When I started practicing in the privacy and data security space years ago, my colleagues and I talked shop about the EU Data Protection Directive, sectoral laws like HIPAA and GLBA, and the early wave of data breach laws. As time passed, our conversations shifted to the Federal Trade Commission, Wyndham Hotels, poor LabMD, and the dawning realization that what was in a company’s privacy policy needed to be — well — accurate. Even then, we saw plenty of off-the-shelf privacy policies and related representations that tried, but did not line up with reality. And often, privacy lawyers were the lonely nerds in the room telling folks that maybe, just maybe, that document needed a bit more detail.
Fast forward to today: between the FTC’s steady stream of enforcement actions and the broader wave of privacy-related litigation and regulations, privacy lawyers know that what you say in a privacy policy — or should have said but didn’t — can come back to haunt you. (See this, for example.) At the IAPP global conference in March, we heard this repeatedly. As one speaker put it, if you say what you do and do what you say, you’re 80% of the way there. So, my big, not-so-earth-shattering takeaway from the IAPP this year is that accuracy matters, and digging into the details matters even more. We are no longer operating in the era of grace periods.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Privacy and Data Securityhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngPrivacy and Data Security2026-05-01 11:08:332026-05-01 11:08:33Everything I Needed to Know about Privacy I Learned in Kindergarten?
AI is everywhere right now — but what does it actually look like in real property practice?
Join the NCBA Real Property Section in Asheville, May 15-16, for a practical session on AI in real property practice with Andrea Davis, Vice President and State Counsel with Chicago Title.
AI is already embedded in many of the tools attorneys use every day — from title software to document management systems — and is improving efficiency in tasks like document review, contract analysis and research.
Andrea’s session focuses on simple, practical applications, including:
Contract review and drafting
Summarizing documents
Closing package organization
Issue-spotting and double-checking work
She demonstrates how AI can assist with reviewing a commercial lease by generating a concise summary, flagging risks and negotiation points, and creating an attorney issue checklist. The key is structured prompting with guardrails, allowing attorneys to gain efficiency while maintaining control.
A central theme of the session is keeping a “human in the loop.” Attorneys must use AI in a way that aligns with professional obligations, including competence and supervision, confidentiality and clear client communication.
Takeaway
This session will give you practical tools you can use immediately, including sample prompts and real workflows, while reinforcing a critical principle: AI supports, but does not replace, attorney judgment.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00RealPropertyhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngRealProperty2026-04-30 16:24:082026-04-30 16:24:082026 Real Property Section Annual Meeting Preview: AI for Attorneys
For health care counsel who advise on privacy issues, including compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the Fourth Circuit’s recent decision in United States v. Russell offers a reminder that the scope of protected patient information is broad and that unauthorized access can trigger not only contractual and regulatory consequences, but criminal exposure as well.
The case arose after a screenshot of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s information from George Washington University Hospital appeared online.[1] The screenshot displayed her name, the dates of multiple hospital visits and categories of services associated with those visits, including radiology, oncology and surgery. The ensuing investigation led authorities to Trent Russell, whose work for an organ-donation-related nonprofit gave him both on-site and remote access to patient medical records in the hospital’s systems. Search logs and forensic analysis linked the relevant access to Russell’s home computer.[2]
A jury ultimately convicted Russell of wrongfully obtaining individually identifiable health information in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1320d-6(a)(2) and of destroying or altering records to impede an investigation under 18 U.S.C. § 1519.[3] On April 14, 2026, the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction and the district court’s sentencing of Russell to 24 months’ imprisonment.[4]
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00HealthLawhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngHealthLaw2026-04-30 16:23:142026-04-30 16:23:14Criminal Consequences for Violations of Patient Privacy — Recent Update from the Fourth Circuit
Losing a loved one is never easy, and dealing with legal paperwork in the midst of grief can feel especially overwhelming. If you’ve been asked to help manage an estate, you might be wondering, “Where do I even begin?”
Take a breath. You’re not alone, and with the right guidance, this process can feel far more manageable than it first appears.
