Members in Focus highlights NCBA members’ special talents and hobbies. Jim Siemens is currently a Family Law Specialist with Siemens Law Group in Asheville.
https://www.ncbarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/siemens-header.jpg5001140NCBARBLOGhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBARBLOG2016-01-21 10:40:122016-01-21 10:40:12Balance the key to success for NCBA member Jim Siemens
Editor’s note: As we look forward to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and other opportunities to serve, an NCBA member reflects on why service matters.
An undergraduate degree. Three years of law school. The bar exam. Debt, stress, hard work, and strains on our personal lives. We’ve sacrificed a lot and dedicated ourselves to earn the privilege of practicing law. Our pens are more than ink and plastic, our signatures more than markings. We have the trust of society to rewrite the lives of those around us. Our entire profession, in fact, is dependent on society’s trust based on our education, licensing, and code of professional conduct. Our pens, set to paper to draft a motion or sign a pleading, transform into tools of the law, and it’s a transformation that is exclusive to us.
https://www.ncbarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/3adobestock_67374951-handshake.jpg5001140NCBARBLOGhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBARBLOG2016-01-14 15:01:042016-01-14 15:01:04It's Up To Us To Bring the Law To the People
In the gloaming, silhouetted on Norway’s famous Besseggen Ridge, with no trail signs or anyone else in sight, a lone hiker is not sure he is on the trail. He is sure that his knee is acting up, and that he is bone weary. And he has miles to go.
Each time I sit down to write a punctuation column, I find myself second-guessing the topic. Do readers really want to read about commas, or dashes, or apostrophes? Shouldn’t I be able to think of something more stimulating to write about?
But I am always pleasantly surprised at the number of readers who contact me to thank me for these punctuation refreshers and to suggest additional punctuation-related topics. Recently, I received a couple of requests for a column covering the proper use of colons and semicolons, and I am happy to oblige.
https://www.ncbarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/semicolon-header.jpg5001140NCBARBLOGhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBARBLOG2016-01-07 13:46:222016-01-07 13:46:22Putting on ‘Airs and Graces’: The Power of Punctuation To Elevate Your Writing
Learning from the mistakes of others is far better than learning from your own follies. The work of the Mecklenburg County Bar’s Fee Dispute Resolution Committee allows its members to see patterns of conduct which end up in disputes between attorneys and clients. Hopefully, the members use this experience to develop procedures and practices which will help avoid fee disputes. We thought it may be good to share with our associates some of the insights we have learned through our service as members of the Fee Dispute Committee. Read more
https://www.ncbarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fighting-over-money.jpg350835NCBARBLOGhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBARBLOG2016-01-05 14:00:102016-01-05 14:00:10No New Clients In January and Other Tips for Avoiding Fee Disputes
Almost two months ago, I left my job as head of marketing and business development with a large North Carolina law firm to start my own company. Until recently, my interest within the law practice management and technology world had largely been technology, specifically marketing technologies.
Over the course of these last months, my eyes have been opened to the resilience, hard work, and investment of time it takes to get a business up and running.
Welcome to a new year of Administrative Law Section activities and events. My name is Jennifer Morgan, and I am an attorney at Williams Mullen law firm in Raleigh. My practice includes a focus on alcoholic beverage distribution and regulation, as well as a focus on utilities regulation. I am honored and excited to serve as chair of the section for the 2015-2016 year.
“He likes this more than any present I have ever given him.”
So says my wife of 28 years in regard to the Fitbit activity tracker that my staff gave me for Christmas last year. I didn’t know what to make of the Fitbit One when I opened the package because the only Fitbits I had ever seen were of the wristband variety. Fitbit One proved the perfect choice because I can clip it to my pants pocket and track my steps throughout the day.
https://www.ncbarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/fitbit-flex.jpg387570NCBARBLOGhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBARBLOG2015-12-15 15:46:092015-12-15 15:46:09A Gift for Those Who Walk the Extra Mile: A FitBit Review
John Connell just knew he had blown the interview. He was suffering from a cold, on medication, and unusually anxious.
“I felt I rushed it.”
That was nearly 30 years ago when he interviewed for the position of assistant clerk of court at the N.C. Court of Appeals. Not only did he get the job, but seven years later when the clerk’s position became open, he landed that job too.
The affable Connell retired Nov. 1, leaving behind a legacy of service and leadership that will permeate the Court of Appeals for years to come. Always quick with a smile and a self-effacing comeback, he covers his emotions well until the conversation turns to his co-workers.
https://www.ncbarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/urb4mpl6f6kpqhujsxegkwcuwiup8tjlspzarvtfeim.jpg5001140NCBARBLOGhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBARBLOG2015-12-15 15:32:482015-12-15 15:32:48Clerk of Court John Connell Retires From Court of Appeals
Members in focus: Seth A. Blum
Duke University School of Law
Founding Partner of Kurtz & Blum, Raleigh
By Amber Nimocks
For Seth Blum, the works of William Shakespeare offer not just philosophical inspiration but also a means of self-expression, an opportunity for family bonding and a chance to enhance some of the skills he uses in the practice of law. Blum, a founding partner of Kurtz & Blum, is also an actor who frequently brings the Bard’s works to life on the local stage.
