Checking In: March 24, 2026

Compiled by Jessica Junqueira

Smith Debnam Selects Partner

Melissa, a white woman with blond hair, wears a white blouse and black jacket.Melissa Tulis Smith is now a partner with the firm. Smith has been a part of the firm’s Consumer Collections practice group since 2020. Prior to joining the firm, she gained experience in civil litigation with a focus on property, construction and landlord-tenant disputes. Smith, who is originally from Raleigh, received her undergraduate degree in philosophy and romance languages from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She graduated from Campbell Law School. Smith serves as the 2025-2026 chair of the NCBA Litigation Section and as the Membership Committee Chair for the North Carolina Creditors Bar Association. She is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

 

 

Tuggle Duggins Welcomes New Associate

Josh, a white man with a shaved head and a brown beard, wears a white button-down shirt.Joshua Plummer is now an associate attorney with Tuggle Duggins. He is a member of the Commercial Real Estate practice with the firm. Plummer graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2023. While in law school, he was a teaching assistant, research assistant and participant in the Veteran’s Legal Clinic. Prior to going to law school, Plummer served in the United States Marine Corps. He retired as a major in 2019. Before joining Tuggle Duggins P.A., he practiced law in Winston-Salem. He holds his undergraduate degree from Purdue University, where he graduated with distinction and was a member of the naval ROTC.

 

 

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Bridging Perspectives: Building Skills, Communities and Connection — 2026 Program in Review

Sean, a white man with brown hair and clear glasses, wears a blue shirt and grey jacket. By Sean P. Vitrano

This year’s Dispute Resolution Section program brought together mediators and attorneys from across North Carolina for a full day of practical learning, fellowship, and dialogue.

Early arrivals enjoyed a networking reception at Barcelona Wine Bar in downtown Raleigh hosted by the Section Council and Executive Committee. These events are wonderful opportunities to reconnect with old friends, to meet mentors in the profession and to share our experiences of helping our clients navigate conflict. The conversations are often heartfelt and transformative. If you’ve never been, you really should come sometime.

Our day of learning began with NCDRC Executive Director Tara Kozlowski and Commissioners David Niblock and Robin Stinson. Not only were we reminded of our professional and ethical obligations as certified mediators in a variety of not-so-hypothetical situations, but also, David shared his musical talents by performing an original song.

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Practice Innovation: The North Carolina Supreme Court’s New Commission

Zachary, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, pale blue tie with white stripes, and blue suit. By Zachary Westmoreland

I.  Introduction

Access to legal services remains one of the most persistent challenges facing the American legal system. Across the country, courts, regulators and policymakers are examining new ways to deliver legal services to individuals who cannot afford traditional representation. One of the increasingly discussed approaches involves allowing trained paraprofessionals and paralegals to provide limited legal services within defined regulatory frameworks.

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Modular Construction in North Carolina

Lilly, a white woman with straight auburn hair and brown glasses, wears a white blouse and black jacket.By Lilly Heckman

The use of the modular construction method is on the rise with both commercial and residential builders in North Carolina. Benefitting contractors and owners alike, modular building allows for faster timelines and more predictable costs. Contractors across the state are utilizing modular building for all types of new builds, from healthcare and education facilities to hospitality and industrial structures. As the state continues to experience robust growth in its population and economy, North Carolina’s infrastructure must keep up, and modular building may play a key role.

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Why Being Together Matters: Reflections on the NCBA Real Property Section Annual Meeting and Scholarship Opportunities to Attend

Mary, a white woman with brown hair, wears a brown and white button down blouse and a brown jacket.By Sarah Dorr and Mary Gallimore Walker

Each year, the North Carolina Bar Association Real Property Section’s Annual Meeting brings attorneys from across our State together for learning and connection. While the CLE content is always helpful, many attorneys say the true value of the Annual Meeting comes from being there in person. The conversations between sessions, the relationships built over meals and the opportunity to engage directly with colleagues who understand our work and practice make the experience especially meaningful.

Recognizing that cost can be a barrier to in-person attendance, the Real Property Section is introducing scholarships to attend the Annual Meeting, making the experience more accessible. The reflections below highlight the value of being together at the Annual Meeting and the Section’s commitment to encouraging broader participation.

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Title, Trusts, Transfers and Terrorists: Legislation That Could Affect Your Practice

Nancy, a white woman with light brown hair and brown round glasses, wears a black turtleneck and red plaid blazer. By Nancy Short Ferguson

Attorneys in substantially all practice areas handle or review deeds, leases and contracts or clients in distress about matters (family law, trespassers, condemnations, estates, etc.) involving real estate from time to time. The 2025-2026 Legislative Session (still in process) has much to consider.

