Legislature Delays Enactment of 160D and Enacts Rules for Remote Meetings During State of Emergency
S.L. 2020-3, SB704 was passed by the House and Senate on May 2 and signed into law by the governor on May 4. It contains the following of interest to ZPLU…
Disproportionate Minority Contact in North Carolina
In June 2019, Disproportionate Minority Contact in North Carolina: An Assessment Study by Stan Orchowsky, Ph.D., Cambiare Consulting and Michael J. Leiber,…
Contested Case Petition Filing Time
On May 8, 2020, Julian Mann, Chief Administrative Law Judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings, issued an order regarding the timeliness of contested…
COVID-19 Update
Formed by Chief Justice Beasley, the COVID-19 Judicial Task Force (Task Force) comprised of members of our judiciary, other court officials, and members of…
Case Law Update: DVPO
Quackenbush v. Groat, COA19-415, decided May 5, 2020 (DVPO) Plaintiff filed a complaint for domestic violence protective order, to which she attached 12 pages…
Case Law Update: Custody Modification
Padilla v. Whitley de Padilla, COA19-478, decided May 5, 2020 (Custody Modification) The parties’ original custody order was entered in 2016 and granted…
Case Law Update: Equitable Distribution
Best v. Staton, COA19-638, May 5, 2020 Prior to the parties’ separation, Wife filed a complaint for divorce from bed and board and equitable distribution.…
New Office! Wedding Venue! Say What?
Recently, Smith Debnam introduced attorney Liz Blackwell, who joined Smith Debnam alumnus and “rejoinder,” Ron Jones, in the newly staked out Charleston,…
2019-2020 ABA YLD Scholars: A Year in Review
Each year the American Bar Association (ABA) invites young lawyers from throughout the nation to apply for the highly competitive and highly coveted Young…
Prioritize Preparedness: Hurricane Season Preparation During a Pandemic
This week is Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 3-9), and although COVID-19 is dominating our news channels and conversations, we should not let it overshadow…