Leading Off
Welcome to the February 2021 edition of North Carolina Lawyer, the flagship publication of the North Carolina Bar Association.
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, we are pleased to report that the important work of the NCBA and the North Carolina Bar Foundation continues in earnest. Our members are doing a remarkable job of staying active and engaged, as reported by President Mark Holt. Access his President’s Perspective for an overview of what’s been going on and what’s on the horizon for the Association and the Foundation.
In a similar vein, Chair Kristen Kirby delivers an excellent call to action in her YLD Column, which is devoted to next month’s YLD Legal Feeding Frenzy. Like so many Young Lawyers Division activities, the success of this effort depends upon the contributions of members of all ages.
Likewise, the 14th annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day provides an avenue of service for “virtually” every member. Co-chairs Alicia Edwards and Nicolette Fulton join volunteer John Noor in explaining how this year’s virtual event on Friday, March 5, will be one of the Foundation’s most important and successful 4ALLs ever.
The power of staying connected runs deep within the ranks of the NCBA Law Student Division. YLD Law Student Division Director Leila Hicks and Law Student Representatives from North Carolina’s six law schools discuss the importance of their service and how they are making a positive impact on the lives of law students across the state.
The new year brought about significant change in all levels of state government, including the judiciary, where Chief Justice Paul Newby and Chief Judge Donna Stroud assumed new leadership roles, respectively, at the Supreme Court of North Carolina and the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Ryan Park is also relatively new to his role as the state’s solicitor general. North Carolina Lawyer is grateful to all three members for their participation in extensive Q&A interviews appearing in this edition.
On the lighter side, we offer the contributions of M. Ann Anderson, who has taken on unofficial status as an ambassador for Pilot Mountain, and several members and firms who are providing important contributions to the success of public radio throughout North Carolina.
Helping members with their practice, Catherine Sanders Reach, director of the Center for Practice Management, outlines several key developments taking place with Fastcase, the official online legal research provider of the NCBA. Laura Graham, professor of legal writing and director of legal analysis, writing, and research at Wake Forest University School of Law, devotes her latest Writing That Works column to a familiar grammatical conundrum – that, which, who or whom.
We extend our congratulations to Judge Wanda Bryant, who recently retired following nearly two decades on the N.C. Court of Appeals. In recognition of her service on the Court of Appeals and as chair of the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission, Judge Bryant received the Friend of the Court Award, the highest award presented by the N.C. Judicial Branch.
Pick and choose from the February 2021 issue page, or scroll conveniently from article to article through the entire edition utilizing the Previous Article – Next Article option at the end of each piece.
Russell Rawlings is director of external affairs and communications for the North Carolina Bar Association.