An Overview of Bar Organizations and Dues Requirements

By Kayla Britt

You are excited to graduate, to pass the bar, and to be sworn in as a licensed attorney in North Carolina, but did you know there are requirements other than passing the bar and getting sworn in?

Although this information is readily available on a variety of websites, finding the answers to questions may be overwhelming for a newly licensed attorney.

Below is a quick preview of organizations you will be required or recommended to join and information on dues that must be paid. Read more

A Conversation with Person Early College: Legal LINK’s First Virtual Panel!

By Larissa Mañón Mervin

Legal LINK is a subcommittee of the NCBA Young Lawyers Division. Traditionally, our program arranges for legal professionals to visit local high schools and share information about the legal profession with underrepresented youth. Specifically, we share information about the four building blocks of the LINK program: leadership, information, networking and knowledge.

However, like so many programs throughout our communities, we are no longer able to go in person due to the pandemic. As a result, we had to find ways to adapt to the safety needs of our community while remaining true to our mission. We did this by offering the same program through a virtual format. This opened the amount of opportunities we could explore, and on March 12, we had our first virtual conversation with Person Early College. We could not be prouder of the results!

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Letter to Adelaide

This piece was selected as a winning entry in the YLD’s 2021 Writing Competition.

By Cara N. Ludwig

Dear Daughter,

Today is your first birthday! In some ways, it was typical: a colorful cake and a few gifts you opened and then happily ignored while you played with the boxes. In other ways, it was not at all typical. There was no big gathering to share in your joy. No baptism at church. No trip to the park to celebrate with friends.

It was just us, at home, loving you within the confines of these four walls. As we have done day after day after day.

Your nursery is decorated with globes and maps and signs reminding you that “adventure is waiting for you, little one.” From the moment you were born, I have anticipated traveling the world with you, seeing each new experience through your precious eyes.

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The NCBA YLD Announces the Winners of the 2021 Writing Competition

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Claire O’Brien

Christina Cress

By Claire O’Brien and Christina Cress

The NCBA YLD is thrilled to announce the winners of our 2021 Writing Competition:

• Cara Ludwig, “Letter to Adelaide.”

• Lashieka Hardin, “Blurred Lines.”

• Alex Hardee, “The Last Resort.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has clarified many significant issues that impact each of us not only as legal professionals, but as members of a global community. These authors gave voice to unique perspectives within that community. Their pieces address the challenges of pandemic parenthood, cry out for social justice, and offer a dream of a future with greater environmental stewardship. We hope these pieces prompt you to reflect on our shared experience of living during this unusual time.

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YLD e-Blast: March 2021

Christina Cress

Claire O’Brien

By Christina Cress and Claire O’Brien

Dates to Know

April 15 | Mingling with Membership: Impeachments by Michael Gerhardt | 4 to 5 p.m.

May 6 | Labor & Employment Law Section Annual Meeting | 3 to 3:30 p.m.

Committee and Section Updates

Law Week and Liberty Bell Committee

The YLD’s Law Week and Liberty Bell Committee is gearing up for the 2021 Law Day on Friday, May 7, 2021. This year’s Law Day theme is “Advancing the Rule of Law Now.” Please be on the lookout for updates on the virtual luncheon. The committee hosted its first virtual Moot Court Competition on Saturday, March 20, and selected four deserving students to move forward to the final round being held at 11 a.m. on Law Day. The committee also hosts multiple other competitions and will be selecting winners for those this month. Finally, the committee will also select the recipient of the prestigious Liberty Bell Award. The winners of these competitions and the recipient of the Liberty Bell Award will be announced during the Law Day virtual ceremony on May 7.
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NCBA Government & Public Sector Section Summer Scholarship

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By R. Wyatt Bland

I would like to thank the North Carolina Bar Association Government & Public Sector Section for awarding me with a $500 scholarship to supplement my living expenses during my internship with the Wake County District Attorney’s Office. I applied for the scholarship this past summer by submitting my resume and a cover letter about my passion for public service.

I strive to live a life of service and make a difference. That goal is why I joined the North Carolina Army National Guard in high school. While attending East Carolina University, I followed my passion for service by striving to embody the university motto of “Servire” – “To Serve” – through various service roles within the Student Government Association and the Student Conduct Board. In my first year as a student representative, I sponsored more legislation than any other member, which led to positive changes in my community, ranging from healthier options at the dining hall to the installation of a crosswalk at a local intersection. I continued to serve in law school as the NCBA Student Representative and vice president, managing partner for the Veterans Pro Bono Project, and editor in chief of the Campbell Law Observer. As the managing partner for the Veterans Pro Bono Project, I led the transition from a project that lacked direction and opportunities to a project now approved by the faculty and Dean to provide pro bono discharge upgrade services.

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The Grab a Coffee Program – A Successful Year

By Kayla Britt 

The NCBA YLD Grab a Coffee (GaC) Program went virtual this year. With more than one hundred attorney and law student matches, we had one of the most successful years of the program. Attorneys and law students were matched primarily based on practice areas and geographical location. The pairs scheduled their meetings using the software of their choice, at the time and date that worked best for them. We also included a feedback survey to guide our efforts in improving GaC for the years to come. We are proud of how well GaC took off this year, and we look forward to seeing it grow in the future.

Hear from two participants in the program, attorney Joshua Richardson and Wake Forest School of Law student Grace Koppenheffer, who share more about their individual GaC experiences below. Joshua and Grace were paired separately and both had a wonderful experience.

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An Interview with Erin Locklear

By Jeremy Locklear and Erin Locklear

Why do you consider yourself a diverse attorney?

When I think of a classic definition of “diverse,” I think of someone who differs from those around her. As a Native attorney, that definition has applied to my experience. I have never practiced with another Native attorney. I have only ever encountered one Native attorney while representing my client — a personal injury attorney who was representing an adverse party. There are no Native attorneys in any of the industry-specific trade organizations to which I belong. So, I do consider myself a diverse attorney and I have placed an emphasis on building bridges with those who are different from me.

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YLD Lunch and Learn Series, Part 2: In-House Counsel

By Sheila Spence 

The North Carolina Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division is hosting Part 2 of the four-part Lunch and Learn Series focused on various practice areas. Every third Wednesday at noon, you will hear from one of our liaisons and YLD council about what it’s like to work in their practice areas. The second series will be held on March 17, 2021, at noon and will cover going in-house.

Register here for the In-House Counsel Series on March 17!

Learn what it takes to be an in-house lawyer, what a typical day is like, and what some of the pros and cons are, and ask questions and network with fellow YLD members! Whether you are a young lawyer, transitioning lawyer, or law student, find out what it’s like to work in various practice areas and the best way to position yourself to get there.

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YLD e-Blast: February 2021

Christina Cress

Claire O’Brien

By Christina Cress and Claire O’Brien

Dates to Know

Feb. 26, 2021 | YLD Pro Bono Panel | 11 a.m.

Feb. 26, 2021 | Legal Feeding Frenzy Virtual Kickoff Event

Feb. 28, 2021 | Deadline to Submit YLD Writing Competition Entry | 5 p.m.

March 3, 2021 | Mentoring Diverse Lawyers: We All Rise Together | noon

March 11, 2021 | Mingling with Membership: Discussing My Cousin Vinny | 4 to 5 p.m.

March 18, 2021 | Estate Planning Section CLE | 8:55 a.m. to 4:10 p.m. Read more