All the divorce laws are still wrong. Nothing has changed in the past 30 days since my last blog post on child support. To be clear, the bonus and commission rules aren’t the only things wrong with child support. More to come on that in later posts.
I’m throwing out softballs to start. Please realize, too, that I’m purposefully taking an extreme approach. The things I write may, or may not, be my position if you see me in court or in mediation. Instead, these examples are meant to point out black holes in how things operate within our family law world.
House Bill 489 is the annual package of regulatory reform changes to the North Carolina State Building Code supported by the N.C. Home Builders Association. This bill includes changes regarding criminal background checks, continuing education courses, and erosion control plan permits, among others.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Constructionhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngConstruction2021-09-23 11:11:342021-09-24 09:55:39Important Changes in New House Bills Affecting Your Construction Clients and Practice
The Minorities in the Profession Committee (MIP) has launched another exciting year as one of the most active committees in the North Carolina Bar Association. While we continue to adjust to the unique demands of the pandemic, we remain committed to our mission of eliminating discrimination and institutional racism in the legal profession and promoting increased diversity, equity, and inclusion overall. Below are our goals for the 2021-2022 bar year, information on our upcoming social, and a special welcome to our newest committee members!
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00NCBA MIPhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngNCBA MIP2021-09-22 13:43:392021-09-22 16:27:15Minorities in the Profession Committee Launches Another Exciting Bar Year
The NCBA Professional Vitality Committee creates sourced articles centered on reducing inherent stress and enhancing vitality in the lives of legal professionals and offers those resources as a benefit for members of the North Carolina Bar Association.
In the morning, immediately upon waking, my mind screaming at me: “Get up. Get out of bed. You can do it. You can do this. Get up.” Not exactly high motivation. But I would indeed get up and sit in front of my computer, alone, in my apartment, drinking my first cup of coffee. I still had a small number of paying clients and an appellate brief due date looming. Even though writing it felt like pushing a rock up Mount Everest, I wrote.
It was the fall of 2019. I had relocated from Ohio to North Carolina in 2017 thinking that I could find work and seamlessly transition from a solo practice in Northeast Ohio to W-2 employment in Western North Carolina. After all, I am a seasoned litigator. My skills are easily transferrable, right? Um, maybe not. My income plummeted. I felt frightened and alone. Little did I know then that there was a much greater challenge lurking right around the corner: COVID-19.
Law Firm Carolinas: New Shareholder, Partners, Offices and Lawyers
Harmony Taylor
Law Firm Carolinas announces the following changes: Harmony Taylor, who is in the Charlotte office and practices community association (HOA and condo) law and civil litigation, has been named a Shareholder.
Three attorneys have been named Partners: Joe Thompson, who practices residential and commercial real estate, and David Wilson, who practices North and South Carolina community association law, both from the Charlotte office; and Jon Raymer, who practices commercial and residential real estate, from the Greensboro office.
Joe Thompson
David Wilson
Jon Raymer
There have also been several recent additions to the firm: Nancy Guyton and Hunt Harris have joined the Wilmington office. Nancy Guyton is a Board-Certified Specialist in Residential and Commercial Real Property law and practices residential and commercial real estate as well as community association law. Hunt Harris practices residential real estate, community association law and civil litigation. Will Rankin has joined the Raleigh office and practices residential and commercial real estate and community association law.
Nancy Guyton
Hunt Harris
Will Rankin
Andrew Brower and Jonathon Woodruff have joined the Greensboro office. Jonathon Woodruff practices community association law and HOA/condo assessment collections. Andrew Brower heads the firm’s Estate Planning & Administration Department (wills, trusts, probate and guardianships).
Hi, I’m Erika, and I failed the July 2020 bar exam.
With results coming any day now, I felt compelled to share my story and a few pearls of wisdom. While the July pass rate usually means that more people are more likely to pass than not, there are always a few people who are not successful. If you are reading this and you have found yourself in that unfortunate group, this post is for you.
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 YLD2021-09-13 15:45:362021-09-13 15:45:36So, You Failed the Bar Exam: A Few Tips on How to Succeed the Next Time Around
The tidal wave of COVID-19 cases was not the only challenge faced in 2021. Blown away by the marked increase in ransomware attacks, both public and private sectors prioritized consumer privacy and data security. Light as rain, the privacy legislation emphasizing consumer choices and business obligations to defend against emerging cybersecurity threats trickled in, while Virginia and Colorado stormed in, passing comprehensive, state-level privacy laws. This whirlwind of legislation with a forecast of more to come, makes it important for all practitioners advising on privacy and data security matters to understand the storm surge of risks created during the 2021 privacy landscape shift.