I’m Bernice Kendall, an estate administration paralegal with over 30 years of experience helping North Carolina families navigate this journey. From my time in the Wake County Clerk of Court’s Wills and Estates Division to years in private practice, I’ve guided many through these exact steps.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the estate administration process in North Carolina one step at a time so that you know what to expect and how to move forward with confidence. Please note that this is general information, not legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, I recommend consulting a qualified attorney.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Paralegalshttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngParalegals2026-04-30 14:38:452026-04-30 14:38:45Understanding the Estate Administration Process in North Carolina
Fox Rothschild Selects New Leadership, Adds Partner
Diana Palacek is now the Managing Partner of Fox Rothschild’s Charlotte office. She practices commercial real estate transactions and focuses on financing (closing, servicing and enforcement), purchase and sale, ground-up development and leasing. She previously served as in-house counsel for a financial services organization in Greensboro and a financial services organization in Winston-Salem. She is a member of CREW Charlotte, a chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Women Network. She holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Erskine College.
Susan Fradenburg is now the Managing Partner in the firm’s Greenville office. She has practiced health care law for more than 25 years. She focuses on representing long-term care providers, pharmacies and hospitals. She has argued at the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. She works alongside the firm’s health law team to provide crisis management assistance to health care facilities. She has served as a speaker, and she has written articles on the topic of providing a response to crisis events, CARES ACT funding and more. She is a member of Rotary and serves at her local elementary school as a study buddy volunteer. She holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree with highest distinction from the University of Kansas.
Terrill Johnson Harris is now co-chair of the Health Law Practice Group. She advises a range of health care providers on regulatory compliance, major transactions and dispute resolution. She has more than thirty years of experience assisting clients in matters of regulatory compliance, strategic planning and risk management. From 2022-2024, she served on the Legal Committee for the nonprofit LeadingAge. She also served as chair of the Board of Trustees of Friends Homes, Inc., from 2017 to 2019. She volunteers with the Women’s Resource Center. She received her law degree from Duke University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University.
Jason Vogel has joined the firm as a partner. He will practice in the Raleigh office and will be a member of the Intellectual Property Department. Vogel is an international trademark and copyright attorney. He provides counsel to clients on U.S. and international trademark and copyright strategy, clearance, protection, enforcement and transactions. He is experienced in multijurisdictional trademark and copyright registration, enforcement and litigation. He holds a law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music.
This spring, the YLD Pro Bono Leadership Cohort came together through a meaningful series of pro bono clinics, civic engagement programs and community-building events across North Carolina. Rather than functioning as isolated service opportunities, these experiences collectively reflected a shared commitment to access to justice and helped participants begin to see pro bono service as something deeper than an obligation, an evolving part of professional identity, leadership and how we show up in the legal community.
Throughout the spring, cohort members engaged in hands-on service, collaborative programming, and informal networking that created space not only for legal impact but also for reflection, relationship-building and professional growth.
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 YLD2026-04-24 09:30:192026-04-24 09:30:19Where Service Becomes Leadership: Pro Bono in the Lives of Emerging Lawyers
Compliance with the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker; it just requires early attention and the right approach.
In this Annual Meeting preview video, Nena Mills, National Education Director with FIRPTA Solutions, shares what to expect from her upcoming CLE session, “FIRPTA Fun: Nothing Says “Fun” Like Tax Withholding,” and offers insight into how attorneys can approach FIRPTA transactions with greater clarity and confidence.
A good hairstyle (or cut) is the gateway to a positive self-image. Your self-image is the armor needed to battle the ups and downs in the workplace and in life. At times, what you see in the mirror, your hands, face, legs and other body parts, is shaped by outsider comments that influence how you think, feel and react. In those times, you feel the most vulnerable about your appearance.
Your hair is no exception. You feel pressure to acquiesce to demands from family, friends, and society. “Is that the best color for your hair type?” “You didn’t ask me if you could cut/color/change your hair.” “I’m surprised that you cut your bangs.”
