A Note from the Government & Public Sector Section Council Chair!

By Jasmine McGhee

My name is Jasmine McGhee. I’m honored to serve as the Chair of the NCBA’s Government and Public Sector Section this year. The work of the Section is already underway. On October 16, the Section co-sponsored a social event with the Administrative Law Section. If you weren’t able to join us, stay tuned for more membership engagement opportunities.

Our next event is our Joint Legislative CLE on Friday, November 14, again with the Administrative Law Section. You can join us in person or virtually. More information, including topics and speakers, is available online.

Four members sit at a table outside together. They are facing each other, and a brick building is behind them.

The Government & Public Sector Section members held a social on October 16 with members of the Administrative Law Section. Clockwise, from back center, Latoya Caesar-Crawford, Liz Sharpe, Administrative Law Vice-Chair Charla Burill and GraceAnna McCray.

In addition to membership engagement and CLE, this Bar Year, we are looking forward to the work of our Pro Bono, Ethics/Legislative, Professionalism, Communications, and Opportunity, Inclusion & Scholarships Committees. We are always accepting volunteers and ideas for the Section! To get involved in our Section, please send an email to our Communities Manager, LaSara Carter.

A young man with black hair wears a grey sweater and khaki pants. He is standing outside in a buffet line holding a plate of food.

NCBA members Creighton Knight, center, and Tracy Harris, back left, at the social event held on October 16.

In this challenging time for all levels of government, whether you’re in government or private practice, your work as a government attorney is as important as ever. Thank you for all that you do.

Jasmine S. McGhee serves as Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Governor Josh Stein. In that role, her portfolio includes Policy, Boards & Commissions, Intergovernmental Affairs & Outreach, VolunteerNC, and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, she was Senior Deputy Attorney General and Director of the Consumer Protection Division at the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ). Jasmine also established the Department’s Civil Rights Unit. Prior to serving as Senior Deputy, for six years she directed the Department’s Public Protection Section, which handled public safety and victim policy, outreach, and related litigation, including on gender-based violence, criminal justice reform, and consumer protection.

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Shaping Tomorrow: Meet the 2025 Summer Internship Scholarship Recipients

Stacey, a Black woman with black hair and black glasses, wears a black suit and is standing outside.By Stacey Rubain

Over the next coming weeks, the Criminal Justice Blog will feature several outstanding recipients of the NCBA’s 2025 Annual Summer Internship Scholarship. These spotlights will showcase law students passionate about careers in government, public service, and criminal justice, offering an inside look at their Summer 2025 internship experiences. We hope you enjoyed the post spotlighting Liz Sharpe, a 2L at Campbell Law School, and her summer internship experience at the North Carolina Department of Justice. Stay tuned for our next post spotlighting Aleah Wordsworth, a 3L at the University of North Carolina School of Law.

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The Myth of “Local Counsel”

By Jeremy, a white man with brown hair and a beard, wears a white shirt, navy suit and burgundy tie.Jeremy Sugg

A few years ago, I ran into a law school classmate in the courthouse elevator. In discussing where we were headed, I let her know I was on my way to a hearing on a motion to dismiss. She wished me good luck as we reached her floor, and I responded, “Oh, I’m just local counsel,” while smiling in recognition of the stress-free afternoon ahead.

Fast forward one year, after learning a lot more about the underlying facts of the case, I found myself questioning whether I had satisfied my professional obligations in permitting my signature to appear on the initial pleading. To say the least, it was no longer a stress-free endeavor.

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Pro Bono Spotlight: Nicholas Lee

Nicholas, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, yellow tie and black suit.

Nicholas Lee

By Laura Merriman

Nicholas Lee, a Litigation Partner at Parker Poe, handles mainly complex business litigation in federal and state court. He has worked on various pro bono projects over the years, including wills clinics and Guardian Ad Litem appeals. However, over the past decade, his primary focus has been helping North Carolinians get a second chance by clearing their criminal records through expunctions.

Nicholas has handled dozens of expunctions over the past ten years. Expunctions help low-income individuals by removing old or dismissed criminal charges or convictions from their records. It offers individuals a clean slate and removes barriers to employment, housing, and other benefits.

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2025 Summer Internship Scholarship Recipient Spotlight Series: Meet Liz Sharpe

Stacey, a Black woman with black hair and black glasses, wears a black suit and is standing outside.By Stacey Rubain

Elizabeth “Liz” Sharpe is a second-year law student at Campbell Law School in Raleigh. Liz has long believed in the power of government to make a difference. Her commitment to public service runs deep—it’s rooted in a lifelong desire to help others and strengthened by her early professional experiences.

