This past summer I interned with the Durham County Attorneys who represent the Department of Social Services in the Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency (A/N/D) court. I spent time researching various legal, medical, and psychological issues. I was able to witness how collaborative the A/N/D court is, and how passionate each attorney is, in their representation of their parties.
My favorite research project was when I was able to research a medical disease that a child was allegedly diagnosed with. I had grown so used to researching legal problems, that I almost forgot that other research existed. I found researching medicine and diseases, and how that correlates with the legal system, extremely thought-provoking. In the A/N/D court, many of the attorneys need to become “mini” experts in medical problems, drugs, and other topics. This knowledge allows them to understand the facts from the cases more easily and come up with questions for the adjudication hearing. After spending time researching the disease I was assigned, I was able to talk with the attorneys about symptoms, and how to diagnose and treat them. This part of the research allowed the attorneys to recognize strengths and weaknesses in their argument. My research was a small part of one child’s case yet helped the attorneys further their understanding and strengthen their argument for trial.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00ZPLUhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngZPLU2024-10-09 12:00:132024-10-09 12:00:13A Look Into My Internship With the Durham County Attorney's Office
As a young lawyer in North Carolina, one of the most valuable steps you can take in shaping your career is becoming actively involved in the North Carolina Bar Association’s (NCBA) Young Lawyers Division (YLD). Not only does this provide numerous professional and personal benefits, but it also opens doors to meaningful networking opportunities, professional development, and ways to give back to the community. Here’s why you should get involved, how to sign up, and why it matters.
Why You Should Get Involved
1. Professional Development
Starting your legal career can feel daunting, but the YLD provides an invaluable opportunity for young attorneys to enhance their legal skills, build leadership experience, and access mentorship. The YLD offers a variety of workshops, CLE programs, and conferences that allow you to stay updated on the latest legal trends and practice areas, which will set you up for success. Read more
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My name is Lauren Snyder, and I’m honored to serve as Vice Chair of the WIP Committee this year. I’m also excited to be featured in the first member spotlight this year and look forward to reading about my fellow members in the months to come!
What law school did you attend, and what was your graduation year?
GW Law, 2013.
Describe what a typical workday is like.
I just moved in-house after ten and a half years in private practice, so it has shifted quite a bit. My job now is negotiating contracts and solving corporate problems. I love the mix of drafting/editing agreements and meeting with folks to help solve problems in real time. I’d say I spend about half my time in meetings and half drafting. I also have awesome colleagues who I love to get lunch with or attend various SAS activities with. (I recently took an amazing cooking class and have signed up for a ballet strength conditioning class in October.)
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This past summer I interned with the Durham County Attorneys who represent the Department of Social Services in the Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency (A/N/D) court. I spent time researching various legal, medical, and psychological issues. I was able to witness how collaborative the A/N/D court is, and how passionate each attorney is, in their representation of their parties.
My favorite research project was when I was able to research a medical disease that a child was allegedly diagnosed with. I had grown so used to researching legal problems, that I almost forgot that other research existed. I found researching medicine and diseases, and how that correlates with the legal system, extremely thought-provoking. In the A/N/D court, many of the attorneys need to become “mini” experts in medical problems, drugs, and other topics. This knowledge allows them to understand the facts from the cases more easily and come up with questions for the adjudication hearing. After spending time researching the disease I was assigned, I was able to talk with the attorneys about symptoms, and how to diagnose and treat them. This part of the research allowed the attorneys to recognize strengths and weaknesses in their argument. My research was a small part of one child’s case yet helped the attorneys further their understanding and strengthen their argument for trial.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00CriminalJusticehttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngCriminalJustice2024-10-04 13:38:502024-10-04 13:38:50A Look Into My Internship With the Durham County Attorney's Office
I looked forward to my first summer for my entire 1L year. I frequently heard older students and mentors describe their first summers as the moment when all the pieces fell together. Heading into their second year of law school, they felt a deeper understanding and appreciation for the work they do while in school. Now, at the conclusion of my first summer and the early stages of my 2L year, I echo those sentiments.
I spent this summer interning with the North Carolina Department of Justice Medicaid Investigations Division. MID represents the interests of the citizens of North Carolina, particularly as they relate to the health care industry. The bulk of MID’s work involves investigating and prosecuting Medicaid fraud; they also handle patient abuse cases in Medicaid-funded facilities across North Carolina. MID’s work is critical for protecting the integrity of the Medicaid system and guarding state and federal funds from bad actors.
I was eager to work with MID and explore what I now know is an interesting, and often overlooked, area of law. My experience was enriching, and it allowed me to practice the skills I developed during my first year at Campbell Law. More importantly, however, this summer was the first chance I have had to engage in meaningful legal work for the benefit of my community. Since beginning law school, I have been eager to apply my developing legal skills in a practical and useful way. My internship with MID was an excellent opportunity to do so, and I am grateful I could spend my summer in this way.
