, and municipal liability. McGuire, Wood & Bissette, P.A. is the oldest continually practicing law firm in Asheville, tracing its origins back to Today, the firm continues to engage in a general civil practice with a focus on the business, financial, and litigation needs of its clients. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Nathan A. Chrisawn is an attorney at Wyatt Early Harris Wheeler LLP in High Point CHARLES H. MONTGOMERY Written By: Eric Mine CARY Charles H. Montgomery is a Citizen Lawyer in the truest sense of the term. His commitment to serving his community began very shortly after his graduation from Vanderbilt University Law School, and continues today. Though originally hailing from South Carolina, Montgomery moved to Cary in 1974, where he has lived and practiced law ever since. He has been, and remains, active in his community. Taking an early and active role, Montgomery served as a member of the Cary Town Council from , and then again from He also served on the Board of Directors for the Cary Chamber of Commerce from and as Vice- President in In those early years, Cary was still a small, but rapidly growing community. And Montgomery s involvement helped to shape it. While Montgomery served on the Town Council, Cary acquired and financed the property for Bond Park, a keystone of the Cary Park System. Montgomery also

66 worked to arrange for the lease of property from the town on which the first permanent Cary Chamber of Commerce Building was constructed in And, serving as founder and volunteer attorney for the non-profit group Friends of the Page Walker Hotel, he was instrumental in the Town s purchase and restoration of the historic Page Walker Hotel, which now serves as an arts center and reception hall in Cary. Knowing that one is able to make a significant contribution in achieving worthwhile community goals by using legal skills brings great personal satisfaction, and, as a bonus, friendships that last a lifetime, said Montgomery. But his contributions to the community did not end there. He served as Board Member for East Central Community Legal Services, Inc. (now a part of Legal Aid of North Carolina), which provided free legal services to low income people from 1997 to He was President of Life Experiences, Inc., an organization that provides job training and placement for disabled teenagers and adults, from He was an incorporator and volunteer for the Cary Senior Center, Inc., from And he continues to serve on the Board of the State Capitol Foundation, an organization which aids in the restoration of the 1840 State Capitol Building. Using legal training and skills has allowed me to make contributions to these organizations that I otherwise could not have made, said Montgomery of his volunteer service. Montgomery sets an example that all attorneys can aspire to. He has made his community a better place by volunteering his legal training, skills, and time. Montgomery said of volunteerism, Successful Volunteerism changes practicing law from a job into a rewarding profession. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Eric Mine is Associate Legal Counsel II at the North Carolina Real Estate Commission NANCY BORDERS PASCHALL Written By: Jonathan Crook

67 GASTONIA Nancy Borders Paschall has been selected by the North Carolina Bar Association to receive a 2014 Citizen Lawyer Award in recognition for her outstanding civic contributions. The Award is given annually to lawyers who volunteer their time for causes that improve the quality of life of those in their communities. Having come from a family of teachers and school administrators, Paschall was encouraged at a young age to do something different. At that time Paschall says she had a tendency to take a position and not move from it very easily, an early indicator that she would go on to become a steadfast advocate for her clients as an attorney. She is a double Demon Deacon, earning both her undergraduate and law degrees from Wake Forest University. After graduating, Paschall began practicing law in Gastonia, N.C., and has been an attorney with Mullen Holland & Cooper, P.A. since Paschall has been heavily involved in fostering Gastonia s economic development since she began her career. Her goal in doing so was to attract business and be a voice for business, both from a government standpoint as well as among our economic leaders. She served on the Board of Directors for the Gaston Chamber of Commerce for five years before becoming only its second female Chair in The Chamber promotes learning programs for small businesses, provides workforce development for larger companies, and creates networking opportunities for professionals and business owners of all types. During her tenure as Chair, Paschall orchestrated the largest membership drive in the Chamber s history. Paschall currently serves on the Board of Directors for Carolina Trust Bank and Covenant Village Retirement and Life Care Home. She believes strongly in the positive impact that a business-friendly environment can have on other aspects of life. Without a strong economy and a strong business base, you re not going to have the money to fund other issues, such as education and health. It really drives the community being somewhere that you can enjoy working and playing and living, she says. Despite her accomplishments, Paschall is quick to remind others that she not only helps to create, but also greatly benefits from, a strong and flourishing community. I have had so many blessings that what I have contributed back is just a small percentage of what I have been blessed with over the years, she says.