It must be hard for Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry and Jamie Lee Curtis. These ladies exemplified pop culture’s gold standard of the iconic hairstyle: Jennifer’s “The Rachel,” Halle Berry’s pixie cut and Jamie Lee’s senior silver strands. Their immortal faces were stationed on every magazine cover. They were famous because of their hair. They inspired young and old. They inspired me, especially Halle. My first college haircut was straight from Ebony magazine, which featured a photo of Halle. I liked the pixie hairdo, and I thought it would look good on me. I said bye-bye to my shoulder-length hair and hello to stardom. I felt like an Oscar winner. I had to manage expectations from outsiders. I had to manage my internal voice.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00womenintheprofessionhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngwomenintheprofession2026-04-21 15:17:452026-04-21 15:18:41Take Care of Yourself
Budget impasses. Shifting case law. AI tools everyone’s talking about, but no one’s explained. If you’re a government attorney in North Carolina, you know the terrain is getting rougher — and the map keeps changing.
On Friday, May 1, the NCBA Government & Public Sector Section is hosting The Government Lawyer’s Survival Program at the Bar Center in Cary (also available via live webcast). This full‑day course delivers six hours of MCLE credit, including one hour of ethics and one hour of technology training, all built around the real‑world challenges government lawyers are facing right now.
And here’s a survival tip you won’t find in any field manual: at roughly $25 per CLE hour, this might just be the most affordable CLE in North Carolina — a deal so good it deserves its own compass rose.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00GovernmentandPublicSectorhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngGovernmentandPublicSector2026-04-21 14:21:082026-04-21 14:23:48Lost in the Legal Wilderness? This CLE Is Your Survival Guide
How Experienced Paralegals Can Streamline Procedures to Enhance Their Strategic Value
In today’s legal environment, complexity is the norm. Whether managing multi-party litigation, coordinating real estate closings, or tracking corporate compliance deadlines, experienced paralegals increasingly serve as the backbone of legal execution. Their expertise drives effective legal operations.
Without structured systems in place, even seasoned professionals can find themselves pulled into reactive task management. The difference between simply keeping up and leading strategically often comes down to one factor: the effective use of project management tools.
Everything I Needed to Know about Privacy I Learned in Kindergarten?
Privacy and Data SecurityWhen I started practicing in the privacy and data security space years ago, my colleagues and I talked shop about the EU Data Protection Directive, sectoral laws like HIPAA and GLBA, and the early wave of data breach laws. As time passed, our conversations shifted to the Federal Trade Commission, Wyndham Hotels, poor LabMD, and the dawning realization that what was in a company’s privacy policy needed to be — well — accurate. Even then, we saw plenty of off-the-shelf privacy policies and related representations that tried, but did not line up with reality. And often, privacy lawyers were the lonely nerds in the room telling folks that maybe, just maybe, that document needed a bit more detail.
Fast forward to today: between the FTC’s steady stream of enforcement actions and the broader wave of privacy-related litigation and regulations, privacy lawyers know that what you say in a privacy policy — or should have said but didn’t — can come back to haunt you. (See this, for example.) At the IAPP global conference in March, we heard this repeatedly. As one speaker put it, if you say what you do and do what you say, you’re 80% of the way there. So, my big, not-so-earth-shattering takeaway from the IAPP this year is that accuracy matters, and digging into the details matters even more. We are no longer operating in the era of grace periods.
Read more
2026 Real Property Section Annual Meeting Preview: AI for Attorneys
Real PropertyAI is everywhere right now — but what does it actually look like in real property practice?
Join the NCBA Real Property Section in Asheville, May 15-16, for a practical session on AI in real property practice with Andrea Davis, Vice President and State Counsel with Chicago Title.
Register for the Annual Meeting.
What You’ll Learn
AI is already embedded in many of the tools attorneys use every day — from title software to document management systems — and is improving efficiency in tasks like document review, contract analysis and research.
Andrea’s session focuses on simple, practical applications, including:
She demonstrates how AI can assist with reviewing a commercial lease by generating a concise summary, flagging risks and negotiation points, and creating an attorney issue checklist. The key is structured prompting with guardrails, allowing attorneys to gain efficiency while maintaining control.
