As the 2025-2026 bar year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on our theme: Elevating Excellence Through Education, Empowerment, and Service. This theme was more than just a slogan; it was a guiding principle for the work of the NCBA Paralegal Division throughout the year.

Excellence is not something that simply happens. It is a decision we make every day in the way we serve our profession and interact with our colleagues, attorneys, clients, and communities. It is found in the late nights preparing for trial, the last-minute closing package, the attention to detail that no one else may ever notice, and the professionalism we bring to challenging situations. It is also reflected in our willingness to continue learning, growing, and adapting throughout our careers.

This year, our Division worked intentionally to elevate excellence by focusing on three strategic priorities: deepening member engagement and connection; building resilience and future-ready innovation; and upholding trust and leadership.

Deepening Member Engagement and Connection

One of our primary goals was creating meaningful opportunities for members to connect, collaborate and engage with one another, regardless of geography, practice area or years of experience.

We began the year at our leadership retreat in Wilmington, where Council members gathered for strategic planning, leadership development and a service project supporting the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s Lawyers for Literacy program. Together, the Council assembled 200 pencil pouches with motivational items for students, demonstrating that service remains at the heart of who we are as legal professionals.

Throughout the year, the Division hosted networking opportunities, social events, roundtable discussions and a virtual town hall designed to foster dialogue and strengthen relationships among paralegals across North Carolina. We also expanded communication efforts through blog publications, member spotlights, social media outreach and the NCBA Community platform. These initiatives not only highlighted the accomplishments of our members but also reinforced the value of Division membership and professional engagement.

Just as importantly, we listened. Through surveys, town hall discussions and direct member outreach, we sought feedback to better understand the needs of today’s paralegals and ensure that our programming remains relevant and impactful.

Building Resilience and Future-Ready Innovation

The legal profession continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and our Division remains committed to helping paralegals navigate change while preparing for the future.

This year, we offered a diverse range of educational and professional development opportunities, including our annual Family Law CPE, roundtable discussions, a new professionalism CPE, a Power Hour focused on communication, our Annual CPE centered on artificial intelligence and our Annual Meeting keynote presentation addressing mental wellness in an increasingly digital world.

These programs reflected our belief that professional excellence requires more than substantive legal knowledge alone. Today’s paralegals must also develop leadership skills, communication abilities, technological competence, adaptability and resilience. Through educational programming, publications, and discussions, we encouraged members to embrace innovation while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and service.

We are particularly proud that the Division’s blogs continue to rank among the most-read content published by the NCBA, demonstrating both the quality of the information being shared and the appetite for practical, relevant resources within our profession.

Upholding Trust and Leadership

Strong organizations require strong leadership, and this year the Division took steps to strengthen its foundation for the future.

We accomplished a comprehensive review and modernization of the Division’s bylaws. These revisions clarified membership categories, strengthened governance provisions, modernized leadership structures, and aligned the bylaws with current NCBA requirements and Division operations. Following extensive review and discussion, the amendments were unanimously approved by Division members and submitted to the NCBA Governance Committee for final consideration.

We also continued our tradition of recognizing excellence through the Distinguished Paralegal Award and Student Scholarship Award, celebrating paralegals and students who exemplify the highest ideals of our profession. In addition, the Division established a new membership scholarship designed to assist current members facing financial hardship, reinforcing our commitment to supporting one another as a professional community.

Beyond these accomplishments, Council members and volunteers represented the Division throughout the NCBA and NCBF, ensuring that the paralegal perspective remained part of broader conversations affecting the legal profession. Their leadership, service, and advocacy continue to strengthen the visibility and value of paralegals throughout North Carolina.

A Challenge for the Future

While we have much to celebrate, we also recognize the challenges ahead. Like many professional organizations, we continue to experience membership declines that began during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We also face the ongoing need to identify, develop and encourage the next generation of Division leaders.

The long-term success of our Division depends on members who are willing not only to participate but also to engage, contribute and lead.

That is why my challenge to our members remains simple:

Do not simply be sponges absorbing information—be fountains of knowledge.

Share what you learn. Mentor someone coming behind you. Encourage a colleague to join the Division. Volunteer for a committee. Consider serving in a leadership role. Speak up in your workplace. Lead with professionalism and integrity. Bring solutions, insight and encouragement to those around you.

The legal profession does not grow stronger when knowledge is guarded — it grows stronger when knowledge is shared.

And perhaps most importantly, never settle for mediocrity.

Do not become comfortable doing only what is expected of you. Push yourself to grow. Refine your skills. Stay curious. Be intentional. Strive to be exceptional in both competence and character. The work we do matters. The professionalism we bring matters. Our voices matter. Our leadership matters.

Each of us has the ability to elevate not only our own careers but the profession as a whole. Every time we choose excellence over convenience, preparation over complacency and professionalism over indifference, we help shape how paralegals are viewed and valued throughout the legal community.

As I reflect on this year, I am inspired by the dedication, professionalism and servant leadership demonstrated by our Council members, committee volunteers and Division members. Their willingness to invest their time and talents made every accomplishment possible. Service in organizations like this often happens quietly and behind the scenes, but its impact is significant and lasting. For that, I am deeply grateful.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving as Chair of the NCBA Paralegal Division. It has been an honor to work alongside so many talented professionals who are committed to advancing our profession and supporting one another.

The work is not finished, but the future is bright. Together, we will continue advancing our profession, supporting our colleagues and elevating excellence through education, empowerment, and service.

Sarah L. White serves as the 2025-2026 Chair of the NCBA Paralegal Division.

June 11, 2026/by Paralegals