See program recording from Return to the Vault (March 4, 2026), “What’s New, What’s Next:  NC Legislation Every Real Estate Attorney Should Know” and related PowerPoint slides for details, legislation, and resources.

To access the recording, navigate to this link, log in to your NCBA account and click the + next to “RTTV Series.” Then click on “What’s New, What’s Next, NC Legislation Every Real Estate Attorney Should Know 3.4.26.”

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Paralegal Spotlight: LJ Frederick

By Lakisha Chichester

LJ, a Black woman with black hair, wears a blue button-down blouse and silver jewelry.Lajon E. Frederick (“LJ”) is a North Carolina Certified Paralegal at Fresh Start Family Law. LJ has an undeniable passion for family law and client support. When LJ reflects on her decades-long paralegal career, she does not describe it in terms of titles or positions. Instead, she talks about the families she has helped, the people she has supported through difficult moments and the importance of working in environments that align with her values and her approach to client care.

Building Skills from the Ground Up

LJ began her legal career in 1996 as a receptionist at the Law Offices of Mark E. Sullivan, P.A. It wasn’t long before the front desk became a stepping stone to broader legal work. LJ quickly moved from receptionist to legal secretary, then to legal assistant, and before long was performing paralegal tasks at the firm. During those early years, LJ learned everything from dictation to drafting pleadings. The experience shaped more than her technical skills. She learned to pay close attention to detail, to value structured process and to think through the work in step with the attorneys she supported. She credits this early exposure to foundational, “old-school” training with developing and sharpening skills that have served her well throughout her career.

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Get to Know WIP Members Kristy Sides and Kasey McCalla

Kristy, a woman with golden brown shoulder-length hair, wears a purple blouse, navy blazer and white beaded necklace.

Kristy Sides

Kasey, a white woman with shoulder length brown hair, weras a blue blouse and black jacket.

Kasey McCalla

By Kristy Sides and Kasey McCalla

This month, we are excited to introduce two WIP members: Kristy Sides and Kasey McCalla!

Kristy Meares Sides

What law school did you attend, and what was your graduation year?

Wake Forest University School of Law, 2004.

Describe what a typical workday is like for you.

I am an attorney who deals with estate planning, estate administration and fiduciary matters. As a small firm partner, a good deal of my time is also spent managing the firm.

Describe what you like to do outside of work.

Act as a tour guide to two teen-aged daughters on trips large and small and scope out great hikes, live music events and porches for sitting and visiting.

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Congratulations to Deputy Commissioner Wanda Blanche Taylor

Kyla, a white woman with brown hair, wears a black blouse with white stripes and a black blazer.By Kyla K. Block

Hello Section Members!

I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful weather and all the daffodils blooming. While this is old news now, congratulations are in order for Commissioner Wanda Blanche Taylor, who has been reappointed to the Full Commission of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. She will serve a six-year term as a Commissioner beginning July 1, 2026, following confirmation by the North Carolina General Assembly. As you all know, Commissioner Taylor has a wide breadth of experience, including twenty years as a Deputy Commissioner at the Industrial Commission, with a portion of that time spent serving as Chief Deputy Commissioner. In addition, prior to serving on the Full Commission for her first term, she was the Director of Litigation/Counsel at Key Risk Insurance (a Berkley Company). The Workers Compensation Section is fortunate to have her knowledge and experience at the Commission.

Commissioner Taylor received her law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law and her undergraduate degree from Duke University. Controversial question, but which sports team does she root for? Given the ferocity of the fan base in this state, she’s probably better off keeping that to herself.

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Commit to Crafting Yourself as a Top-Shelf Brand of Professionalism

Amy, a white woman with brown hair, wears a white blouse and blue blazer. By Amy H. Wooten

“Professionalism.” It’s not a complicated nor hard-to-understand word or concept. At times, being professional is second nature, particularly when those around us exhibit professionalism. When emails are courteous, deadlines are respected, conversations — while sounding in advocacy — are appropriately measured and poignant disagreements remain civil, being professional can feel like the default setting we are called upon to honor in our profession. Unfortunately, this is often not the environment in which our commitment to professionalism is tested. It is when emails belittle and insult, and deadlines are ignored (or are unjustly extended), causing chaos for our professional and personal schedules, conversations are strained and even minor disagreements mushroom into blowups — these are the times when the call to be professional is often taxed. When a co-counsel cuts corners or takes credit that is not theirs; when a client lashes out in frustration; when a judge’s patience wears thin; or when we find ourselves treated in a way that feels disrespectful, unfair or deliberately provocative, those are the moments where many of us must dig deep to ensure professionalism is more than aspirational for us and is instead a core component of who we are.

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