A Message from the Section Chair
By Dear Section Members:
I have had the benefit of being a member in the section since law school, having been pushed to join by my law school professor. From the moment I joined the section, I found myself surrounded by smart, driven attorneys. As I became involved in committees and council meetings, I was continuously pushed to be a better researcher, writer, and attorney. Members of the section would become my mentors and friends, people who I can (and still do) call with questions about a case or simply for personal and professional guidance.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve as your Chair of the Construction Law Section. We have great Committee Chairs and section members who dedicate their time and efforts to making the section better, and to whom I am forever grateful. While membership and member involvement remains strong, I have heard from some new and old members that they are undecided about how to get involved in leadership and committees. My challenge to everyone not already involved in a committee or leadership is to get involved. For those who have been or are in leadership or committees, my challenge to you is to get another member involved in your committee or push them for leadership.
Involvement with committees or leadership is going to be different for everyone, but here are some ideas. If you are an established mediator or arbitrator, get involved in the ADR Committee where you can share your knowledge and experience with those who are just getting started in that area. If you have a new associate, push them to join the Deskbook, CLE, or Communications Committees to expand their network of attorneys while developing their research and writing skills. If you have been involved in the section for years, simply reach out to the chairs of committees where you can offer advice and mentorship – those chairs need help coming up with CLE or article topics, editing written material, or simply reaching out to new members. A final idea is to reach out to Matt Bouchard who is exploring some new and exciting opportunities in the Pro Bono Committee that may lend itself to accompanying a new attorney to a pro bono hearing in Court. If you’re not sure where to get involved, reach out to me or any other member of the Council and ask how you can help.
One of the best places to find your “place” in the section and get involved is at one of our CLEs. When you’re there, make a point to seek out the committee chairs or leadership and talk about how you can get involved. I was excited to see a lot of this happening in Charleston at the Joint North Carolina/South Carolina CLE, and simply to see old friends and make new ones. Carmela Mastrianni and her CLE Committee did a great job on that program. But I am also very excited about our upcoming Mid-Winter CLE in Raleigh. That Mid-Winter CLE will be held at the Bar Center on Thursday, February 16, and will be planned by Brian Schoolman and his CLE Committee members.
So dive into the section this year and get involved, and bring someone with you. If you have questions, call me or anyone in leadership. I hope to see you all in Raleigh, and I look forward to serving as your Chair in the months to come.
To sign up for a committee, fill out the online form.
Carl Burchette is the 2022-23 Chair of the Construction Law Section.