ABA Recognizes NCBA YLD

They got the ugly sweaters memo!

The Young Lawyers Division of the North Carolina Bar Association returned from the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago with two ABA YLD Awards of Achievement.

The inaugural Ugly Sweater 5K, held last December, was recognized in the Service to the Public category. Leah Hermiller of Raleigh led this effort to benefit NC LEAP, the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s pro bono program serving low-wealth entrepreneurs.

The ABCs of Mentoring CLE, which was conducted in conjunction with the spring meeting of the NCBA Senior Lawyers Division, was recognized in the Service to the Bar category.

Lee Denton of the Young Lawyers Division and Judge Ann Marie Calabria of the Senior Lawyers Division served as co-planners of the CLE, which was a joint project of the YLD and the SLD.

Cabell Clay of Charlotte was recognized as an ABA YLD Star of the Year for her ongoing service to the public and the profession. Clay currently serves as chair-elect of the NCBA YLD and is a previous recipient of the Charles F. Blanchard Young Lawyer of the Year Award, which Hermiller received this year.

“The ABA YLD Awards of Achievement recognizes the outstanding North Carolina young lawyer leaders who led our most successful projects this past bar year,” said Jason Walters, 2017-18 NCBA YLD chair. “Leah, Lee and Cabell are not only excellent attorneys, but are great examples of servant leadership.

“I am thankful for the contributions of their time, talents, skills and passion for serving others.”