After earning her degree from Meredith College, Liz began her career at the North Carolina General Assembly as a Legislative Assistant, where she worked on public policy and constituent services.  The experience not only deepened her understanding of how law and governance intersect but also showed her firsthand how fair and effective government can improve the lives of everyday citizens.

Elizabeth, a white woman with short brown hair and clear glasses, wears a pale blue and white striped button-down shirt.

Elizabeth Sharpe

Motivated by a desire to make a meaningful impact in her community, Liz spent the summer of 2025 interning at the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) in the Special Litigation Section. There, she conducted legal research across a range of complex issues and contributed to drafting a section of a criminal appellate brief — a project she calls one of her most meaningful experiences. Her supervising attorneys encouraged her to take ownership of the argument’s development and structure and to think critically, helping her strengthen her legal writing and analytical skills while exploring new areas of law.

Liz found her experience at the NCDOJ deeply rewarding. Working alongside talented and experienced attorneys who dedicate their careers to public service reinforced her own commitment to pursuing justice through the law. As the first in her family to enter the legal profession, Liz valued the opportunity to learn from dedicated public servants and gain insight into meaningful legal careers in government. Her internship further solidified her goal of working in public service, and she encourages other law students interested in this path to seek out similar opportunities—especially at the NCDOJ.

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MIP Committee Begins Employer Outreach for 1L SAP 2026

Sa'metria is a Black woman with black hair. She is wearing a white blouse and is seated in a library with an open book. By Sa’Metria Jones

The North Carolina Bar Association’s Minorities in the Profession (MIP) Committee hosts an annual 1L Summer Associate Program (1L SAP) that offers corporate offices and law firms an opportunity to recruit for summer internships from a candidate pool of some of the most talented students. 1L SAP candidates are well-rounded students with outstanding academic credentials and a demonstrable ability to enhance employers’ commitment to diversity, inclusion and excellence.

Members of the MIP 1L SAP subcommittee are working diligently to increase employer participation and offer students more opportunities for a summer placement. We are currently seeking employers from all sectors who can support a 1L intern for either a half-summer or full-summer position in 2026. Opportunities can include placements in law firms (large or small), in-house legal departments, public interest organizations or other legal settings. If your firm or company is interested in participating in 1L SAP 2026, please contact BreAnne Shieh.

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District 18’s Justice Is Blind Clerkship Opens Eyes and Minds

Aaliyah, a Black woman with auburn and brown hair, wears a white blouse and black suit.By Aaliyah LeCompte

This past summer, I had the opportunity to work with the judges of District 18 in a program led by Judge Scarlett and Judge Pendergrass called “Justice is Blind.” Over the course of the program, I observed many district court proceedings, spent time breaking down statutes, conducted legal research on upcoming and current cases, practiced oral advocacy and engaged in thoughtful discussions about injustice in the legal system.

Before starting the clerkship, I was assigned books, podcasts, and even a movie about different historical injustices. These materials helped to frame the issues for me. They also served as a foundation for challenging lunchtime conversations and for open-minded observation of court proceedings throughout the summer. I learned that, while each judge has a unique way of presiding over a courtroom and doing the hard work of understanding the nuances of the law, each judge must also grapple with the nuances of systemic issues. Throughout the internship, my fellow clerk and I practiced oral advocacy by arguing hypothetical cases. We would work on the structure before each practice and receive feedback afterward. At the end of the internship, we each chose an old DWI case to give a closing argument to one of the judges. At this point, we were well versed in the evidentiary requirements needed to meet the standards set forth in N.C.G.S. § 20-138.1. The challenging part was arguing before the judge, as well as other observers, which included several other judges, attorneys and others. After I finished and could breathe again, I received better feedback than I had expected. I felt proud to do something I had not even imagined would be possible just a few months before.

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Introducing the YLD’s DEI Committee

Taylor, a Black woman with black hair, wears a blue and white blouse and black jacket.Tia, a Black woman with black hair, wears a white blousea nd black jacket.By Taylor Gibbs and Tia Overway

Greetings, everyone!

