Hiring the wrong contractor can turn a project into a headache or a lawsuit. The steps below are simple, practical checks you can do to lower your risk. They’re not foolproof and don’t guarantee a perfect job, but they can help you catch the big red flags. Use this as a checklist to confirm the basics, and if something feels off, talk to a construction lawyer before you sign. A little homework now is almost always cheaper than a mess later.
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Artificial intelligence is transforming not only how organizations operate, but how they’re attacked. In this latest “What’s Blowing Your Mind” video, Alex Pearce, a partner in Wyrick Robbins’ Privacy and Data Security group, discusses emerging AI-driven threats — from data leakage and model poisoning to next-generation phishing — and why traditional incident response plans must evolve to meet them.
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When the path forward feels uncertain, opportunity is born. Every challenge is a chance to build purpose, strengthen community, and lead through service. The YLD Pro Bono Leadership Cohort Application (2025-2026) is an opportunity to turn uncertainty into impact, for yourself and for others.
I was in my third year of law school when I was laid off from the law firm where I worked. Each day, I searched for jobs and internships on sites like LinkedIn and Indeed, studied during the day and attended law school at night.
Situations like this happen, and in those moments, it’s easy to second-guess our choices. When I was laid off in September 2017, I questioned whether I had made the right decision to leave my full-time position at the Durham County Department of Social Services. Although balancing a full-time job with evening law classes was demanding, I loved helping Durham residents navigate their Adult Medicaid and Food and Nutrition Services applications. Part of me wondered if I had made a mistake in seeking out legal experience.
But through that period of uncertainty, I found an unexpected opportunity.
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The holidays are about more than finding the perfect gift or recipe, hanging decorations, or counting down the days until time off. They are about connection, gratitude, and community — and for that, we celebrate each of you.
As a Division family, we are here to support one another, to celebrate our successes, to be there for each other during our sorrows, and to make a meaningful difference in the greater legal community.
Aleah Wordsworth is a third-year law student at the University of North Carolina School of Law. She is deeply committed to public service and dedicated to improving the lives of individuals from underserved and disadvantaged communities. Her passion for this work was strengthened through prior experiences with the North Carolina Office of Special Counsel and a judicial externship with the Honorable Joe L. Webster, United States Magistrate Judge for the Middle District of North Carolina.
Aleah Wordsworth
This summer, Aleah interned with the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Eastern District of North Carolina (FPDEDNC). There, she conducted legal research and analysis on a range of federal criminal law topics, such as the United States Sentencing Guidelines and evidentiary issues. She also drafted memoranda and motions that were filed in federal court. Aleah’s most meaningful project was contributing to a sentencing memorandum where she argued for a downward variance from the advisory sentencing guidelines under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). Knowing that her work could help secure a fairer outcome for a client made the experience deeply impactful. Read more
In line with our goal of increasing visibility within the NCBA, we are excited to share an upcoming virtual event that we’d love for you to attend. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 12, from 5 to 6 p.m. for “Bridging the Gap: Wisdom from the Bench & Bar.”
Imagine you have a new client who comes to your office seeking help following an auto accident that involved a family member. During the initial consultation, they inform you that the police have everything on tape. As the attorney for this new client, you want to review the entire police file as part of your case investigation. The issue then becomes getting access to the recordings held by the local police department. This blog post outlines the steps an attorney must take to obtain recordings held by a police department in the State of North Carolina.
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Goal: “Always leave your campsite better than you found it.” — Allan Head
I am excited to serve as Chair of the NCBA Professionalism Committee. The Professionalism Committee has 40 members this year. Each member is committed to promoting professionalism and civility across the state and leaving our profession better than we found it. Committee members are involved with subcommittees as reflected in this post. In order to accommodate our 19 members who practice west of the Triangle, we will be holding an in-person meeting at the Charlotte offices of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. on January 27, 2026. Other quarterly meetings will be held at the North Carolina Bar Center. A Zoom meeting option will be provided.
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Breaking a barrier means overcoming or removing obstacles, whether they are physical walls, natural impediments, or unseen forces like social, cultural, or political restrictions that impede progress or action.
For young lawyers entering the legal profession, these barriers are not just theoretical; they are real, personal, and often deeply rooted. From the quiet pressures of tradition to the loud demands of performance, every step forward can feel like a negotiation — not just with clients or courts, but with themselves.
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My name is Jasmine McGhee. I’m honored to serve as the Chair of the NCBA’s Government and Public Sector Section this year. The work of the Section is already underway. On October 16, the Section co-sponsored a social event with the Administrative Law Section. If you weren’t able to join us, stay tuned for more membership engagement opportunities.
Our next event is our Joint Legislative CLE on Friday, November 14, again with the Administrative Law Section. You can join us in person or virtually. More information, including topics and speakers, is available online.
The Government & Public Sector Section members held a social on October 16 with members of the Administrative Law Section. Clockwise, from back center, Latoya Caesar-Crawford, Liz Sharpe, Administrative Law Vice-Chair Charla Burill and GraceAnna McCray.
In addition to membership engagement and CLE, this Bar Year, we are looking forward to the work of our Pro Bono, Ethics/Legislative, Professionalism, Communications, and Opportunity, Inclusion & Scholarships Committees. We are always accepting volunteers and ideas for the Section! To get involved in our Section, please send an email to our Communities Manager, LaSara Carter.
NCBA members Creighton Knight, center, and Tracy Harris, back left, at the social event held on October 16.
In this challenging time for all levels of government, whether you’re in government or private practice, your work as a government attorney is as important as ever. Thank you for all that you do.
Jasmine S. McGhee serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Governor Josh Stein. In that role, her portfolio includes Policy, Boards & Commissions, Intergovernmental Affairs & Outreach, VolunteerNC, and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, she was Senior Deputy Attorney General and Director of the Consumer Protection Division at the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ). Jasmine also established the Department’s Civil Rights Unit. Prior to serving as Senior Deputy, for six years she directed the Department’s Public Protection Section, which handled public safety and victim policy, outreach, and related litigation, including on gender-based violence, criminal justice reform, and consumer protection.
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