A central theme of the session is keeping a “human in the loop.” Attorneys must use AI in a way that aligns with professional obligations, including competence and supervision, confidentiality and clear client communication.
Takeaway
This session will give you practical tools you can use immediately, including sample prompts and real workflows, while reinforcing a critical principle: AI supports, but does not replace, attorney judgment.
Resources
We hope to see you in Asheville!
Criminal Consequences for Violations of Patient Privacy — Recent Update from the Fourth Circuit
Health Law SectionFor health care counsel who advise on privacy issues, including compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the Fourth Circuit’s recent decision in United States v. Russell offers a reminder that the scope of protected patient information is broad and that unauthorized access can trigger not only contractual and regulatory consequences, but criminal exposure as well.
The case arose after a screenshot of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s information from George Washington University Hospital appeared online.[1] The screenshot displayed her name, the dates of multiple hospital visits and categories of services associated with those visits, including radiology, oncology and surgery. The ensuing investigation led authorities to Trent Russell, whose work for an organ-donation-related nonprofit gave him both on-site and remote access to patient medical records in the hospital’s systems. Search logs and forensic analysis linked the relevant access to Russell’s home computer.[2]
A jury ultimately convicted Russell of wrongfully obtaining individually identifiable health information in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 1320d-6(a)(2) and of destroying or altering records to impede an investigation under 18 U.S.C. § 1519.[3] On April 14, 2026, the Fourth Circuit affirmed the conviction and the district court’s sentencing of Russell to 24 months’ imprisonment.[4]
Read more
Understanding the Estate Administration Process in North Carolina
Paralegal DivisionLosing a loved one is never easy, and dealing with legal paperwork in the midst of grief can feel especially overwhelming. If you’ve been asked to help manage an estate, you might be wondering, “Where do I even begin?”
Take a breath. You’re not alone, and with the right guidance, this process can feel far more manageable than it first appears.
I’m Bernice Kendall, an estate administration paralegal with over 30 years of experience helping North Carolina families navigate this journey. From my time in the Wake County Clerk of Court’s Wills and Estates Division to years in private practice, I’ve guided many through these exact steps.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the estate administration process in North Carolina one step at a time so that you know what to expect and how to move forward with confidence. Please note that this is general information, not legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, I recommend consulting a qualified attorney.
Read more
Checking In: April 28, 2026
Checking InCompiled by Jessica Junqueira
Fox Rothschild Selects New Leadership, Adds Partner
Diana Palacek is now the Managing Partner of Fox Rothschild’s Charlotte office. She practices commercial real estate transactions and focuses on financing (closing, servicing and enforcement), purchase and sale, ground-up development and leasing. She previously served as in-house counsel for a financial services organization in Greensboro and a financial services organization in Winston-Salem. She is a member of CREW Charlotte, a chapter of the Commercial Real Estate Women Network. She holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Erskine College.
Susan Fradenburg is now the Managing Partner in the firm’s Greenville office. She has practiced health care law for more than 25 years. She focuses on representing long-term care providers, pharmacies and hospitals. She has argued at the North Carolina Court of Appeals and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. She works alongside the firm’s health law team to provide crisis management assistance to health care facilities. She has served as a speaker, and she has written articles on the topic of providing a response to crisis events, CARES ACT funding and more. She is a member of Rotary and serves at her local elementary school as a study buddy volunteer. She holds a law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree with highest distinction from the University of Kansas.
Terrill Johnson Harris is now co-chair of the Health Law Practice Group. She advises a range of health care providers on regulatory compliance, major transactions and dispute resolution. She has more than thirty years of experience assisting clients in matters of regulatory compliance, strategic planning and risk management. From 2022-2024, she served on the Legal Committee for the nonprofit LeadingAge. She also served as chair of the Board of Trustees of Friends Homes, Inc., from 2017 to 2019. She volunteers with the Women’s Resource Center. She received her law degree from Duke University School of Law and her bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University.
