The Cup of Coffee That Helped My Career

Lauren, a white woman with long brown hair, wears a black turtleneck.By Lauren Jones

I didn’t know anyone when I moved from Illinois to North Carolina for law school. As if being a 1L isn’t terrifying enough, the old adage I kept hearing, that “It’s not what you know, but who you know,” made the prospect of networking feel intimidating and mysterious. However, through NCBA’s Grab-A-Coffee Program, I found that an informal meeting turned into a summer internship, three wonderful mentors, and a free pizza (or three).

I first signed up for the Grab-A-Coffee program after receiving an email from my school’s Office of Career and Student Development because the program connected students directly to a lawyer in their field of interest. When Sarah Roane and I first connected, I knew we would get along. Even via email, she came across as warm, brilliant, and excited to help. During our first meeting, she asked me what practice area I was interested in. I told her that I was keeping an open mind and was excited to intern with any practice area. Sarah mentioned that she had a connection to a worker’s comp/personal injury firm in Greensboro and asked if I would be interested in potentially interning there. She told me to bring my resume to that week’s social event, and I did. Within five minutes of meeting James, he told me that they’d try to make something work out. Read more

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Attend the 45th Annual Bankruptcy Institute!

George, a white man with dark grey hair, wears a white shirt, purple tie, and black jacket.By George F. Sanderson III

As chair of this year’s planning committee, I invite you to attend the 45th Annual Bankruptcy Institute. The ABI is returning in person for the first time in three years! We will be at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro on November 11 and 12.

Our return to our traditional live format allows us to expand our CLE offerings. We will have breakout sessions specific to business and consumer bankruptcy and panels exploring recent developments in small-business bankruptcies, state-court receiverships, and bankruptcy-related litigation. We will also have programs on the hemp and cannabis industry in North Carolina, ethical issues related to privileges in bankruptcy, and technology tips and tricks for the busy practitioner.

We will provide lunch on November 11, during which a panel of bankruptcy judges from across the state will provide remarks.

A complete agenda is available. We would love to see everyone in Greensboro, but the program will be available via live webcast if you can’t join us in person.

Early Bird Registration ends on October 21. Don’t wait. Register today!

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Suicide and the Legal Profession

Ed, a white man with brown hair and a beard, wears a white shirt and grey jacket.By Ed Ergenzinger

Earlier this year, a survey of lawyers and staffers hailing mostly from Biglaw revealed that 19% of respondents contemplated suicide at some point in their professional careers. These results, coupled with the shocking death by suicide of attorney and former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, contributed to a growing groundswell of attention and interest in mental health issues within the legal profession.

Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death in the U.S., yet it’s still a topic that many people are uncomfortable talking about. The stigma surrounding mental health and suicide can make it difficult for those who are struggling to reach out for help. And even when someone does seek help, there’s often not enough available.

A man in a black suit and glasses stand with his hand on his head leaning against a wall.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.

We need to do better at breaking the silence around suicide and mental health. By starting the conversation, we can eliminate the stigma and help those who are struggling get the support they need. Read more

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Utilization Committee Update – Regulatory Reform Affecting Paralegals in North Carolina and Beyond

By The Utilization Committee

North Carolina Regulatory Reform Update

It has been two years since the State Bar’s Subcommittee to Study Regulatory Change had its first meeting on June 4, 2020, to study various types of regulatory reform (e.g., limited licensing, court navigators, regulatory sandbox).

Highlights:

  • On June 3, 2021, the Bar’s Subcommittee Studying Regulatory Change voted to recommend that the Bar create a separate ad hoc committee to lay out a plan for limited licensing.
  • On July 15, 2021, the Executive Committee approved an ad hoc committee to develop a limited licensing plan. However, no action was taken on that vote. After that date, the Regulatory Subcommittee continued its work of exploring a regulatory sandbox and other initiatives.
  • On January 7, 2022, Chairman Mark Henriques completed the Subcommittee’s final report on its work over the past 18 months. He presented this report to the Issues Committee on January 19, 2022, with continued discussion on April 20, 2022, and July 20, 2022. The report includes the following recommendations:
    1. Pursue a Limited License for Nonlawyers/Paraprofessionals
    2. Pursue a Regulatory Sandbox
    3. Recommend a Court Navigator’s Program to the Administrative Office of the Courts
    4. Refrain from Pursuing Alternative Admission to the Bar at this Time
    5. Explore Necessary Changes to Permit Alternative Business Structures and Fee Sharing with Nonlawyers
    6. Explore the Possible Liberalization of the Unauthorized Practice of Law Statutes

Read the report to learn more. Read more

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