YLD e-Blast: March 2021

By Christina Cress and Claire O’Brien

Dates to Know

April 15 | Mingling with Membership: Impeachments by Michael Gerhardt | 4 to 5 p.m.

May 6 | Labor & Employment Law Section Annual Meeting | 3 to 3:30 p.m.

Committee and Section Updates

Law Week and Liberty Bell Committee

The YLD’s Law Week and Liberty Bell Committee is gearing up for the 2021 Law Day on Friday, May 7, 2021. This year’s Law Day theme is “Advancing the Rule of Law Now.” Please be on the lookout for updates on the virtual luncheon. The committee hosted its first virtual Moot Court Competition on Saturday, March 20, and selected four deserving students to move forward to the final round being held at 11 a.m. on Law Day. The committee also hosts multiple other competitions and will be selecting winners for those this month. Finally, the committee will also select the recipient of the prestigious Liberty Bell Award. The winners of these competitions and the recipient of the Liberty Bell Award will be announced during the Law Day virtual ceremony on May 7.

Law Student Outreach Committee

On February 23, the Law Student Outreach Committee hosted a virtual statewide Q&A with practicing first-generation lawyers. The panelists described their career paths, discussed unique challenges they have overcome as first-generation lawyers, and provided students with advice on networking and job-search strategies. Panelists included Angela Liu, partner at Dechert LLP; Kasi W. Robertson, associate at Brooks Pierce; Margaret Walters, in-house commercial attorney at Red Hat; and Michael J. Reece, criminal defense attorney at Reece & Reece. Adhitya Mahesh, UNC Law Student Rep, moderated this great discussion. Anyone who missed the live event can watch the recorded panel discussion below.

 

Pro Bono Committee

Our fully virtual and first Inaugural YLD Day of Pro Bono Service was held on February 26, 2021, and was a successful showcase of Pro Bono leadership and participation in a same-day Driver’s License Restoration Clinic. As a quick reminder, we encourage each of you to record your pro bono hours ahead of this year’s deadline on March 31.

During our panel, we heard from Judge Richard Dietz, Judge Linda Stephens and Troy Shelton who were instrumental in creating a critical program that fills the access to justice gap in the Courts of Appeals. Dean Evin Grant of Campbell Law School reminded us about our law schools and the Pro Bono projects that instill the value of service to future members of our profession. We were so excited to host these pillars of the community. They truly embody the value of Pro Bono to our profession and their stories demonstrate how service enriched their personal and professional lives. The YLD looks forward to an in-person celebration of Pro Bono stories and service as soon as it is safe to do so! To find other pro bono opportunities and ways to serve, click here!

View the recording of the Pro Bono Day panel below.

Privacy and Data Security Section

Privacy law is one of the fastest growing areas of legal practice. For many years, lawyers have earned the prestigious CIPP/US certification from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) to demonstrate their in-depth privacy knowledge. In 2018, the North Carolina State Bar built on this foundation to establish the “Privacy & Information Security Law Specialty” to set apart the most qualified privacy attorneys in North Carolina. Recently, Doug Forman (Certification Director at the IAPP) and Matt Cordell (Chair of the Bar’s Privacy & Information Security Law Specialization Committee) discussed the value of these designations and how you can earn them. Check out the event recording below.

Construction Law Section

The YLD Committee of the Construction Law Section is planning a virtual Lunch & Learn series titled “Everything I Ever Wanted to Know About ________ But Was Afraid to Ask.” For each Lunch & Learn, the YLD Committee will host a Construction Law Section member to present on and answer questions about a specific topic critical to the construction law practice. The first Lunch & Learn will take place from 12 to 1 p.m. on April 14, 2021. “Everything I Ever Wanted to Know About Claims of Lien on Real Property But Was Afraid to Ask” will focus on, among other things, relevant definitions, the rights of general and subcontractors and/or suppliers, the impact of recent case law on claims of lien, and the proper process for noticing and filing claims of lien on real property.

Claims of Lien on Real Property, or Mechanics’ Liens, are one of the oldest and most valuable tools for the recovery of money owed to construction industry players and are encountered by lawyers in a variety of situations.  Join the Construction Law section for a virtual lunch-and-learn as attorney Todd Jones of Anderson Jones, PLLC explains the basic form, function, and requirements of a claim of lien and dives deeper into their use. Specifically, the presentation will include issues such as relevant definitions under Chapter 44A, the right of general contractors and subcontractors/suppliers to lien property, the proper process for noticing and filing claims of lien on real property, and the impact of recent case law on claims of lien. The presentation portion will last approximately 40 minutes and be followed by approximately 20 minutes of roundtable discussion to allow members to ask questions for further comment and discussion.

Speaker: Todd Jones, Attorney and founding partner of Anderson Jones, has extensive experience in construction law and litigation, collections, OSHA defense, contracts, local government and municipal law, administrative law and litigation, real estate, employment law, immigration law, and traffic violations. He is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and in the District of Columbia, as well as in the federal courts system and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He has handled cases ranging from workers’ compensation to personal injury to multimillion-dollar contract disputes.

If you have any questions, contact Keith A. Boyette.

Get Involved

Connect with the YLD through the New Online Community Platform

We encourage all YLD members to connect with the YLD through the New Online Community Platform! To learn more about the New Online Community Platform, check out this blog post and these FAQs.

Volunteer with the Young Lawyers Division

We want your talents, energy and viewpoints in the YLD! Whether your passion is for serving the public, serving the profession, writing articles for publication, improving the administration of justice, building your skills and gaining experience, or helping those in need, we’ve got a role that’s perfect for you! To get involved and join one of our committees, please review your options and complete this online form. If you have questions about membership or committee participation, please reach out to Administrative Division Director Jonathan Bogues.

NCBA Pro Bono Opportunities

Be sure to check out the exciting pro bono opportunities available across the state! Click here for NCBA/NCBF volunteer opportunities.

BarCARES

COVID-19 has brought about many changes to our everyday lives. Oftentimes, unprecedented changes serve as triggers or stressors. BarCARES is an organization focused on improving the mental health and overall quality of life for NCBA members, local bar groups, and law students, offering no-cost assistance in dealing with personal, family, financial, work, and/or career stressors. Visit BarCARES online or call 800.640.0735 to speak to someone immediately or arrange a telehealth appointment.

NCBA Career Center

Our online career center averages between four to seven new North Carolina jobs a week! Members searching for employment can post their resumes anonymously, and members searching for employees receive a 15% discount on postings! Email questions to Tesha Blancett.

e-Blast Ideas? NCBarBlog Post Ideas?

If you’d like to see additional or new content in the e-Blast Newsletter or featured on the NCBarBlog, email your YLD Communications Committee Co-Chairs, Christina Cress and Claire O’Brien – they’d love to hear from you!