Jason Vogel has joined the firm as a partner. He will practice in the Raleigh office and will be a member of the Intellectual Property Department. Vogel is an international trademark and copyright attorney. He provides counsel to clients on U.S. and international trademark and copyright strategy, clearance, protection, enforcement and transactions. He is experienced in multijurisdictional trademark and copyright registration, enforcement and litigation. He holds a law degree from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music.
Submit an announcement for Checking In.
Where Service Becomes Leadership: Pro Bono in the Lives of Emerging Lawyers
Young Lawyers DivisionThis spring, the YLD Pro Bono Leadership Cohort came together through a meaningful series of pro bono clinics, civic engagement programs and community-building events across North Carolina. Rather than functioning as isolated service opportunities, these experiences collectively reflected a shared commitment to access to justice and helped participants begin to see pro bono service as something deeper than an obligation, an evolving part of professional identity, leadership and how we show up in the legal community.
Throughout the spring, cohort members engaged in hands-on service, collaborative programming, and informal networking that created space not only for legal impact but also for reflection, relationship-building and professional growth.
Read more
2026 Real Property Section Annual Meeting Preview: FIRPTA With Nena Mills
Real PropertyCompliance with the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker; it just requires early attention and the right approach.
In this Annual Meeting preview video, Nena Mills, National Education Director with FIRPTA Solutions, shares what to expect from her upcoming CLE session, “FIRPTA Fun: Nothing Says “Fun” Like Tax Withholding,” and offers insight into how attorneys can approach FIRPTA transactions with greater clarity and confidence.
Join us in Asheville on May 15-16.
Early registration is available at a reduced rate through April 26.
Read more
Take Care of Yourself
Women in the ProfessionA good hairstyle (or cut) is the gateway to a positive self-image. Your self-image is the armor needed to battle the ups and downs in the workplace and in life. At times, what you see in the mirror, your hands, face, legs and other body parts, is shaped by outsider comments that influence how you think, feel and react. In those times, you feel the most vulnerable about your appearance.
Your hair is no exception. You feel pressure to acquiesce to demands from family, friends, and society. “Is that the best color for your hair type?” “You didn’t ask me if you could cut/color/change your hair.” “I’m surprised that you cut your bangs.”
It must be hard for Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry and Jamie Lee Curtis. These ladies exemplified pop culture’s gold standard of the iconic hairstyle: Jennifer’s “The Rachel,” Halle Berry’s pixie cut and Jamie Lee’s senior silver strands. Their immortal faces were stationed on every magazine cover. They were famous because of their hair. They inspired young and old. They inspired me, especially Halle. My first college haircut was straight from Ebony magazine, which featured a photo of Halle. I liked the pixie hairdo, and I thought it would look good on me. I said bye-bye to my shoulder-length hair and hello to stardom. I felt like an Oscar winner. I had to manage expectations from outsiders. I had to manage my internal voice.
Read more
Lost in the Legal Wilderness? This CLE Is Your Survival Guide
Government & Public SectorBudget impasses. Shifting case law. AI tools everyone’s talking about, but no one’s explained. If you’re a government attorney in North Carolina, you know the terrain is getting rougher — and the map keeps changing.
On Friday, May 1, the NCBA Government & Public Sector Section is hosting The Government Lawyer’s Survival Program at the Bar Center in Cary (also available via live webcast). This full‑day course delivers six hours of MCLE credit, including one hour of ethics and one hour of technology training, all built around the real‑world challenges government lawyers are facing right now.
And here’s a survival tip you won’t find in any field manual: at roughly $25 per CLE hour, this might just be the most affordable CLE in North Carolina — a deal so good it deserves its own compass rose.
Read more
The Strategic Paralegal: Elevating Legal Practice with Project Management Tools
Paralegal DivisionHow Experienced Paralegals Can Streamline Procedures to Enhance Their Strategic Value
In today’s legal environment, complexity is the norm. Whether managing multi-party litigation, coordinating real estate closings, or tracking corporate compliance deadlines, experienced paralegals increasingly serve as the backbone of legal execution. Their expertise drives effective legal operations.
Without structured systems in place, even seasoned professionals can find themselves pulled into reactive task management. The difference between simply keeping up and leading strategically often comes down to one factor: the effective use of project management tools.
Read more