TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023
8:55 Welcome and Introductions
9:00 Why Professionalism Is Important to You*
Kayla D. Britt, North Carolina Department of Justice, Raleigh
Michele Livingstone, Poyner Spruill, Raleigh
In this dynamic session, hear from experts some ways you can ensure a positive, professional reputation. Review basic professionalism concepts, the professionalism checklist, personal conflicts and much more.
9:45 Break
9:55 Overview of the North Carolina State Bar*
Savannah B. Perry, North Carolina State Bar, Raleigh
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the North Carolina State Bar and what is required of you. Discuss the regulatory framework, obligations of membership, and reporting misconduct (Rule 8.3). Learn about NC State Bar programs and committees, including LAP, IOLTA, CLE, Authorized Practice and Administrative Committees, legal specialization, client security fraud, and fee dispute resolution.
10:40 Break
10:50 Ethics and Grievance Committees*
Joshua "Josh" Walthall, Joshua Walthall Attorney at Law, Raleigh
Understand the committees’ processes and results and gain insight into statistics on the most frequent grievances.
11:50 Lunch Break
12:40 Welcome Message
Jonathan Bogues, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Raleigh, 2023-2024 Young Lawyers Division Chair
12:45 The Attorney-Client Relationship*
Samantha E. Gordon, Shane Smith Law, Charlotte
Hear information from a team of experts on how to best manage the attorney-client relationship, including tips that lead to success and the pitfalls to avoid. Learn about client creation and termination, fees and billing, duties of diligence of communication, and the attorney-client privilege and confidentiality.
1:45 Break
1:55 Technology and Your Responsibility to Your Clients*‡
Catherine Sanders Reach, North Carolina Bar Association, Cary
Receive an overview of the technology necessary to build a law office support system and hear stories about the best and worst practices. Explore technology's impact on ethical responsibilities, the ethical considerations of social media, conflict controls and risk of spoliation of evidence.
2:55 Break
3:05 Pro Bono Service in NC*
Kim Bart Mullikin, North Carolina Bar Foundation, Cary
Alex Rogers, North Carolina Bar Foundation, Cary
Understand Rule 6.1 and your obligation for pro bono service, then learn how to get involved through your local and state bar associations to give back to the community.
3:50 Break
4:00 What I Didn't Learn in Law School*
Jonathan M. Bogues, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Raleigh
Spencer S. Fritts, The Law Offices of John M. McCabe PA, Cary
Arista "Ari" Sibrey, The Clauson Law Firm PLLC, Durham
Although it is an essential prerequisite that lays the foundation for practicing law, there are many skills that law school doesn't teach you. Learn from members of our Young Lawyers Division as they share helpful tips acquired from real-world experience and provide other useful information that you can implement in your daily practice.
4:45 Adjourn for the Day
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2023
8:55 Welcome and Introductions
9:00 How to Win in Trust Account Management*^
Leanor B. Hodge, North Carolina State Bar, Raleigh
Whether you manage your own trust account or are in a firm where someone else handles it, you need to know how to manage it correctly. In this informative session, all aspects of the trust account are discussed. Topics include Rule 1.15, record-keeping, a trust account versus an operating account, personal injury settlements, real estate transactions and the random audit program.
10:00 Break
10:10 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion*
Ebony Freeland Bryant, North Carolina Bar Association, Cary
This session addresses how to recognize implicit bias, discusses current diversity and inclusion initiatives in the legal profession (including equal access to justice), and explores other ways to better serve a diverse population.
11:10 Break
11:20 Getting Lost in Our Own Lives†
Carena Lemons, The Lemons Law Firm PLLC, Raleigh
Your hard work has paid off and sometimes finding the harmony between work and personal time is difficult. Hear practical tips for successfully finding a balance, the hazards to watch out for and the resources available to help.
12:20 Lunch Break
1:10 Welcome Message
Cheyenne Merrigan and Erin Robbins, North Carolina Bar Association, Cary
1:15 Inner Workings of the Law Office: Public and Private Sectors*
Abigail R. "Abby" Breedlove, Jordan Price, Raleigh
Janean B. Dunn, Iqvia, Durham
James Bradford "Brad" Piland, Raleigh
Elysia M. Prendergast-Jones, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Raleigh
Kim K. Steffan, Steffan & Associates PC, Hillsborough
Catherine Sanders Reach, North Carolina Bar Association, Cary (Moderator)
Learn the basics of law office operations, including budgeting, case and file management, training and supervising employees, and marketing. Panelists explore the differences between private-sector and public-sector/public-interest firms. Also, obtain resources available through the NC State Bar and other organizations and discuss the importance of mentoring.