We are excited to introduce ourselves as the new co-chairs of the YLD’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee. I am Taylor Gibbs, a second-year associate at Blanco Tackabery in Winston-Salem and a 2024 graduate of Wake Forest University School of Law. Alongside me as co-chair is Tia Overway, a third-year associate at Poyner Spruill in Raleigh and a 2023 graduate of Campbell University School of Law.

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Recovering Costs and Attorney Fees From the IRS: The Qualified Offer Rules

Brian, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, navy suit and gold tie.By Brian C. Bernhardt

The Qualified Offer rules are part of the broader framework for resolving federal tax disputes. As a general rule, taxpayers who prevail in disputes with the IRS may recover reasonable administrative and litigation costs (“Fees and Costs”) only if the IRS’s position was not substantially justified. However, the Qualified Offer rules create a safe harbor: If a taxpayer makes a Qualified Offer to settle a dispute with the IRS, the IRS rejects it, and the taxpayer later obtains a better result in court, the Tax Court will automatically treat the IRS position as not substantially justified, making it easier for taxpayers to recover their Fees and Costs.

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Checking In: October 28, 2025

Compiled by Jessica Junqueira

Carruthers & Roth, P.A. Adds Two New Associates

Gaaron, a man with black hair, wears a white shirt, pale blue tie and grey suit. Gaaron U. Goldsmith will practice on the Commercial Real Estate team and will be involved in helping clients in matters such as the purchase, sale, development, and leasing of property. Goldsmith previously was a clerk with a local firm whose focus was construction, insurance and banking. He was a clerk to a North Carolina Superior Court Judge in Wake County. He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2025. While in law school, he was recognized as a Dean’s Fellow, served as a mentor to first-year law students and was a staff member of the North Carolina Journal of International Law. Goldsmith earned his bachelor’s degree with distinction from the University of North Carolina.

Troy, a white man with black hair, wears a white shirt, black tie and black suit.Troy Reid has joined the firm’s Litigation team, where he will assist clients with commercial and business litigation, employment, construction disputes, estate disputes and other litigation matters. Reid previously was a summer litigation clerk with Carruthers & Roth. Reid received his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 2025. There, he served as chair on the Dean’s Advisory Council and as president of the Carolina Law Ambassadors, and he participated in the Pro Bono Program. He holds a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University, where he graduated summa cum laude. Reid earned a North Carolina Real Estate License and is a licensed private pilot.

Poyner Spruill Selects Managing Partner

Chad, a white man with grey hair, wears a white shirt, gold tie and dark grey jacket.Chad Essick was elected to serve as the next managing partner of Poyner Spruill. Essick succeeded Dan Cahill, who is also an NCBA member. Cahill served as the firm’s managing partner since 2017. Essick represents clients in real estate acquisition and development. His primary focus is land use, zoning and entitlements. He represents land owners and developers before local Boards of Adjustment, Planning Commissions, City Councils and County Commissioners on matters including zoning, permitting, variances, annexations, special use permits, site plans and more. Essick previously served as chair of the NCBA Zoning, Planning & Land Use Section (2019-2020). He holds a law degree from Campbell Law School and a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from North Carolina State University.

Smith Debnam Announces New Attorney

Caroline, a white woman with blond hair, wears a white button down shirt and black blazer.A. Caroline Austin has joined the firm, where she will practice with the Divorce and Family Law practice group. Austin represents clients in issues such as equitable distribution, child custody and support, domestic violence protective orders and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. She holds a law degree from Campbell School of Law; there, she was a Dean’s Excellence Scholar. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology, cum laude, from the University of Alabama.

 

Two Attorneys Join Young Moore

Lukas, a white man with brown hair and glasses, wears a white shirt, burgundy tie and black jacket.Lukas Epps-Dawson has joined the firm, where he focuses his practice on civil litigation and insurance law. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a clerk to Judge Julee T. Flood at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He received his law degree magna cum laude from Campbell Law School in 2024. While in law school, he was a Bluebook Editor on the Campbell Law Review. Prior to going to law school, he received a bachelor’s degree in English and government from Hampden-Sydney College.

Kathrynn, a white woman with brown hair, wears a blue blouse and black jacket.Kathrynn D. Johnston has joined the firm. Her practice is focused on trusts and estates, tax planning, business law and related matters. She graduated magna cum laude from Campbell Law School in 2025, where she served as Publication Editor for Campbell Law Review and on the boards of several student organizations, including Women in Law. She received a master’s degree in intercultural studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana Christian University.

 

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