YLD e-Blast: October 2021

By Claire O’Brien and Michael Cohen

DATES TO KNOW

October 29 | Examples of Lawyer Leadership: Perspectives from Across the Non-Profit and Public Interest Sectors | noon to 1 p.m.

November 1 | Salary Negotiations 101 | noon to 1 p.m.

November 4 | Spotlight on Magistrate Judges and Federal Litigation | noon to 1 p.m.

November 8 | Spotlight on Privacy and Data Security | noon to 1 p.m.

November 11 | Leveraging LinkedIn for Young Lawyers and Law Students | noon to 1 p.m.

COMMITTEE AND SECTION UPDATES

New Lawyers in Practice – How-to Guides: The New Lawyers in Practice Committee has created a suite of “how-to” guides, free to NCBA members, to walk new attorneys through basic procedures in various types of law and to serve as a tool for experienced attorneys to brush up on practical skills. Check out the eight guides that the committee has so far and be on the lookout for more coming soon!

Section Spotlights

Construction Law – Recorded Event

The YLD and the Construction Law Section hosted a Section Spotlight on October 6, where attorney Neale Johnson of Fox Rothschild discussed subrogation and subcontractor liens, subcontracting, and performance. This presentation built on the Spring session’s program on Claims of Lien providing a foundational overview of subcontractors’ rights as well as specific discussion regarding current hot topics affecting subcontractors such as scheduling, materials and project delays, and damages. View the recorded panel.

Litigation – Upcoming Event

The YLD and Litigation Section are hosting an upcoming Section Spotlight on November 4 at noon with David C. Keesler speaking on magistrate judges and the important work they do in the United States District Courts. This Q&A session will cover a range of topics, including who magistrate judges are, their duties in federal civil and criminal proceedings, and practice tips for lawyers appearing before magistrate judges in federal court. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions, as the event will include time for Q&A from the audience. Register today.

Privacy & Data Security – Upcoming Event

Privacy & data security are always in the news these days, and almost all companies and consumers have been (or will be) affected by a data breach or new privacy law. Join the NCBA Young Lawyers Division on November 8 at noon to learn more about the newest NCBA section and this rapidly growing practice area. Our panel will discuss what privacy & data security practice actually looks like from various perspectives: in-house counsel and consumers advocacy, big firms and small firms. Register today.

Law Student Outreach Committee

Recorded Event

The Law Student Outreach Committee’s second panel of the year, “Finding that First Job and Setting Yourself Up for Success,” was held on September 30. The Committee partnered with UNC School of Law to host a panel of UNC Law alumni who discussed a variety of topics relevant to those about to graduate (3Ls) or those thinking ahead to graduation (2Ls), including advice for the job search, the transition from law student to legal professional, and tips and advice for new lawyers. View the recorded panel.

Upcoming Event

The Law Student Outreach Committee is hosting “Salary Negotiations 101” on November 1 at 12:00 p.m. This event is open to all law students and young lawyers. This event’s featured speaker will be Karen Chopra and will cover key negotiating concepts, how to handle salary questions in interviews and online applications, and how to ensure you get the best deal from the employer. Register today.

Upcoming Event

The Law Student Outreach Committee is hosting “Leveraging LinkedIn for Young Lawyers and Law Students” on November 11 at noon. This event is open to all law students and young lawyers. This event’s featured speaker will be Catherine Sanders Reach and will offer a variety of strategic approaches to using LinkedIn for building connections and creating a professional presence that stands out. According to the ABA Tech Report for 2020, 76% of law firms and 88% of individual lawyers are on LinkedIn. You certainly want to put your best foot forward on your LinkedIn profile and we will show you some tips to do just that. But that is just the beginning! Start by building connections. Are you contributing content? Interacting with connections? Start developing your professional persona now! Register today.

Bar Exam Committee – Recorded Event

The Bar Exam Committee hosted “Planning Ahead Leads to Success: An Overview of Becoming a Lawyer in NC” on October 7. This panel detailed the process of becoming a lawyer in North Carolina and how best to avoid potential pitfalls. Students heard from the Executive Director and Board Chair of the North Carolina Board of Law Examiners, Wake Forest University School of Law’s Dean of Academic Affairs, and a recent graduate to learn how to confidently take on each step of the application and examination process – from the MPRE and the bar application to studying for and taking the bar exam itself. View the recorded panel or download the presentation.

Swearing-In Ceremonies Scheduled

The NCBA provides a compilation of mass swearing-in ceremonies across the state, using information provided by local bar organizations. Check out this article to see the swearing in ceremonies offered in October and November.

Civic Engagement Committee – Upcoming Event

The YLD’s Civic Engagement Committee is pleased to host a web-panel with attorneys from the non-profit and public interest sectors on October 29 at noon. Our expert panelists will detail the challenges and benefits of their work – whether that be as a volunteer, board member, in-house counsel, executive, or private practitioner. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions of the panel, so if you’ve ever wondered how to balance being a lawyer while serving on a nonprofit board, what a private practice focusing on nonprofit representation looks like, or what skills are necessary to one day run your own philanthropic endeavor, don’t miss out on your chance to have these questions (and more!) answered. The Civic Engagement Committee is grateful to the NCBA’s own philanthropic arm, the North Carolina Bar Foundation, for making this event possible, and the panel will also offer attendees the opportunity to learn more about how to get involved in supporting the Foundation’s important work. RSVP for the event here!

Foundation and Development Fundraiser

The season of giving is just around the corner, but you could be the one receiving an exciting prize! Some of the potential prizes include a weekend stay at the luxurious Graylyn Resort in Winston-Salem, cheering on the Carolina Panthers with two tickets, and a two-night stay at a bed and breakfast in historic downtown Wilmington! All of these and more could be yours if you’re a YLD member who joins in our annual giving campaign benefitting the North Carolina Bar Foundation.

Our aim is to increase recurring gifts to the NCBF in a way that’s financially doable for YLD members. We know that as a young lawyer, annual giving can seem financially unfeasible so we have structured this campaign with a low donation minimum. Starting on Giving Tuesday, a recurring donation as low as $5.00/ month (less than your Netflix subscription!) will enter you into our raffle for these exclusive prizes. Additional prizes and entry details will be announced as we approach Giving Tuesday. YLD Foundation & Development committee members are working hard to make the campaign a success. Please reach out to any of us with questions or if you or your firm would like to sponsor or donate a prize. No prize is too big or too small, but as long as we have your attention, we are looking for prize packs from local businesses or a beach/mountain week house. David Joyner can be reached at [email protected] and Sarah Clark can be reached at [email protected].

GET INVOLVED

Connect with the YLD through the Online Community Platform

We encourage all YLD members to connect with the YLD through the Online Community Platform! To learn more about the 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 Collins Saint.

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, Michael Cohen and Claire O’Brien – they’d love to hear from you!