68 The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Jonathan L. Crook is a Law Clerk to the Honorable Robert C. Hunter at the North Carolina Court of Appeals MARSHALL B. PITTS JR. Written By: Dustin Gill FAYETTEVILLE Marshall B. Pitts Jr. has been selected as a 2014 recipient of the Citizen Lawyer Award by the North Carolina Bar Association. A Citizen Lawyer is an exemplary attorney who recognizes the importance of active public service and has consistently demonstrated a commitment to their communities. Pitts is a low-key guy who attributes his dedication to community services as being second nature. His parents instilled in him and his siblings a responsibility as individuals to help their fellow man. His parents also emphasized the importance of education. Pitts received his bachelor s degree in Criminal Justice from Appalachian State and law degree from North Carolina Central. In addition to his law practice in Fayetteville, he has taught Criminal Justice at Fayetteville State University where he earned many awards for teaching and public service. Pitts served on the Fayetteville City Council from He later served two terms as the first African-American mayor of Fayetteville from While in office, Pitts was awarded numerous civic service awards. Pitts attributes his participation in local politics as an integral part of his commitment to community service, Volunteering eventually led to leadership positions within the community, and then these leadership positions led to politics as a natural progression. Pitts has a reputation in the community as someone who cares about others and will do what he can to help. He believes community service inspires others to become involved in their communities. Pitts likes to think of himself as an individual who has an opportunity to impact a broad spectrum of people through legal assistance, mentoring and public speaking. He hopes that this positive impact on others will inspire them to public service causing an exponential effect of civic responsibility within the community. Pitts says that many lawyers mistakenly believe that active involvement in public service and maintaining a successful law practice are mutually exclusive activities.

69 Pitts believes that civic responsibility directly contributes to being a successful attorney. Once you develop a reputation as a person who cares about the community, and who is willing to work hard to improve it, there tends to be strong reciprocal support of the law practice by the community being served. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Dustin Gill is an attorney in Winston-Salem and currently attending Wake Forest University School of Business MICHAEL F. ROYSTER Written By: Milind Dongre PILOT MOUNTAIN Attorney Michael Royster of the Surry County firm Royster & Royster has been named a recipient of the North Carolina Bar Association s Citizen Lawyer Award for The award is presented each year to a small number of lawyers, from across the state, who are identified by their friends and colleagues as exemplifying the citizen lawyer the lawyer whose service to the community extends beyond the practice of law. The community that Michael Royster calls home is Pilot Mountain. It is a small town, where, Royster notes, it takes a while to gain the trust of the people. It is no surprise that Royster, having practiced law for 35 years in Pilot Mountain, has gained the highest level of trust and respect from his community members. That trust is a product of more than his professional reputation Royster s commitment to serving the people has impacted not only his clients, but also his community at large. It is evident that the education of his fellow citizens is particularly important to Royster, who is a first-generation college graduate. He has served on the Surry County Community College Board of Trustees for 22 years. That institution, he stresses, is the best asset in the county as far as attracting businesses. Royster has also taken the time to serve those just beginning schooling he played Santa Claus for 20 years at two local elementary schools.

70 Royster also has pushed hard to increase recreational opportunities for his community-members. As board chairman of the Pilot Mountain Foundation, Royster helped start what became a multi-million dollar facility with exercise equipment, a swimming pool, basketball courts, and playing fields. In addition, he coached both recreational basketball and little league for 13 years. Royster s capacity to make positive change has not gone unnoticed in his community. He was the Pilot Mountain Civic Club Citizen of the Year in 1982 and has been president of the county bar association. But it is the recognition given him last year, by a talented local high school student, that Royster says has been the most important of his life. A front-page newspaper article about a personal fundraising goal set by Cariella Starnes, a bright and accomplished local student, caught Royster s attention last summer. Starnes, who suffers from Type 1 diabetes, was determined to raise $8,000 to enable her to train with and take home a medical working dog that would alert her in situations where, unbeknownst to her, her blood sugar drops. A dog s assistance with this condition, called hypoglycemic unawareness, could save Starnes life. After reading the article, Royster immediately called Starnes mother and promised that her daughter would get the dog. In less than two weeks, with the help of the local bar association, Royster had raised the money. When Starnes met Royster, she thanked him with words that today make Royster happier than any award he could receive: You have changed my life forever. I wouldn t practice anywhere else but a small town, says Royster. Given the impact Royster has had on his community, the people of Pilot Mountain are lucky he decided to make their home his own. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Milind Dongre is a Law Clerk to the Honorable Catharine R. Aron at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Middle District of North Carolina DEBORAH K. ROSS Written By: Kimberly Ann Bart

