Recognition

Recognition is a regular feature of NC Lawyer. To submit notices, email Russell Rawlings.

Leah, a white woman with curly brown hair, wears a black blouse and black jacket. Leah M. Campbell and the Charlotte office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP have been recognized for the second consecutive year for their pro bono contributions by Safe Alliance, a Charlotte-based non-profit organization serving those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. Bradley helped establish the Domestic Violence Protection Order Project in 2019, partnering with Safe Alliance to offer pro bono assistance to victims of domestic violence. Campbell helps coordinate cases with attorneys who can assist victims with orders of protection and works directly with Safe Alliance clients on legal issues throughout the year.

Tom, a white man with grey hair, wears a blue shirt, red tie and black jacket.Thomas C. Grella of McGuire, Wood & Bissette, PA in Asheville has been nominated by the American Bar Association House of Delegates to serve a three-year term on the Board of Governors beginning after the ABA Annual Meeting in August. Grella has held numerous positions within the ABA, including service as North Carolina State Delegate, member of the Nominating Committee and House of Delegates, chair of the Law Practice Division, and service on the editorial boards of the ABA Journal and ABA Law Practice Magazine.

Kris, a white man with brown hair and a beard, wears a white shirt, blue tie and dark blue jacket. Kristopher J. (Kris) Hilscher of Sullivan & Hilscher Family Law in Raleigh has been named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). Hilscher is an N.C. State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Family Law and N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Family Financial Mediator, and one of only 38 Fellows in the North Carolina Chapter of the AAML. He also serves as chair of the American Bar Association Family Law Section’s Military Committee and as a member of the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel.

Diana, a white woman with light brown hair, wears a white blouse and black jacket.Diana R. Palecek of Fox Rothschild LLP in Charlotte received the 2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award from the Commercial Real Estate Women Network (CREW) Charlotte chapter, a global organization of real estate professionals. The award honors a CREW Charlotte member who helps to advance the organization’s goals to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in its membership and leadership. An active member of CREW and its DEI taskforce and champion for people with disabilities in the workforce, Palecek facilitated their inaugural commonality cohort for professionals with disabilities.

Heydt, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, red tie and black jacket.Heydt Philbeck of Bailey & Dixon, LLP in Raleigh has been elected a Fellow of The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers and was inducted in Seattle, Washington. Fellowship, which is by invitation-only and limited to practitioners who have practiced in the field for twenty or more years, is considered the highest recognition by one’s colleagues of sustained outstanding performance in the practice of labor and employment law, exemplifying integrity, dedication, and excellence.

Linda, a white woman with brown hair, wears a dark grey suit. Linda B. Sayed of Block, Crouch, Keeter, Behm & Sayed, LLP in Wilmington has been honored by the University of North Carolina Wilmington Alumni Association as the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumna of the Year. A North Carolina Certified Family Law Specialist, Sayed holds a B.A. in chemistry and an M.Ed. from UNCW and is a member of the UNCW Foundation Board, UNCW Society, Clocktower Society and Wilmington Society. She is a past president of the local chapter of the N.C. Association of Women Attorneys and the Fifth Judicial Bar.

Jim, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, blue tie and black jacket.Jim Slaughter of Law Firm Carolinas in Greensboro recently received the Don Buck Lifetime Contribution Award from the Community Associations Institute’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL). The award, which recognizes attorneys who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the community association industry, was presented at the Community Association Law Seminar in Las Vegas. Slaughter is a past president of the N.C. Chapter of the Community Associations Institute and the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers (ACPL).

William, a white man with brown hair, wears a white shirt, blue tie, and black jacket. William M. (Bill) Starr of Baker Donelson in Charlotte received the Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award from Safe Alliance, a Charlotte-based non-profit organization serving those impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. Starr provided Safe Alliance with more than 100 hours of pro bono work, which included obtaining orders of protection for victims of domestic violence so that these individuals can attend school, work, and proceed with their lives without being subjected to threats and violence.

Russell Rawlings is director of external affairs and communications for the North Carolina Bar Association.