8:55 Welcome and Introductions
9:00 The Nuts and Bolts of Appellate Litigation in North Carolina Courts‡
Judge Allegra Collins, North Carolina Court of Appeals, Raleigh
Judge Richard D. Dietz, North Carolina Court of Appeals, Raleigh
Judge Fred Gore, North Carolina Court of Appeals, Raleigh
The past year has been a year of change for appellate practice in the North Carolina courts and there are more exciting changes to come. In this session, three Court of Appeals judges bring you up to speed on the recent and upcoming changes in practice, procedure, and technology at the appellate courts. They describe how to use technology to improve the quality of written and oral presentations, discuss the future of remote oral arguments, explore the shift to e-filing in the trial courts and its ramifications for appellate practice, explain North Carolina's new universal citation system, and preview some appellate rule changes that are likely to arrive soon.
10:00 Break
10:10 Hidden Gems: The Surprising Stories Behind Some of North Carolina's Appellate Practices
Matthew N. Leerberg, Fox Rothschild LLP, Raleigh
Elizabeth Brooks Scherer, Fox Rothschild LLP, Raleigh
Over a span of several years, Matt Leerberg and Beth Scherer researched and wrote a comprehensive treatise on North Carolina appellate practice and procedure. As they did so, they discovered that many modern appellate practices have a fascinating historical pedigree. Why are so many mistakes at the notice-of-appeal stage considered "jurisdictional"? Why are orders entered after a final judgment appealable at all? How did the Appellate Rules come to take their current form? Join us as we explore these and many other questions through the lens of history.
11:10 Break
11:20 Strategies and Resources for Addressing the Risks of Remote Work for Mental Health and Professionalism†
Judge Lucy N. Inman, North Carolina Court of Appeals, Raleigh
Robert E. Harrington, Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson PA, Charlotte
Richard E. Hicks Ph.D., HRC Behavioral Health & Psychiatry PA, Chapel Hill
The shift to a remote working environment over the past year has serious implications for lawyers' mental health and standards of professionalism. Remote work and accompanying strains on mental health can enhance feelings of isolation, heighten the risk of depression and substance abuse, and lead to unprofessional behavior as lawyers in their communication and work product. Appellate lawyers can be especially prone to these risks given the sometimes-isolating nature of appellate work. In this session, presenters draw on their experience to discuss these issues, advise attorneys on how to recognize situations in which they or their colleagues might benefit from intervention, and make lawyers aware of strategies and resources that are available to help them get back on track.
12:20 Adjourn
† Indicates portion providing Substance Abuse/Mental Health credit
‡ Indicates portion providing Technology Training credit