71 RALEIGH Deborah Ross has been named a 2014 recipient of the North Carolina Bar Association s Citizen Lawyer Award. The Citizen Lawyer Award recognizes attorneys who provide exemplary public service to their communities. I care deeply about our community and have dedicated most of my professional life to public service. The people I have worked and served with inspire me every day, says Ross. I enjoy helping people and shaping public policy to benefit future generations. Deborah Ross is a high-energy person whose words are supported by her actions. If it will take heavy lifting, sign me up. If it s too easy, someone else will do it. Ross graduated from Brown University in 1985 and UNC Law School in 1990, and lives in Raleigh NC where she has practiced law for more than twenty years. After earning her juris doctor, Ross practiced law with Hunton & Williams, focusing on municipal finance a satisfying position for Ross as she was building public projects. She next worked with the ACLU in the capacity of both Legal Director and Executive Director, from 1994 to Ross s years with the ACLU gave her the opportunity to gain additional skills, including non-profit management experience and the opportunity to engage in mission-driven advocacy in order to promote broad public interest initiatives. Ross continued her trajectory of public service by dedicating a decade of her working life to the North Carolina General Assembly. Ross has been called one of the most effective members of the House of Representatives, which is no surprise, given her attitude towards public service. Citizen Lawyer means making a contribution to your community in small and large ways, Ross suggests. One thing great about being a legislator is getting to work on significant public policy issues. A citizen lawyer is one who thinks about how the community will benefit through the work being done, and not just getting involved because there s something in it for them. Among other involvements, Ross chaired the Judiciary Committee, served on the Finance Committee, and worked on a complete overhaul of the North Carolina ethics laws. She claims the Museum of Natural Sciences Green Square Project and HB 148 (a bipartisan state transportation law providing transportation funding options to local governments) as among her biggest achievements while serving as a NC legislator. Ross resigned from the state legislature in 2013, when, after serving five terms, she was offered the position of General Counsel with the Triangle Transit Authority. At the time of her resignation, Ross was the State House Democratic Conference Co- Chair. In her role as chief counsel for TTA, Ross provides legal support to the Board of Trustees and staff of Triangle Transit, and ensures agency compliance with the law, overseeing and managing contracts, property, and other legal matters. Ross also taught as a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke University School of Law and was Of Counsel with Styers, Kemerait & Mitchell in Raleigh a firm recognized for

72 helping its clients understand the complex and extensive governmental regulations associated with utilities, land use, planning and zoning, and energy. Ross s ongoing civic activities include the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and the League of Women Voters, while her NC Bar activities include past Chair of the Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities section, involvement in the Government Lawyers section, and involvement in the General Counsel section of the NC Bar Association. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Kimberly Ann Bart is the Assistant Dean of Public Interest and Pro Bono and the Externship Administrator at Duke University School of Law in Durham GEMMA L. SALUTA Written By: Whit Davis WINSTON-SALEM I had always known Gemma Saluta to be an avid, and quite competitive, board game player. In fact, her board game parties have become somewhat legendary amongst her friends and colleagues, with over 160 games available at last count. But until I sat down with her recently to discuss her nomination as a Citizen Lawyer, I had no idea that her true passion lies in serving her community by helping women in need and promoting non-profit volunteerism. Close to Saluta s heart is her work with the Women s Fund of Winston-Salem. The Women s Fund focuses its mission on improving the lives of local women and girls by recruiting female philanthropists to provide grants to direct service programs that address root causes of social issues impacting women and girls in Winston- Salem. Saluta is currently the Leadership Chair of the Women s Fund and is responsible for overseeing the recruitment and training of new members. She includes everyone on her committee and makes everyone feel appreciated, says Sabrina Slade, Director of the Women s Fund. She s just a great volunteer. She s the type of volunteer everyone wants to have, Slade says.

