Get Ready To Frenzy!

By Michele Livingstone

Around 1 in 4 children are food insecure in North Carolina, and over 1.5 million people, from children to seniors, are food insecure. The NCBA YLD’s Legal Feeding Frenzy is an opportunity for the legal community to come together to fight hunger in your local communities. Running for the month of March, Legal Feeding Frenzy is a month-long food and funds drive competition to see who can raise the most food per employee to benefit local Feeding the Carolina food banks. Law firms, solo practitioners, law schools, and corporate counsel are all encouraged to participate. By donating to the food banks, your dollars go further. Every dollar helps provide five meals. ($1 = 5 meals). Get your team together today! Registration is now live here.

Want to volunteer?  Join us at our kickoff event on Feb. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the local food bank in Raleigh (Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, 1924 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC, 27604) to help kick off the competition. One hundred (100) pounds of food will be awarded as a bonus to each team that has an attendee at the Kickoff Event on Feb. 28. Please contact Erin Ball at [email protected] to reserve space for you and your firm.

Interested in volunteering, but not in Raleigh? If your firm is interested in coordinating a volunteer event, we can help with that, too. Two hundred (200) pounds of food will be awarded as a bonus to each team that arranges an event for their firm at their local food bank during the month of March. Contact Erin Ball at [email protected] for assistance in planning and to receive credit for your participation.

After March 1, visit NC Legal Feeding Frenzy to donate and keep an eye on your competition.

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My Wellness Journey

By Kristin D. Mitcham

Prior to law school, I was the epitome of a healthy person. I ate right, I exercised almost every day, I slept well, and I was well hydrated. I ate all the colors of the rainbow with mostly a plant-based diet and with very little, if any, meat or dairy. I drank about a hundred ounces of water every day, I never drank coffee, and I very rarely drank soda. My vitals were excellent, with no problems with cholesterol, heart rate, or blood pressure. I exercised at least six days a week. I ran, lifted weights, swam, or practiced yoga. I loved my running community, and I participated in several long-distance races, including several triathlons, and a marathon.

During the first year of law school, a group of other law students and I would go on weekly runs, but all other aspects of my healthy lifestyle quickly went to the back burner. I needed caffeine to keep me focused on the hours upon hours of reading needed for class. I started skipping workouts to make time for projects and homework. Further, I would eat anything that was put in front of me because I did not have time to plan for meals or to cook.

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YLD January E-Blast

January 23, 2020 |  Diversity & Inclusion Mixer | Greensboro | 5:30 pm
January 23, 2020 |  Law Student Division Networking Reception | Cary | 5:00 pm
February 5, 2020 |  YLD Wellness Flywheel Class & Happy Hour | Charlotte | 6:45 pm
February 20, 2020 |  “From Attorney to Elected Official” Panel | Charlotte | 6:00 pm

COMMITTEE AND SECTION UPDATES

Wellness Committee: The Wellness Committee is hosting a free spin class at Flywheel in Charlotte on February 5, 2020. This event will be part of a statewide initiative promoting the wellness of young attorneys across the state throughout the month of February. Events will be held in Asheville, Winston-Salem, and Raleigh throughout February, stay on the lookout for more updates. A networking hour will follow (details forthcoming) at Leroy Fox after the spin class. Also, attendees of the spin class will be entered into a raffle for a $125 gift card to Flywheel. Space is limited, so sign up here.

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Thank You! From the North Carolina Bar Foundation

Jessica Thaller-Moran, bottom right, is one of many YLD members who provide vital support annually to the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s signature pro bono and public services programs, including 4ALL Statewide Service pictured here.

In this season of thanks, the North Carolina Bar Foundation would like to thank the Young Lawyers Division for generously giving of your time to pro bono and public service for the Foundation’s programs and access to justice programs all across the state. Your commitment to serve those who would otherwise not have access to legal representation is inspiring.

The YLD has long been the volunteer force behind the signature pro bono and public service programs of the Foundation. Our work would not be possible without your active engagement and participation. In addition to the supporting the Foundation’s annual programs, we are proud to have the YLD as an organization who benefits from annual grants from the Foundation’s Endowment. Your work is impactful, and the Foundation is proud to be aligned with you.

The work of the Foundation is 100% funded through private support. We would like to invite all members of the YLD to make a financial commitment, of any size, to the Foundation. The YLD is full of talent boasting a membership of over 6,000 members. Imagine how many North Carolinians we could serve if every member gave between $10-$20 to the Foundation’s Annual Fund. There is power in your membership.

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YLD December E-Blast

DATES TO KNOW

December 11, 2019 |”Pathway to the Judiciary” Panel | Cary | 6:00 pm

January 16, 2019 | Lawyers & The Rule of Law I Greensboro I 5:00 pm

January 23, 2020 | Diversity & Inclusion Mixer | Greensboro | 5:30 pm

January 23, 2020 | Law Student Division Networking Reception | Cary | 5:00 pm

COMMITTEE AND SECTION UPDATES

Civic Engagement Committee: The Civic Engagement Committee of the YLD will be hosting a “Pathway to the Judiciary” Panel on December 11, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Bar Center in Cary, featuring the following jurists: Court of Appeals Judge Allegra Collins, Fmr. Supreme Court Justice Bob Edmunds, Fmr. Court of Appeals Judge and Supreme Court Justice Robert N. Hunter, Jr., NC Admin. Law Judge Melissa Lassiter, Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway, and Fmr. Court of Appeals Judge Linda Stephens. Food and refreshments will be provided. Unable to attend in person? Join us LIVE on Zoom.

