Linda Johnson Earns CLE Honor

Linda Funke Johnson has been named CLE Volunteer of the Year by the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation.

The award was presented Jan. 26 at the winter meeting of the NCBA Board of Governors by Roberta King Latham who chairs the CLE Committee.

“What sets apart our CLE from other providers,” Latham said, “is the quality of offerings – the quality programming and the quality of publications – which is only possible through the dedication, commitment and passion of our volunteers.

“The recipient of this year’s CLE volunteer award has shown amazing passion, commitment and dedication to not only the Foundation, but also our Association as a whole. This is really more of a life-time achievement award than an award for one’s work during one year.

Johnson is a solo practitioner with Senter, Stephenson, Johnson, P.A. of Fuquay-Varina (firm founders Jack Senter and Larry Stephenson are deceased). Originally from Connecticut, she is a graduate of Fairfield University and Quinnipiac University School of Law who is licensed to practice in Connecticut, Hawaii and North Carolina.

“To say that Linda Johnson has been active in the Bar Association and Foundation is an understatement,” Latham added. “Not only is she a frequent CLE speaker, she is currently serving as a council member of the Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section.

“She is a long-time planner, speaker and contributor at the Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section’s Annual Meeting and has been instrumental in obtaining sponsors to fund the program. And, she still serves on the section’s Fundraising Committee while serving as vice chair and legislative co-chair of the Section.”

Johnson’s dedication to her section’s CLE programming and continuing legal education in general is an extension of her core belief and practice to give back.

“That is how my personality is,” Johnson said. “My involvement with CLE helps me give back, but it also keeps me sharp professionally. The Bar Association is very open to anyone who wants to jump in and help, and not only that, you also get to meet a ton of great people.

“Receiving this award, especially as a solo practitioner in a small town, is a huge deal for me.”

It is certainly not the first time Johnson has been recognized. Locally, she was the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year for 2010, and has been honored by the Fuquay-Varina Fire Department as the recipient of its Marie Mauldin Silent Servant Award.

As a military spouse, she also demonstrated her commitment to giving back when her husband was stationed in Hawaii, receiving the Mollie Pitcher Award for Outstanding Service to the Field Artillery Community from the U.S. Army, Schofield Barracks, in 1991.