The SolarWinds of Change 2021 Privacy and Data Security CLE program will update attendees on recent developments in privacy legislation, address ethical considerations in an era of emerging challenges and technology, take artificial intelligence by storm, and provide practical legal guidance on navigating vendor contracting issues based on lessons learned from the SolarWinds incident.
The program will provide 6.0 hours of CLE (including an ethics/professional responsibility hour and technology training hour) and is planned for both in-person and live webcast options. The full agenda and registration details can be found by clicking here.
Mark your calendars for Windsday . . . no, Thursday, October 28, 2021.
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 Security2021-09-13 15:41:372021-09-13 15:41:37Do Not Get Caught in the SolarWinds of Change!
The North Carolina Bar Association Elder and Special Needs Law Section (NCBA-EL) recognizes that, although the public perceives lawyers to be among the most affluent members of society, in fact, many attorneys struggle to make ends meet, need to pay off large amounts of law school debt, or sometimes suffer from economic hardship due to the poor job market, disabilities or other factors. The NCBA-EL wants membership in, and services from, the NCBA-EL to be available to attorneys regardless of their ability to pay. We understand that one of the greatest services available for members is the high quality continuing legal education sponsored by the NCBA. As a result, the NCBA-EL has established a Scholarship program for CLE program tuition for the 2021 Basics of Elder and Special Needs Law Program, being held In-Person Live and by Live Webcast on Friday, October 22, 2021. You can find more information on the program here.
At its July 2021 meeting, the State Bar Council approved a new aspirational provision in the Preamble to the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, stating that a lawyer should treat all persons encountered in a professional capacity equally, courteously, respectfully, and with dignity, regardless of personal identifying characteristics. The proposed amendment will be sent to the North Carolina Supreme Court for potential adoption.
YLD e-Blast: September 2021
Young Lawyers DivisionClaire O’Brien
Michael Cohen
By Claire O’Brien and Michael Cohen
DATES TO KNOW
September 30 | Panel Discussion: “Finding that First Job and Setting Yourself Up for Success” | noon to 1 p.m.
October 6 | Construction/YLD Lunch & Learn | noon to 1 p.m.
October 7 | Planning Ahead Leads to Success: An Overview of Becoming a Lawyer in NC | noon
October 28 | Minorities in the Profession Committee Virtual Diverse Attorney/Student Networking Social | 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Read more
All the Laws are Wrong – Legal Custody Edition
Family Law SectionAll the divorce laws are still wrong. Nothing has changed in the past 30 days since my last blog post on child support. To be clear, the bonus and commission rules aren’t the only things wrong with child support. More to come on that in later posts.
I’m throwing out softballs to start. Please realize, too, that I’m purposefully taking an extreme approach. The things I write may, or may not, be my position if you see me in court or in mediation. Instead, these examples are meant to point out black holes in how things operate within our family law world.
Read more
Important Changes in New House Bills Affecting Your Construction Clients and Practice
Construction Law SectionHouse Bill 489
House Bill 489 is the annual package of regulatory reform changes to the North Carolina State Building Code supported by the N.C. Home Builders Association. This bill includes changes regarding criminal background checks, continuing education courses, and erosion control plan permits, among others.
Read more
Minorities in the Profession Committee Launches Another Exciting Bar Year
Minorities In the ProfessionJane Paksoy
LaToya Powell
By Jane Paksoy and LaToya Powell
The Minorities in the Profession Committee (MIP) has launched another exciting year as one of the most active committees in the North Carolina Bar Association. While we continue to adjust to the unique demands of the pandemic, we remain committed to our mission of eliminating discrimination and institutional racism in the legal profession and promoting increased diversity, equity, and inclusion overall. Below are our goals for the 2021-2022 bar year, information on our upcoming social, and a special welcome to our newest committee members!
Read more
Isolation
Featured PostsThe NCBA Professional Vitality Committee creates sourced articles centered on reducing inherent stress and enhancing vitality in the lives of legal professionals and offers those resources as a benefit for members of the North Carolina Bar Association.
By Michele Morris
In the morning, immediately upon waking, my mind screaming at me: “Get up. Get out of bed. You can do it. You can do this. Get up.” Not exactly high motivation. But I would indeed get up and sit in front of my computer, alone, in my apartment, drinking my first cup of coffee. I still had a small number of paying clients and an appellate brief due date looming. Even though writing it felt like pushing a rock up Mount Everest, I wrote.
