Screen Time: Strategies for Effective Legal Writing in the Digital Age

By Chris S. Edwards

Judges in North Carolina’s state and federal appellate courts don’t reach for printed briefs much anymore (the Chief Judge of the Fourth Circuit, Albert Diaz, has said that he and his colleagues routinely read briefs only on their iPads). Instead, they read briefs just like you or I would, on a screen.

If judges are reading briefs on a screen, should that information change the way that we write briefs? I think so. Even though reading on paper has distinct advantages (readers comprehend information better and retain more of it when they choose paper over a screen), I’m guessing most judges would be hard-pressed to give up the convenience of screen reading.

That leaves one solution: because the way judges read has changed, so too must the way that lawyers write. So, how do we do that? Read more

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AI Is Adapting, and Lawyers Should, Too

By Marc E. Gustafson

We’ve all been there – negotiating with opposing counsel over a nuanced situation, only to get a run-of-the-mill response. These types of conversations can be frustrating, if not downright maddening. More importantly, they have the potential to spell a hard road ahead for our profession.

Over the last year, there has been a fair amount of gnashing of teeth by lawyers and law firms over ways Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and the like will affect the legal profession. If your head has been anywhere but buried in the sand, you’ve likely seen examples of articles and briefs, with varying degrees of accuracy, composed using some form of AI. And these tools are going to get better.

Read more

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The Child’s Advocate: At the Intersection of Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare and Education

LaToya, a Black woman with black wavy hair, wears a black blouse. By LaToya B. Powell

It’s time to register for the annual Juvenile Justice & Children’s Rights Section (JJCR) CLE program! Our 2024 program, “The Child’s Advocate: At the Intersection of Juvenile Justice, Child Welfare and Education,” will address the interplay of multiple systems that impact children and families who are involved in the court system, including juvenile justice, child welfare, and education. Research shows that approximately 90% of foster youth with five or more placements will enter the juvenile justice system. Not surprisingly, these vulnerable youth also experience a disproportionate rate of school discipline, mental health needs, and special education services.  If you are an attorney or legal professional working with this population, this CLE is for you!

Silhouettes of people are shown in a line. The silhouettes are blue. The people are holding hands.

The CLE will take place as a live webcast on Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 12:15-4:10 p.m.  The program will include three sessions, featuring: (1) a panel discussion of recent legislation in the areas of juvenile justice, child welfare, and education; (2) a presentation on compassion fatigue resulting from the representation of a juvenile client; and (3) a judge’s panel on the challenges of representing youth who are impacted by the intersection of the juvenile justice, child welfare, and education systems. Participants will hear from a very diverse and highly experienced group of attorneys and judges from throughout the State of North Carolina, including Durham, Forsyth, Mecklenburg, Orange, and Wake Counties. For more details about the program and to see the full agenda, please visit the CLE registration website.

Register early to take advantage of the discounted rate for JJCR Section members! The early bird rate is available now through February 22, 2024 (only $135 for JJCR Section members or $145 for other NCBA members). Don’t miss the opportunity to earn 3.5 MCLE hours, including 1 hour of substance abuse/mental health at this low rate!

*Please note that if you are a North Carolina State Bar certified specialist, this program also qualifies for Child Welfare Law and Juvenile Delinquency Law Specialization credit.

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