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Civic Engagement Committee December 11 Panel

By Bryan Norris

You don’t need a doctorate in American History (let alone a law degree) to know the vital role attorneys have played in the development of our nation.  And yet, according to recent data, lawyers are considered by the public to contribute less than any other profession to society’s well-being.  That negative perception correlates with lawyers’ decreased role in politics; as of 2016, attorneys made up a historically-low 36.5% of Congress, well below the high of 79.5% in 1849-50 and much lower than the 52.6% that made up the first Congress in 1789-90. Lawyers’ voices, however, are crucial to the Republic, and tend to have a shared understanding on the importance of a just and equitable government.  That viewpoint manifests in unique ways; for example, lawyer members of the House of Representatives are more likely to support government funding of legal aid programs compared to non-attorney members.

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Legal LINK

Who are we?
Legal LINK is a subcommittee of the North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. Legal LINK stands for Leadership, Information, Networking, and Knowledge. This program is designed to increase interest in legal careers among high school students who are underrepresented in the legal profession. Legal LINK consists of one-hour sessions focused on each of the LINK building blocks and includes a field trip to a local law school or courthouse. Last year, we participated in 2 schools, but this year so far, we have expanded to four schools — two in Durham, one in Roxboro, and one in Charlotte. We aim to reach out to at least 20 students each session and bring 4-5 attorneys, law students, or judges to serve as panelists.

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YLD Winter Quarterly Meeting Report

By Kristen M. Kirby
On Saturday, November 16, more than 30 young lawyers from across North Carolina gathered in-person and by phone for the YLD’s winter quarterly meeting in Wilmington.

During the meeting, we heard reports from our YLD officers and each of our 14 committees. It is safe to say that our committees have gotten off to a great start this bar year, and have many more exciting events to come!

Here are a just a few highlights of what our YLD committees are currently planning for the upcoming months:

 

  • The Civic Engagement Committee has organized a panel discussion on Paths to the Judiciary to be held in Cary on December 11 (if you are interested in attending, you can sign up here)
  • The Membership & Outreach Committee will hold a program on January 16 on the place of young lawyers in the profession, which will include a CLE component
  • The Wellness Committee is planning its Wellness Wednesday events for February 2020, with events to be held in Charlotte, Asheville, Raleigh and Winston-Salem
  • The Legal Feeding Frenzy will kick off this year’s food and fund drive supporting North Carolina food banks in late February 2020, with volunteer events to be held at each of our state’s food banks

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YLD November E-Blast

DATES TO KNOW
November 14, 2019 | YLD Diversity & Inclusion Know Your Rights Program I Durham I 5:00 pm

November 15, 2019 | Legal LINK Information Session | Durham | 12:00 pm

November 16, 2019 | YLD Winter Quarterly Meeting | Wilmington | 9:00 am

November 16, 2019 | YLD Social & Boat Tour | Wilmington | 2:00 pm

November 19, 2019 | Labor & Employment Section Empower Hour | 12:00 pm

December 11, 2019 |”Pathway to the Judciary” Panel | Cary | 6 pm

COMMITTEE AND SECTION UPDATES
Bar Exam Committee: The Bar Exam Committee is looking for volunteers! As we gear up for the February 2020 Bar Exam, we are asking members of the NCBA to sign-up to be mentors to students studying for the upcoming Bar Exam. If you are willing to sign-up as a mentor for the February 2020 Bar Exam session, please fill out the form here.  If you have questions about the program, please contact Marissa Meredith or Leila Hicks.

Civic Engagement Committee: The Civic Engagement Committee of the YLD will be hosting a “Pathway to the Judiciary” Panel on December 11, 2019, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Bar Center in Cary, featuring the following jurists: Court of Appeals Judge Allegra Collins, Fmr. Supreme Court Justice Bob Edmunds, Fmr. Court of Appeals Judge and Supreme Court Justice Robert N. Hunter, Jr., NC Admin. Law Judge Melissa Lassiter, Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway, and Fmr. Court of Appeals Judge Linda Stephens.

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The Beach is calling! Join the YLD in Wilmington on 11/16

By M. Cabell Clay

Join the Young Lawyers Division in Wilmington for our Winter Quarterly Council Meeting and social activities!  At the Council Meeting, we will review the current happenings of the YLD and continue with planning for upcoming activities.  After conducting business, we will enjoy family friendly social and networking activities.  All YLD Members are welcome to attend.

Social Events
Join the NCBA YLD on Saturday, November 16, 2019,  for two social events in Wilmington:

First, from 2–3 pm, the YLD will take an hour scenic tour of Eagle Island with the Wilmington Water Tours (https://wilmingtonwatertours.net/cruises/eagles-island-cruise/)  The cost of the boat tour is $12 for adults and $6 for children. Please call (910) 338-3134 to reserve your seat on the boat & pay the cost.

Then, from 3:30–5:30 pm, the YLD will gather at Front Street Brewery (https://www.frontstreetbrewery.com/) for a casual networking social.  Get to know your NCBA YLD Leadership and other YLDers from across the state during this low key drop-in event. First drink is on us!

Click here to register for these social events.

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