It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many, if not all, into some position of discomfort. From business closings to restrictions on in-person gatherings, many aspects of what we consider to be “normal life” have been removed. With much of this “normal life” taken away, it seems natural for us to focus on all the things we don’t have as a result of these circumstances.
However, I would like to challenge everyone to find the positive in what seems like so much negative — to discover the light in what seems like so much darkness. I propose that we concentrate on identifying the things that we still do have under these difficult circumstances, instead of lamenting what we don’t have. More than anything, I want to suggest that we all remain intentional about being thankful for the little things. Let’s make gratitude our new attitude.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00NCBA YLDhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBA YLD2020-12-04 16:30:072020-12-04 16:30:48Being Thankful for the Little Things
Law Week and Liberty Bell Committee: The YLD’s Law Week and Liberty Bell Committee is gearing up to start preparing for Law Day in May 2021! The Committee is currently looking for additional volunteers to help with these efforts. If you enjoy working with kids ranging from elementary to high school age, this is the committee for you! The Committee welcomes new ideas and is excited about the meaningful opportunity to help the next generation understand the importance of their voice. There are several subcommittees, including: (1) Poster Competition; (2) Essay Competition; (3) Moot Court Competition; (4) Liberty Bell; and (5) McIntyre Award. In addition to seeking additional volunteers, the Committee would like to alert all YLD members that in the upcoming weeks, it will be posting announcements for each competition. All YLD members are encouraged to share these announcements with colleagues, family, and friends, and on social media. These could be great activities to do over the winter break! Finally, the Committee also will need volunteer judges and timekeepers for the upcoming Moot Court Regional Competition in March. Check back soon for dates and more information. If you have any questions or want additional information on how to get involved, please reach out to Sidney Thomas or William Walton.
The Young Lawyers Division Bar Exam Committee (“YLD BEC”) exists to assist prospective North Carolina lawyers in applying and sitting for the North Carolina Bar Examination. In this post, the YLD BEC shares important details regarding the upcoming February and July 2021 North Carolina Bar Exams, which, like most things since early 2020, will likely be anything but ordinary.
In addition to the information below, all applicants should thoroughly read all information posted on the website of the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners (NCBLE) (www.ncble.org), as well as the Rules Governing Admission to the Practice of Law in the State of North Carolina and the Character and Fitness Guidelines, both of which can be located on the NCBLE website here.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00NCBA YLDhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBA YLD2020-11-03 11:11:472020-11-03 11:11:47Important Bar Exam Details for February and July Test Takers
As the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “I tell law students . . . if you are going to be a lawyer and just practice your profession, you have a skill — very much like a plumber. But if you want to be a true professional, you will do something outside yourself . . . something that makes life a little better for people less fortunate than you.”
The National Celebration of Pro Bono Week is October 25-31, and that means it is a week of celebrating pro bono! This pro bono week, I would like to share with you how you can make an impact in your community by providing legal services to those in need. #celebrateprobono Read more
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00NCBA YLDhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBA YLD2020-10-29 14:52:402020-10-29 14:52:40Get Involved: National Pro Bono Week
Membership and Outreach Committee: The YLD’s Membership and Outreach Committee invites you to join us for a virtual trivia night hosted by Sporcle Live Trivia! It will be a great membership engagement/networking opportunity for all YLD members! You can either select your team in advance or be assigned randomly, so there is an opportunity for everyone to spend some time with your colleagues or to get to know someone new. We will also have prizes for the winning team! The event will be held on Thursday, November 12, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Zoom information will be sent on November 12 to those who have registered before the registration deadline on November 9. You can register yourself or you can get a group ticket and register up to 6 players. When registering a group, you will be able to search for other members and add them to your team! Registration is limited to 60 people, so sign up today! If you have any questions, please email Cheyenne Merrigan, NCBA Communities Manager.
“Wellness.” “Well-being.” “Mental health.” “Self-care.” With the entirely new way of life that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the world, I have noticed that terms like these are being used more than ever before. This focus may be new to some, but the legal industry is no stranger to never-ending conversations regarding the health and well-being of lawyers.
Indeed, prior to the pandemic, I could not think of the term “wellness” outside of the context of my fledgling career as a young attorney. For me, “wellness” referred to the affirmative actions I could take to protect myself from the stresses and strains that can accompany being a lawyer. For example, instead of installing my work email on my phone, I opted to get a second phone provided by my firm, so that I could have a literal physical boundary between my personal life and the office. So, when the pandemic started, references to mental and physical wellness — from social media posts and employer email blasts, to commercials on TV with the message, “It’s OK to not be OK” — largely fell on my figuratively deaf ears. As a young lawyer, I sometimes feel inundated by sources from both inside and outside the legal field that tell me I must focus on wellness and mental health, or else I will face dire consequences. As a result, when the self-care messaging increased in the wake of COVID-19, I felt that I was already an expert in practicing wellness. I did not believe that this bizarre time brought on by the pandemic would be any more of a challenge to my wellness than the legal industry already poses to it.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00NCBA YLDhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBA YLD2020-10-16 13:50:472020-10-16 14:02:37Rediscovering the Power of Self-Care
Why are you involved in the NCBA? I am involved in the NCBA because I believe it is especially critical that as prospective attorneys, student leaders promote a richer and more effective association that increases the association’s strengths, capabilities, and adaptability. This priority can more effectively address member and societal needs with the varied perspectives, experiences, knowledge, and understanding inherent in diverse coalitions. I want to assume other leadership roles within the organization in the future and believe this opportunity provides me with the experience needed.
What advice would you give to a 1L? Always remember your “why” when challenges arise and let that serve as your guidepost for achieving your potential, growth, and success.
What is your area of practice interest? My area of practice interests are civil rights litigation, constitutional litigation, and appellate litigation.
Why did you go to law school? I pursued law school because I believe the law and advocacy are the most powerful weapons that can be wielded against the inequitable and unjust social conditions harming marginalized groups. I want to serve people in the role of an advocate to promote greater and more equal access to justice.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Macy Abernethyhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngMacy Abernethy2020-10-12 16:02:572020-10-27 09:54:26Meet Your 2020-21 Law Student Reps
September is Hunger Action Month. People all over the United States stand together with the Feeding America network to fight hunger. It’s a month to spread the word and take action — and, with your help, find a solution to end the hunger crisis.
North Carolina is the 10th hungriest state in the nation. To help our neighbors in need, the YLD’s Legal Feeding Frenzy (“LFF”) Committee partners each year with Feeding the Carolinas to host a month-long food- and fund-drive. This past March, our legal community was able to raise a record-breaking $151,000 or 600,000 pounds of food! With these resources, our local food banks were able to address unprecedented needs that resulted from layoffs, school closures, and other life crises caused by COVID-19. We look forward to kick-starting another record-breaking LFF in March 2021! However, with COVID-19 continuing to rage on, North Carolina has seen a 38% increase in demand at our food banks. Our neighbors and food banks need our help now.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00NCBA YLDhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBA YLD2020-09-29 16:23:402020-09-29 16:23:40A Message from the YLD Legal Feeding Frenzy Committee in Honor of Hunger Action Month!
What You Need to Know About the New Community Platform
This year, the NCBA has switched to a new online community platform. This new community platform for Sections, Divisions and Councils offers many more features than the previous system. Below is a summary of the basics and what you need to know to utilize this platform and its features.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00NCBA YLDhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBA YLD2020-09-28 00:17:112023-02-24 12:31:37Ketan Soni Presents “The New Community Platform”
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