By Alicia Mitchell-Mercer

Frequently, legal professionals find themselves in a dual role – leaders and managers. While there are many similarities between those two roles, the primary distinction is that a leader focuses more on people while a manager focuses more on the technical aspects of completing a project. Legal professionals need both skill sets to be effective in their organizations.

If you take one thing away from this article, let it be this. Leaders are thermostats. They set the temperature of their organization. Staff, volunteers, and team members are thermometers. They read the temperature of their organization. This “setting” and “reading” of temperatures is your organizational culture. It affects how your members work together. Organizational culture can be an engine propelling a mission forward or a blockade stifling every opportunity for improvement. To create a healthy work environment, legal professionals must create and maintain a functional organizational culture that is informed, effective, respectful, candid, compassionate, and just.
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By the Supreme Court’s Office of Administrative Counsel 

The Supreme Court of North Carolina has adopted amendments to the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts in response to the Judicial Branch’s ongoing eCourts initiative. The Supreme Court’s order amending the rules was adopted on April 21, 2021, and is effective on May 10, 2021.

Beginning this summer, the Judicial Branch will implement Odyssey, a statewide electronic-filing and case-management system. The system will be made available across the state in phases over the next few years. Among other things, the amendments adopted by the Supreme Court define electronic filing in counties with Odyssey.

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By the Communications Committee

Paralegal Spotlight is the division’s monthly publication designed to share division members’ stories with colleagues, inspire present and future paralegal professionals, and strengthen awareness of the profession and association.

Each month, we select one amazing paralegal from among our membership and ask them to share a little bit about their personal and professional life. Join Paralegal Spotlight as we learn more about member talents, skills, personal and professional goals, technology tips, accomplishments, volunteer work, and more.

This month’s Paralegal Spotlight is on Katsiaryna Fox.

Position Title: Patent Paralegal.

Major Duties: Assist patent attorneys and agents with patent prosecution. Read more

Do you know an amazing multitasking paralegal ninja who is civic-minded, shines through adversity, and always lifts others up? Each year, the Paralegal Division of the North Carolina Bar Association recognizes an outstanding paralegal member who demonstrates exemplary leadership, professionalism, and commitment to the paralegal profession and to the public. It’s that time! Submit your nominations for our 2021 Distinguished Paralegal Award. It only takes a moment to make someone’s year by nominating a Paralegal Division member (you may nominate yourself) and letting them know how much you appreciate their contributions.

Basis of Award

The 2021 Distinguished Paralegal Award will be given to a Paralegal Division regular member who has actively participated in paralegal activities such as civic/community volunteering, paralegal leadership, paralegal education, and promotion of the paralegal profession during the 2021 nomination period (May 2020 through April 2021).

The award winner will be determined by a Paralegal Division Award Committee following a review of all completed nomination forms submitted by the deadline set below. Read more

By the North Carolina Judicial Branch

Are you interested in understanding more about criminal court case processing in North Carolina? Courtesy of the North Carolina Judicial Branch, the Paralegal Division blog is publishing a three-part series the first three weeks of February. The series includes an overview of the following:

Part I: Infraction Case Processing

Part II: Misdemeanor Case Processing

Part III: Felony Case Processing

The information below provides a general overview of criminal processing in North Carolina. It is not a substitute for reviewing the specific requirements contained in the North Carolina General Statutes and the opinions of the North Carolina appellate courts. Please also be aware that procedural nuances may vary among North Carolina’s one hundred counties.

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