He said he doesn’t remember a moment when he decided to pursue involvement in theater, but that he has been acting for as long as he could talk.
https://www.ncbarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ucqymvdhu02hsmnga2xxfaxpet5_hj8htgrofpobjzg.jpg5001140NCBARBLOGhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBARBLOG2015-12-15 15:23:172015-12-15 15:23:17NCBA Member Seth Blum on Being an Actor and an Attorney
Balance the key to success for NCBA member Jim Siemens
Featured Posts, UncategorizedMembers in Focus highlights NCBA members’ special talents and hobbies. Jim Siemens is currently a Family Law Specialist with Siemens Law Group in Asheville.
Read more
It’s Up To Us To Bring the Law To the People
Featured Posts, UncategorizedBy Belal Elrahal
Editor’s note: As we look forward to the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and other opportunities to serve, an NCBA member reflects on why service matters.
An undergraduate degree. Three years of law school. The bar exam. Debt, stress, hard work, and strains on our personal lives. We’ve sacrificed a lot and dedicated ourselves to earn the privilege of practicing law. Our pens are more than ink and plastic, our signatures more than markings. We have the trust of society to rewrite the lives of those around us. Our entire profession, in fact, is dependent on society’s trust based on our education, licensing, and code of professional conduct. Our pens, set to paper to draft a motion or sign a pleading, transform into tools of the law, and it’s a transformation that is exclusive to us.
Read more
NCBA adventurers conquer Norway’s knife-edge trails
Featured Posts, UncategorizedBy NCBA members Vance Barron Jr., Locke Clifford, Barden Cooke, Robert Douglas, Robert McClellan and Jonathan Maxwell
In the gloaming, silhouetted on Norway’s famous Besseggen Ridge, with no trail signs or anyone else in sight, a lone hiker is not sure he is on the trail. He is sure that his knee is acting up, and that he is bone weary. And he has miles to go.
Read more
Putting on ‘Airs and Graces’: The Power of Punctuation To Elevate Your Writing
Featured Posts, UncategorizedBy Laura Graham
Each time I sit down to write a punctuation column, I find myself second-guessing the topic. Do readers really want to read about commas, or dashes, or apostrophes? Shouldn’t I be able to think of something more stimulating to write about?
But I am always pleasantly surprised at the number of readers who contact me to thank me for these punctuation refreshers and to suggest additional punctuation-related topics. Recently, I received a couple of requests for a column covering the proper use of colons and semicolons, and I am happy to oblige.
Read more
No New Clients In January and Other Tips for Avoiding Fee Disputes
Featured Posts, UncategorizedBy Ken Raynor
Learning from the mistakes of others is far better than learning from your own follies. The work of the Mecklenburg County Bar’s Fee Dispute Resolution Committee allows its members to see patterns of conduct which end up in disputes between attorneys and clients. Hopefully, the members use this experience to develop procedures and practices which will help avoid fee disputes. We thought it may be good to share with our associates some of the insights we have learned through our service as members of the Fee Dispute Committee. Read more
The Chair’s Comments
Featured PostsBy Ginny Allen
Over the course of these last months, my eyes have been opened to the resilience, hard work, and investment of time it takes to get a business up and running.
Read more
The Chair’s Comments
UncategorizedBy Jennifer Morgan
Welcome to a new year of Administrative Law Section activities and events. My name is Jennifer Morgan, and I am an attorney at Williams Mullen law firm in Raleigh. My practice includes a focus on alcoholic beverage distribution and regulation, as well as a focus on utilities regulation. I am honored and excited to serve as chair of the section for the 2015-2016 year.
Read more
A Gift for Those Who Walk the Extra Mile: A FitBit Review
Featured PostsRead more
Clerk of Court John Connell Retires From Court of Appeals
Featured PostsBy Russell Rawlings
John Connell just knew he had blown the interview. He was suffering from a cold, on medication, and unusually anxious.
“I felt I rushed it.”
That was nearly 30 years ago when he interviewed for the position of assistant clerk of court at the N.C. Court of Appeals. Not only did he get the job, but seven years later when the clerk’s position became open, he landed that job too.
The affable Connell retired Nov. 1, leaving behind a legacy of service and leadership that will permeate the Court of Appeals for years to come. Always quick with a smile and a self-effacing comeback, he covers his emotions well until the conversation turns to his co-workers.
Read more
NCBA Member Seth Blum on Being an Actor and an Attorney
Featured PostsMembers in focus: Seth A. Blum
Duke University School of Law
Founding Partner of Kurtz & Blum, Raleigh
By Amber Nimocks
For Seth Blum, the works of William Shakespeare offer not just philosophical inspiration but also a means of self-expression, an opportunity for family bonding and a chance to enhance some of the skills he uses in the practice of law. Blum, a founding partner of Kurtz & Blum, is also an actor who frequently brings the Bard’s works to life on the local stage.
He said he doesn’t remember a moment when he decided to pursue involvement in theater, but that he has been acting for as long as he could talk.
Read more