2:30 Break
2:40 Dealing With the Courts*
Alexandra "Alli" Davidson, Moore & Van Allen, Charlotte
Sarah Sheridan, Moore & Van Allen, Charlotte
In this highly engaging session, receive pointers that positively influence your presence in the courts. Examine Rule 3.3 and Rule 11, courtroom decorum, and setting realistic goals for your practice.
3:25 Break
3:35 A View From the Bench: Cases and Examples of Professionalism and the Challenges of Being a New Lawyer*
Chief Judge Donna S. Stroud, North Carolina Court of Appeals, Raleigh
Judge Paul C. Ridgeway, North Carolina Superior Court, Raleigh
Hear cases and examples of professionalism from experienced North Carolina judges considered to be role models of professionalism and moral decision-making.
4:30 Professionalism Insight and Voluntary Oath*
Judge Paul C. Ridgeway, North Carolina Superior Court, Raleigh
4:35 Adjourn
* Indicates portion providing Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit
† Indicates portion providing Substance Abuse/Mental Health credit
‡ Indicates portion providing Technology Training credit
^ Indicates portion providing Trust Account Management credit
Thank you for joining us for Professionalism for New Attorneys (PNA).
We are so pleased to welcome newly licensed North Carolina attorneys into the profession and look forward to having you join us as you start your legal journey!
Kim Bart Mullikin is Senior Director of the North Carolina Bar Foundation, where she oversees pro bono and public service programs, the Endowment, and development efforts.
Prior to working with the NCBF, Kim served as the assistant dean of public interest and pro bono and director of the externship program at Duke University School of Law, where she is an alumna. Kim worked as an assistant professor and director of the Domestic Violence Law Clinic at the University of Alabama School of Law, and as a teaching fellow in the Federal Legislation Clinic at the Georgetown University Law Center. Kim began her career as an associate with Crowell & Moring LLP in Washington D.C.
Kim received her LL.M. in advocacy from Georgetown University, her law degree with a graduate certification in women's studies from Duke University, her M.P.A. from Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship, and her B.A. in women's studies from Syracuse University.
Click here for more information about Kim.
Jonathan M. Bogues is an associate with Michael Best & Friedrich LLP in Raleigh. He is a commercial real estate attorney who represents clients in all aspects of the acquisition, sale, development, and financing of a variety of real estate projects.
In addition to his real estate practice, Jonathan also has a passion for helping nonprofit and religious organizations navigate the legal issues they face. Jonathan routinely advises charitable organizations on day-to-day matters such as land purchases and leases, contracts, corporate governance, and risk management.
Within the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA), he was selected to 2017 NCBA Leadership Academy, a program limited to sixteen young lawyers statewide designed to help young lawyers become effective leaders in their communities and the legal profession. From there, he has served as Communications Committee Co-Chair, Communities Outreach Division Director, Administrative Division Director, Secretary and currently serves as Chair-Elect to NCBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD). He was awarded the Robison O. Everett Professionalism Award at the 2019 NCBA Annual Meeting, an award given annually to an attorney whose involvement in civic, bar service, law school education, and community service activities inspires others. Jonathan has also served as YLD Liaison to the NCBA's Real Property Section and is currently serving a three-year term on the NCBA's Real Property Section Council as Chair to the Membership and Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Within the Wake County Bar Association (WCBA), Jonathan is currently serving as Chair to the Young Lawyers Division and has previously served as Secretary, Chair to the Membership Committee and Co-Chair to the Summer Clerks Orientation, the annual summer program where summer clerks and interns learn about the different law-related resources, jobs, officers, and opportunities within the Wake County bar and judicial system. He was also awarded the President's Award at the 2020 WCBA Annual Meeting, an award given annually to an attorney who has shown exemplary and dedicated service to the legal profession and the citizens of Wake County.