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The depth and scope of Hurricane Helene’s destruction cannot be comprehended.
It is worse than what you see in the media. The challenge now is survival and safety. For many, there is no power, no water, and no reliable internet. This will last for weeks, maybe months. The roads and bridges that remain are being cleared of downed trees, mudslides, and power lines by collective effort, but huge portions of the transportation infrastructure no longer exist. Some areas are only accessible by helicopter, if at all. People are still looking for loved ones. Lawyers are hurting; clients are hurting; so much has been lost.
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Have you asked yourself how you could better balance the workload among your team members? Enhance your team’s collaborative environment? Nurture your team members and utilize their skills to best meet the client’s objectives? And, speaking of IoT, what are ways that teams work together to ensure compliance with global IoT legal requirements?
Please register soon and join us for the Fireside Chatwith Rob Keller, Senior Director and Associate General Counsel with Cisco, on October 8, 2024, at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, to hear about these issues. Even if you don’t practice in the IoT arena, you are sure to gather insights into teams that you can carry into your own practice. Our own NCBA Privacy & Data Security Section’s Shannon Ralich will host Monday’s Fireside Chat, bringing her experience as Head of Global Privacy & AI at JFrog to the discussion in what promises to be a great event.
The Privacy & Data Security Executive Council looks forward to your attendance! We hope you can come!
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This is the first post in a series of three blog posts titled “Thoughts on Being an Effective Local Government Attorney and How to Best Work With Your Local Government Attorney,” written by Don O’Toole, who retired in January 2024 after 13 years with the Durham City Attorney’s Office.
I had the good fortune to be a local government attorney for the last thirteen years of my legal career. I worked with terrific attorneys in the Durham City Attorney’s Office, and my practice was focused on providing legal support to the City departments that provide service to the development community. Those departments include Planning, Public Works, Water Management, and Inspections. I enjoyed working with the dedicated professionals in each of these departments. I also enjoyed what I hoped were good professional relationships with the attorneys, engineers, and developers who worked to grow Durham’s economy. I was asked by our Section Council to put down my thoughts on being a local government attorney, and how outside attorneys should work with local government attorneys. What follows are some of my thoughts on this topic.
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Many people know what career they want to pursue. They research options, do internships, and seek other avenues to find that perfect choice. And sometimes, the career and opportunities find them in the most inconspicuous of places.
Alexa Lyles Brinegar recounts how she started her voyage into the vast field of law. A little over five years ago, Alexa, who had relocated to North Carolina from her native state of Oregon, was working in a coffee shop. Alexa had been there for a while, chatting with regulars while working hard to provide excellent service. It was that hard work that got the attention of an attorney whom she had connected with. He approached her with an offer – his assistant was leaving, and he asked if she would be interested in interviewing for the position. This exchange would begin Alexa’s career into the legal field. As Alexa said, “An opportunity looks at you, and it’s presented to you on a platter. It would have been stupid to not try it out and see.”
Alexa, who has been working with the same attorney, Richard “Blake” Cheek, at The Law Office of Partin & Cheek, P.L.L.C. for over five years now, started out as a part-time assistant before moving into her current role as a paralegal. In that time span, Alexa obtained her associate degree in Paralegal Technologies and Paralegal Technologies certificates in Litigation and Real Property from Surry Community College. She became a North Carolina Certified Paralegal in May 2023. Alexa’s role as a paralegal includes assisting with the firm’s criminal and civil work. Blake Cheek is also the Department of Social Services attorney for Surry and Wilkes, and Alexa helps with those matters.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2024-10-01 11:48:252024-10-01 11:59:12Paralegal Spotlight: Alexa Lyles Brinegar’s One-Stop Shop to the Legal Field
The legal field is notoriously slow to change, particularly with technology, and the use of AI is no exception. When I first heard about ChatGPT in 2022, I was staunchly against using it. My resistance stemmed from various reasons, but chiefly, I felt like it was “cheating.” Because I have always taken education and good grades very seriously, it was difficult to overcome this mindset.
By mid-2023, however, it became evident not only that ChatGPT was here to stay but that AI was becoming prevalent in many fields. Over the past two years, my keen interest in using technology for project management and developing apps using no-code software evolved into nearly a full-time role. I realized that if I didn’t begin to incorporate AI into my work, I would quickly be left behind in the tech world.
Once I started using AI tools, I realized how narrow-minded I had been. The benefits were immediate and significant, and I regretted not incorporating AI much sooner because it has revolutionized my workflow and saved me hours on administrative tasks. I began reading articles about “prompt engineering” and attending conference sessions dedicated to the use of AI in the legal field. The organization I work for is very open to technology improvements and paid for a ChatGPT account. I began using it for more than just first drafts of emails and started thinking outside the box about the possible ways it could improve my work.
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