73 Also important to Saluta is her volunteer work with HandsOn Northwest North Carolina. HandsOn is a non-profit that strengthens the community by building the capacity of other non-profits and promoting volunteerism. Saluta has used her knowledge of labor and employment and insurance defense law to provide free training to non-profit managers in the areas of risk management, volunteer immunities, board duties, and specific labor and employment issues. Saluta is rotating off the Board of HandsOn after two consecutive three-year terms serving the organization. She still plans to stay involved by continuing to provide training sessions to non-profit managers. Amy Lytle, Executive Director of HandsOn, says that Saluta brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her trainings, and really helps people open their eyes to risk management, keeping employees safe and volunteers safe. Saluta is working in her 7th year as an Associate in the Winston-Salem office of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice. She divides her professional work between worker s compensation, labor and employment, and insurance defense law, with her real legal passion lying in labor and employment law. Despite her hectic work schedule and family life, she still finds time to volunteer. It s almost automatic for me to do it, Saluta says of her volunteer work. It s almost not an option. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Whit Davis is an attorney at Whit Davis Law Firm, PLLC in Winston-Salem MICHAEL G. WINTERS Written By: Phillip A. Harris Jr. RALEIGH The North Carolina Bar Association recently presented Cary attorney Michael G. Winters with its Citizens Lawyer Award. This award recognizes lawyers who exemplify the ideals of a citizen lawyer by serving their communities in ways well beyond their law practice. Beyond his substantial legal accomplishments, Winters has committed himself to what he sees as a lawyer s unique opportunity and responsibility to serve and contribute time, energy and resources to the community. Five years ago, Winters and his wife, as well as their family, suffered the tragic and unthinkable loss of their 30-year-old daughter to breast cancer. After losing his daughter, he was

74 motivated to make a difference, said Pam Kohl, executive director of Susan G. Komen, North Carolina Triangle to the Coast Affiliate. In fighting for their daughter, both before and after their loss, Winters and his wife have devoted their time, effort, and resources in fighting a disease that touches one of every nine women. Ms. Kohl noted that he is passionate about creating a world without breast cancer. He has led the effort to raise awareness and money in support of not only the North Carolina affiliate of Susan G. Komen, but also Pretty in Pink, a local non-profit that assists women with breast cancer who are underinsured or uninsured. For the past three years, Winter s fundraising strength placed his team as the leader in money raised and number of team members in the Triangle for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. For Pretty in Pink, he and his wife have also been sustaining sponsors for the last three years, as well as working to procure significant sponsorships for its annual golf tournament. As he has so poignantly put it, in some ways, helping to fight the battle through fundraising has eased the pain of our loss. Winters also serves on the Board of Directors of Shepherds Theological Seminary. This service, he says, has given me the opportunity to realize that although I have not been called to ministry or a mission field, I am called to serve and support others who have been so led. Echoed by his service, he believes strongly in Shepherds mission to train students from around the world, as well as the local community, to minister, teach and share their faith. Named Citizen of the Year by the Cary Chamber of Commerce in 2009, Winters strongly believes that economic development, as well as job and opportunity creation, is vital to this region and the state. Winters not only finds economic development exciting, but the mission to attract other businesses and organizations to our state is a challenging one as well. Accordingly, Winters has twice served the Cary Chamber of Commerce as both Chair and he continues to serve as a Board Member. In noting that Winters is first class, Howard Johnson, President of the Cary Chamber of Commerce added, he has been an outstanding leader in building what Cary is today. Winters received his award at the annual meeting of the North Carolina Bar Association in Wilmington on Friday, June 21, Winters is a partner at the law firm of Ellis & Winters, LLP and focuses his practice on assisting clients in matters involving commercial and real estate development. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond.

