It is with great gratitude and enthusiasm that I step into the role of Chair of the Litigation Section of the North Carolina Bar Association for the 2025-2026 bar year. As I look ahead, I am honored by the opportunity to lead a Section that I deeply respect—one that plays a vital role in the professional lives of so many of us across the state.

With over 1,700 members, the Litigation Section is the second-largest section of the NCBA. We represent a diverse cross-section of North Carolina’s litigation community, including seasoned litigators, new attorneys, judges, paralegals, mediators, and law students with a passion for advocacy. At our core, we are a network of professionals committed not only to the practice of litigation, but also to building relationships, improving the profession, and supporting one another in a field that demands resilience and continual growth.

As we begin this new bar year, I want to share my goals for our Section and invite each of you to be part of the work ahead.

Rebuilding Engagement Post-COVID

Over the past few years, the legal profession—like so many others—has had to adapt to the evolving realities of remote work, shifting court schedules, and changing expectations around engagement. While we have made great strides in rebuilding our Section’s activities post-COVID, there’s still more work to be done. My foremost goal as Chair is to continue the momentum of reconnecting our members through meaningful, in-person and virtual opportunities.

This means hosting high-quality events and providing content that speaks directly to the needs of North Carolina litigators. Whether you practice in a small town or a major city, whether you are a solo practitioner or part of a large firm, we want the Litigation Section to offer something valuable to you—resources, relationships, and community.

Creating Opportunities for Fellowship Across the State

This year, we are continuing our efforts to bring social and professional engagement opportunities to members in all corners of North Carolina.

This September, we kicked off our bar year with a successful Pickleball Tournament in Raleigh. It was a great turnout, and even greater fun. More than just a social event, it was a reminder of how much we gain from gathering informally: the exchange of ideas and the camaraderie—and maybe a few questionable backhands. These kinds of events help build the kind of fellowship our Section is known for.

Looking ahead, we are planning another social event on November 9th in Charlotte: a Panthers game and pre-game social at Clutch Kitchen and Pour House. Our aim is to bring litigators together in a casual, fun environment outside the office or the courtroom. These events are not just about recreation—they are about connection.

Expanding Our Collaboration with Other Sections and Law Students

Another priority for this Bar Year is expanding our collaboration across the NCBA. The Litigation Section does not exist in a silo. Many of us practice at the intersection of other areas of law. The complexities of modern litigation mean we are constantly working across boundaries, and we want our Section activities to reflect that.

To that end, one of my specific goals is to explore co-sponsorships and joint events with other NCBA Sections. Whether it is CLE programs, networking events, or informal meetups, we want to be intentional about creating opportunities that allow members to meet colleagues from other fields, learn from each other, and grow their practices.

Similarly, we are committed to increasing engagement with law students across North Carolina. Our future as a profession depends on the next generation of litigators, and we want to be a resource to them. Whether through mentorship, student-specific programming, or networking events, we aim to make the Litigation Section a welcoming and valuable place for students looking to enter the world of advocacy.

Delivering High-Quality, Relevant Content

Of course, CLE remains one of the core benefits of Section membership, and we are dedicated to making our offerings timely, useful, and practical. In the Spring, we will host our annual Litigation Section CLE Day, featuring a full day of programming designed to sharpen your skills and keep you up to date on developments in the field.

This CLE will include panels and presentations on a wide range of topics—from trial skills to new case law to ethical challenges unique to litigators. We also plan to incorporate speakers from the bench and practitioners from across the state to ensure the content is dynamic and grounded in real-world experience. I encourage all of our members to attend, and if you have ideas for topics or speakers, we would love to hear from you.

Strengthening Our Identity as a Community

Above all, the Litigation Section is a community. We bring together attorneys, judges, and legal professionals from every corner of North Carolina and every corner of litigation practice. We support each other professionally, yes—but we also strive to create a culture of fraternity, inclusion, and mutual respect.

As Chair, I want us to lean into that identity. This year, let’s make the Litigation Section not just a resource for continuing education, but a hub for professional relationships and personal support. Let’s be a place where younger lawyers can find mentors, and where experienced attorneys can both give back and learn something new. Let’s be a place where the bench and the bar engage meaningfully, and where litigators from all practice areas feel welcomed.

If we do that—if we continue to rebuild what we had before the pandemic and build it even stronger—we will be doing more than just serving our members. We will be strengthening the litigation bar in North Carolina as a whole.

A Call to Get Involved

I want to personally invite each of you to get more involved this year. Whether you have been a Section member for a decade or just joined last month, there is a place for you here. Come to an event. Join a committee. Share your ideas with us. Nominate a speaker or volunteer to lead a CLE session. If there is something you want to see from the Litigation Section, I want to hear about it.

We are only as strong as our collective efforts—and the more voices we include, the better we become.

In Closing

Serving as Chair of the Litigation Section is a true honor. I am continually inspired by the talent, professionalism, and generosity of the lawyers in our Section. This year, I look forward to working alongside our Council, our committees, and—most importantly—you, our members, to make this bar year one of renewed energy, deeper connection, and meaningful progress.

Here’s to a great year ahead. Let’s get to work—and let’s have some fun doing it.

October 14, 2025/by Litigation