It was the fall of 2019. I had relocated from Ohio to North Carolina in 2017 thinking that I could find work and seamlessly transition from a solo practice in Northeast Ohio to W-2 employment in Western North Carolina. After all, I am a seasoned litigator. My skills are easily transferrable, right? Um, maybe not. My income plummeted. I felt frightened and alone. Little did I know then that there was a much greater challenge lurking right around the corner: COVID-19.
Read more
Checking In: September 14, 2021
Checking InLaw Firm Carolinas: New Shareholder, Partners, Offices and Lawyers
Harmony Taylor
Law Firm Carolinas announces the following changes: Harmony Taylor, who is in the Charlotte office and practices community association (HOA and condo) law and civil litigation, has been named a Shareholder.
Three attorneys have been named Partners: Joe Thompson, who practices residential and commercial real estate, and David Wilson, who practices North and South Carolina community association law, both from the Charlotte office; and Jon Raymer, who practices commercial and residential real estate, from the Greensboro office.
Joe Thompson
David Wilson
Jon Raymer
There have also been several recent additions to the firm: Nancy Guyton and Hunt Harris have joined the Wilmington office. Nancy Guyton is a Board-Certified Specialist in Residential and Commercial Real Property law and practices residential and commercial real estate as well as community association law. Hunt Harris practices residential real estate, community association law and civil litigation. Will Rankin has joined the Raleigh office and practices residential and commercial real estate and community association law.
Nancy Guyton
Hunt Harris
Will Rankin
Andrew Brower and Jonathon Woodruff have joined the Greensboro office. Jonathon Woodruff practices community association law and HOA/condo assessment collections. Andrew Brower heads the firm’s Estate Planning & Administration Department (wills, trusts, probate and guardianships).
Andrew Brower
Jonathon Woodruff
Read more
So, You Failed the Bar Exam: A Few Tips on How to Succeed the Next Time Around
Young Lawyers DivisionHi, I’m Erika, and I failed the July 2020 bar exam.
With results coming any day now, I felt compelled to share my story and a few pearls of wisdom. While the July pass rate usually means that more people are more likely to pass than not, there are always a few people who are not successful. If you are reading this and you have found yourself in that unfortunate group, this post is for you.
Read more
Do Not Get Caught in the SolarWinds of Change!
Privacy and Data SecurityJoin us as we breeze through the 2021 Privacy and Data Security CLE on October 28, 2021.
The tidal wave of COVID-19 cases was not the only challenge faced in 2021. Blown away by the marked increase in ransomware attacks, both public and private sectors prioritized consumer privacy and data security. Light as rain, the privacy legislation emphasizing consumer choices and business obligations to defend against emerging cybersecurity threats trickled in, while Virginia and Colorado stormed in, passing comprehensive, state-level privacy laws. This whirlwind of legislation with a forecast of more to come, makes it important for all practitioners advising on privacy and data security matters to understand the storm surge of risks created during the 2021 privacy landscape shift.
The SolarWinds of Change 2021 Privacy and Data Security CLE program will update attendees on recent developments in privacy legislation, address ethical considerations in an era of emerging challenges and technology, take artificial intelligence by storm, and provide practical legal guidance on navigating vendor contracting issues based on lessons learned from the SolarWinds incident.
The program will provide 6.0 hours of CLE (including an ethics/professional responsibility hour and technology training hour) and is planned for both in-person and live webcast options. The full agenda and registration details can be found by clicking here.
Mark your calendars for Windsday . . . no, Thursday, October 28, 2021.
2021-2022 CLE Scholarship Program
Elder & Special Needs LawBy
Shirley Diefenbach
The North Carolina Bar Association Elder and Special Needs Law Section (NCBA-EL) recognizes that, although the public perceives lawyers to be among the most affluent members of society, in fact, many attorneys struggle to make ends meet, need to pay off large amounts of law school debt, or sometimes suffer from economic hardship due to the poor job market, disabilities or other factors. The NCBA-EL wants membership in, and services from, the NCBA-EL to be available to attorneys regardless of their ability to pay. We understand that one of the greatest services available for members is the high quality continuing legal education sponsored by the NCBA. As a result, the NCBA-EL has established a Scholarship program for CLE program tuition for the 2021 Basics of Elder and Special Needs Law Program, being held In-Person Live and by Live Webcast on Friday, October 22, 2021. You can find more information on the program here.
Read more
Litigation Section Council Ethics Update
Litigation SectionAt its July 2021 meeting, the State Bar Council approved a new aspirational provision in the Preamble to the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct, stating that a lawyer should treat all persons encountered in a professional capacity equally, courteously, respectfully, and with dignity, regardless of personal identifying characteristics. The proposed amendment will be sent to the North Carolina Supreme Court for potential adoption.
Read more