75 Phillip A. Harris Jr. is an attorney at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Raleigh GEORGIANA YONUSCHOT Written By: Erin Reis WINSTON-SALEM When first learning about Georgi Yonuschot, one might be surprised to find that she works in expert witness development for Products Liability defense at a large law firm. Yonuschot seems surprised by this fact herself. With her Master s degree in Social Work, and four years experience with Child Protective Services, she thought she d be a DA when she started law school. But after her summer internship at Womble Carlyle, she realized she liked the people she worked with, and that the firm valued her unique perspective. Yonuschot s career path makes sense once you realize she s the kind of person who can talk to anybody warm, funny, engaging, irreverent. I m the kind of person who likes to rock the boat, she says. It also makes sense because her supervisor, Cris Windham, encourages her pro bono activities, which, she says, allow her to hold onto her Social Work roots. In fact, Yonuschot met Windham on a pro bono trip to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, helping residents whose homes had passed to them by intestate succession, but who couldn t obtain FEMA relief without clear title. Says Tripp Greason, Pro Bono Director for Womble Carlyle, Yonuschot is remarkable and fearless, spending hours per year on the project for 2-3 years. On Yonuschot s approach to pro bono, Greason says: It s not about her. It s about the client, the community, the team. That s the great example she sets for everybody. The Katrina Recovery project is just one of Yonuschot s many pro bono activities. In an international child kidnapping case, she helped reunite an Ecuadorean father with his daughter. She leads students at Wake Forest School of Law s Innocence Project in filing a motion to admit new evidence for an imprisoned woman whose punishment doesn t fit the crime. She serves as a Guardian Ad Litem, and as a Veterans Benefits Accredited Attorney. This work not only builds her skills, but also, she says, It s the right thing to do. The little amount of time that you give goes a long way. In addition to her pro bono work, Yonuschot also chairs a number of committees, including the NC Bar Association s Pro Bono Activities and Minorities in the Profession Committees, and the Board of Directors for Legal Aid of North Carolina. According to Gerald Walden, Senior Corporate Counsel for The Fresh Market and

76 co-chair of the Minorities in the Profession Committee, she doesn t just sit on committees she gets things done. He says, The only way to explain how Georgi could do so many things, and do them all so effectively, is that she is passionate about what she s doing and she enjoys doing it. The pro bono and non-profit work is so worthwhile to her; it never seems to be a chore. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Erin Reis is an attorney with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Greensboro JULIAN WRIGHT Written By: R. Locke Beatty CHARLOTTE Julian Wright first grew in interested in the Kids Voting program after running for a position on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board. Although he was not ultimately elected, he fared particularly well among the student voters. Rather than sit around and wait for his prime electorate to reach the age of majority, Wright decided to become more directly involved with civics instruction for youths. That road led Wright to the board chair of GenerationNation, Inc. (formerly Kids Voting Mecklenburg, Inc.). Although GenerationNation still runs, and places great value in, mock voting for students during elections, one of the main reasons for the name change was to convey that GenerationNation s reach is much broader than just ballots and ballot boxes. For example, one of GenerationNation s big initiatives under Wright s leadership currently is the Youth Council, which GenerationNation started last fall in coordination with the Charlotte City Council, the Board of County Commissioners, and the School Board. The program offers high school students an opportunity to learn about local politics first-hand through monthly Youth Council meetings. Given the recent events in Charlotte, it is more important now than ever to develop in tomorrow s leaders an association of honor and importance with local politics. Indeed, Wright considers a prime challenge in today s environment to be finding the best ways to keep people engaged and to not just throw up their hands in frustration. Youth Council is one such way.

77 Meetings will typically feature a guest speaker as well as a convening of the Youth Council. And when the speakers conclude with a question and answer session, it is not always the students who ask the questions. Wright recalls Superintendent Morrison in particular as a guest who takes full advantage of his time with the Youth Council, polling the students for their opinions on the merits of various forms of technology that could be introduced to classrooms. In addition, city council members and county commissioners often attend the meetings as passive observers to get a bead on the student voice. On top of running Youth Council and student voting, GenerationNation provides curricula, worksheets, and other resources to assist instructors teaching civics to Charlotte-Mecklenburg students. Previously, Wright also helped found, served on the board of, and chaired the board of Freedom School Partners, Inc. Freedom School Partners works to combat summer learning loss for Charlotte-Mecklenburg students by running summer literacy camps throughout the county. A study performed by UNC-Charlotte showed that 97% of the participants in Freedom School Partners one year demonstrated no summer learning loss whatsoever when returning to school that fall. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. R. Locke Beatty is an attorney with McGuireWoods LLP in Charlotte SARAH ZAMBON Written by: Lisa W. Arthur HENDERSONVILLE As the Deputy County Attorney for Henderson County, North Carolina, Sarah Zambon exemplifies what it means to be a Citizen Lawyer. The quantity and quality of volunteer service she has done is simply astonishing, says Jonathan Holbrook, Zambon s good friend. Not only does Zambon serve her community at the office, she also dedicates countless hours outside of the office to volunteering for activities related to social justice, civil rights and healthcare. In the last year, Zambon spent a significant amount of time promoting social justice by organizing a new program for the Asheville Buncombe League of Women Voters called Voter Corps. The purpose of this program is to educate voters, particularly

