Building for a Better Tomorrow
By As I begin my year as your Chair, I am humbled to have this honor to serve such a talented, committed group of attorneys. I have been privileged to work with you in my practice and while at the Office of Administrative Hearings. We all work very hard to apply administrative law to help our clients, the citizens of North Carolina and the administrative process. Each day, we are building for a better tomorrow.
James Madison in the Federalist papers talks of the need to have a strong, effective form of government which includes the administrative process. Fundamental to this effort is the requirement of due process and equal opportunity to access and participate in the administrative process. Attorneys have been the core of the effort to make Administrative Law the best it can be for many years. With the chaotic atmosphere we are living in and the seemingly strong desire to find quick simple solutions to the myth of less government is better, there is no time like now for your strong efforts and leadership. Do we want a government that acts as it wishes with no meaningful recourse for public engagement and response? Do we want processes which do not place primary emphasis on notice and appropriate time and means to respond? Do we want professions or trades to be licensed without appropriate training to practice their professions or trades, or to have them not licensed at all when they may affect the health and safety of our people? Do we want elected leaders or members of the judiciary to act without the benefit of respectful and honest guidance?
Now is the time for us to educate the public, the elected leaders, and the judiciary as to what Administrative Law really is – to help them to understand that this is not about intrusion or unnecessary restrictions.
Instead, Administrative Law is about transparent, effective government which serves all citizens, sets guidelines for government activity, and protects the citizens of North Carolina from abuse or harm. Educate your clients. Talk to your friends. Volunteer for pro bono work. Help the judiciary in whatever appropriate manner you can. Communicate with your legislators to help them know the reality and nuances of Administrative Law.
With all these efforts, we will continue to build for a better tomorrow.
This year I am privileged to lead the following individuals who chair the designated committees or serve as liaisons:
CLE Fall: Jeff Gray and Taniya Reaves
CLE Spring: Frank Trainor and Stephen White
Communications: Ann Wall, Nick Dowgul and Nahale Kalfas
Diversity: Catherine Lee and Mary Jane Richardson
Ethics: Judge Stacey Bawtinhimer, Tod Brodus
Government & Public Sector (GPS) Section Liaison: Jeff Gray
Judicial Review: Jack Nichols
Legislative: David Farrell, Jack Nichols
Local Government: Allison Cooper
Membership: Wes Tripp, Jonathan Stillo
OAH: Chief Judge Donald van der Vaart
OAH Liaison: Judge Robin Anderson
OAH Rules Liaison: Ashley Snyder
Occupational Licensing: Nick Dowgul, Charla Burill
Pro Bono: Grady Shields
Paralegal Division Liaison: Melissa Vuotto
Rules Review Commission (RRC) Liaison: Jeanette Doran
Young Lawyers Division Liaison: Grant Simpkins
Please contact any of us to let us know your comments and concerns. Each of the above committees need members. This is an excellent way to contribute. Please consider joining one of the committees.
I look forward to an exciting and successful year!
Bain Jones is a sole practitioner in Raleigh and former Chair of the NCBA Workers Compensation Section. Bain practices Administrative, Workers Compensation, Social Security and Employment law.