Entries by NCBA YLD

Report From the ABA Midyear Meeting

By Chazle’ Woodley Happy April All! As the new Young Lawyer Delegate to the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates, I would like to take this opportunity to provide an overview of the resolutions considered during February’s Midyear Meeting of the ABA House of Delegates in San Antonio, Texas. The ABA House of Delegates […]

More Than the Law: Why Having Hobbies Helps Lawyers

By Courtney Latourrette  The practice of law demands precision, resilience and focus, but we’re at our best when we bring our full selves to the profession. How can we make sure we are at our best? That was the theme of a recent discussion hosted by NCBA YLD joined by NCBA BarCARES President Eric Richardson […]

Building Pathways: Durham County Youth Home and the Future of the Profession

  By Quinn Byars, Alex Gwynn and Joshua Peacock Mentorship, lived experience and service came together last summer to break barriers and expand opportunities for justice-involved youth through the Building Pathways pilot at the Durham County Youth Home. The Durham County Youth Home is a secure juvenile detention facility operated by Durham County, providing temporary […]

Women Who Lead: Spotlight on Melissa McKinney

By Taylor Gibbs  As winter gives way to the promise of spring, the NCBA Young Lawyers Division’s DEI Committee takes this opportunity to recognize and celebrate Women’s History Month. Alongside International Women’s Day on March 8, this month serves as a time to honor the achievements and contributions of women throughout our nation’s history, reflect […]

Redefining Resilience: A Conversation with YLD Chair Sheila Spence on Reflections for Women’s History Month

By Alex Gwynn  Opening Question: Resilience & Motivation Alex: As we reflect during Women’s History Month, how would you define resilience in your own words, and looking back on your journey through law school into leadership, what feels most meaningful about that time, especially what sustained or motivated you to keep moving forward during such […]

Making Service Your Professional Identity, Not an Add-On

By Alex Gwynn For many lawyers, service begins as a requirement and includes pro bono hours, bar expectations and résumé building. Over time, however, service can become something deeper, a professional identity that shapes how we lead, how we practice and how we show up in our communities. On Saturday, February 28, the Young Lawyers […]

Resolutions With Results: Kick Off 2026 with YLD’s Legal Feeding Frenzy

By Marissa Barbalato and Alexandria Tuttle Each March, the NCBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) partners with Feeding the Carolinas to host the North Carolina Legal Feeding Frenzy, a statewide initiative dedicated to fighting hunger. This friendly competition invites law firms, law schools, sections and legal organizations to collect food and raise funds for local food […]

Breaking Barriers Through Connection: How NCBA YLD’s Grab-A-Coffee Program Brings Mentorship to Life

By Anna-Jamieson Beck and Courtney Latourrette For many law students, building a professional network can feel daunting, especially when starting out in a new city or navigating the demanding early years of law school. The North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Grab-A-Coffee program is helping change that, one conversation at a time.