78 in communities disproportionately affected by the new North Carolina voting law. Zambon designed the project from the beginning and recruited and educated volunteers. Zambon recently opposed a Raleigh group that challenged the eligibility of 182 voters from Buncombe County before the Board of Elections and was able to establish eligibility for about 90 voters. In recognition of her efforts, Zambon was elected president of the Asheville Buncombe League of Women Voters. In addition, Zambon volunteers for organizations focused on civil rights and healthcare. For example, Zambon offers pro bono services to the Campaign for Southern Equality, an organization dedicated to full equality for LGTB individuals. She also volunteers for Lillian s List, an organization that seeks to elect more prochoice women to state office. Zambon also served as the County Chair for March of Dimes and is involved in the American Cancer Society s Relay for Life. Since joining the North Carolina Bar Association in 2006, Zambon has served on a number of committees and participated in a number of volunteer efforts. Zambon was a member of the inaugural class of the Young Lawyer s Leadership Academy. She also has participated in the Lawyer on the Line program and the Call4All service day, including serving on the Call4All Committee. Her other committee involvements include the Pro Bono Activities Committee, the Young Lawyers Initiatives Task Force, the Lawyers for an Educated Workforce Taskforce, the Minorities in the Profession Committee, and the Young Lawyer s Division Citizen Lawyer Committee. Zambon describes her commitment to public service as one of the most rewarding facets of my life. She says that her volunteer work has exposed her to other aspects of the law and provided excellent networking opportunities, and that she is constantly re-energized by her fellow volunteers. I have learned that everyone has something to give and should give as they are able. Zambon provides an example to all of us of what it means to give back to the communities we serve. The Citizen Lawyer Committee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, in conjunction with the NCBA Citizen Lawyer Committee, provides expanded coverage of the 2014 Citizen Lawyer Awards in recognition of their volunteer service and leadership in their communities and beyond. Lisa W. Arthur is an attorney at Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP in Greensboro.

79 AWARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT Project Information Form Comprehensive Name of YLD Affiliate: NC - North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Project Title: NCBA YLD SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Project Number: Project 7 of 7 Affiliate Type/Division: State Affiliate: Between 3000 and 8000 Type of Project: Educational Degree of Change or Growth: Continued Project Project Description: This project provides monetary awards for expenses associated with college and/or higher education for children of NC law enforcement officers who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The committee awards scholarships to qualifying individuals for payment of, inter alia, tuition, books, travel, and living expenses. Needs Assessment: The NCBA YLD has long been concerned with the need to assist in funding education for the children of civil servants injured or killed on the job. This project is a chance to identify such children and help them pay for their education. Achievement of Goals: We issue life-changing scholarships to needy students--the impact is immeasurable. If goals were not met, why? N/A

80 Will this be a recurring project? Yes If Yes, will you make any revisions? No. Degree of Participation by Members How many young lawyer members actually participated in this project? How many young lawyer Leadership (officers, directors, board membership)? 8 How many young lawyer committee members? 8 How many young lawyer general membership? 0 Was the project conducted with the Senior Bar? No What other groups or individuals participated and in what / numbers? N/A What do you think is the optimum amount of members needed to / carry out this project? Timeframe How much time did it take to organize the project? Approximately 10 hours. How much time did it take to recruit members for the project? None. The committee is staffed entirely by volunteers. How much time did it take to carry out the project from beginning / to end? Approximately 15 hours. Budget What was the cost of this project excluding in-kind/donated / services? 20000

81 How was the project funded? NC Bar Association Endowment Grant How long did it take to raise the funds needed for this project? No direct fundraising is involved. Suggestions/Recommendations What suggestions/recommendations would you make to other young / lawyer groups who would consider undertaking a similar project? This is an excellent way to give back to the families of our most devoted civil servants, while improving the public's perception of the profession.