Within the American Bar Association (ABA), Jonathan was selected as an ABA YLD Scholar, a program limited to sixteen young lawyers nationwide to increase the diversity in leadership positions in the ABA YLD. He has also served as Chair to the Men of Color Project, an initiative created by the ABA YLD designed to empower men of color to become leaders in the legal profession, facilitate an intergenerational support system, and encourage opportunities for community service and civic engagement. He previously served as Vice Director to the ABA YLD’s Public Service Team and helped coordinate the YLD's Operation Second Chance initiative, a two-part public service project aimed at providing resources for expunging non-violent criminal convictions followed by an in-person expungement fair at the 2022 ABA YLD Spring Conference in Atlanta, GA in conjunction with the Georgia Justice Project and the Fulton County District Attorney Record Restrictions Team, where over 100 people where helped. Currently, Jonathan is serving as Director to the ABA YLD's Civic Engagement Team. In 2020, Jonathan was selected to serve as Fellow to the ABA's Real Property Trust and Estates (RPTE) Section. The chief objective of the Fellows Program is to provide young lawyers an opportunity to become involved in the substantive work of the RPTE Section and develop into future leaders of the RPTE Section.
Additionally, Jonathan serves on the board for the North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Fund and has also been selected by his peers for inclusion in the Business North Carolina's "Legal Elite" in the Real Estate category as well as North Carolina Central University Office of Alumni Relations 40 Under 40.
Jonathan earned his B.S. in Sport Management from North Carolina State University and his J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Click here for more information about Jonathan.
Kayla D. Britt is an Assistant Attorney General at the North Carolina Department of Justice and focuses her practice on Condemnation.
Before working in the Condemnation Section at NCDOJ, Kayla practiced in the Public Assistance Section and Appellate and Post-Conviction Section.
Kayla serves as the NCBA YLD Law Student Division Director and received the Charles F. Blanchard Young Lawyer of the Year Award in 2023.
Kayla earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice from Campbell University and her M.P.A and J.D. from North Carolina Central University.
Click here for more information about Kayla.
Abigail R. "Abby" Breedlove is a commercial real estate attorney with Jordan Price in Raleigh. She primarily represents developers and financial institutions in the purchase, sale, financing, and development of commercial and mixed-use property. Her experience includes land acquisition and disposition for major retailers, municipalities, developers, and home builders; site plan, title, and survey review and advisement; and drafting and negotiating contracts and loan documents.
Prior to law school, Abby obtained a paralegal certification and worked as a Real Estate Title Paralegal at Battle Winslow Scott & Wiley in her hometown of Rocky Mount. Her time at Battle Winslow inspired her to become an attorney.
During law school, Abby was active in Student Recruitment, the Peer Mentorship Program, and the Women in Law Organization, but spent much of her time outside of the classroom working at a local commercial real estate firm.
Prior to joining the firm, Abby worked as a Commercial Real Estate Attorney representing national home builders and retailers in the acquisition and development of land.
Abby earned her B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology from East Carolina University and J.D. from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.
Click here for more information about Abby.
Alexandra "Alli" Davidson is an associate at Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte. She is part of the Litigation group and focuses on white collar criminal defense, government investigations, internal investigations, and complex civil litigation.
Alli represents clients in a variety criminal and civil government investigations and internal investigations. These matters have involved investigations into possible bribery, public corruption, embezzlement, securities fraud, and other violations of federal law. She also represents clients in business disputes, including securities fraud, breaches of contracts, and noncompete violations.
Alli earned her B.A. in Communications, Public Relations and Political Science from North Carolina State University and J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.
Click here for more information about Alli.
Janean B. Dunn is a Senior Counsel, Global Employment Law at IQVIA in Durham. She is a legal advisor to business leaders and Human Resources professionals on employment law matters. She works closely with key stakeholders to execute business strategy in a practical and compliant manner, to include driving efficiency across the global enterprise through process and procedure improvements. She advises on a range of employment law matters including restrictive covenant agreements, artificial intelligence initiatives, diversity and inclusion, wage and hour issues, employment policy development and implementation, and employee relations matters.
Previously, Janean was a Senior Associate Attorney at Jackson Lewis PC where she represented private and public employers in federal and state courts, arbitrations and administrative proceedings before the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the North Carolina Department of Labor, and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board. She also provided a variety of transactional services to employers such as: due diligence in corporate transactions, drafting various employment agreements, advising on reductions in force, site closures and workplace investigations.
Janean earned her B.A., cum laude, with a double major in Sociology and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her J.D. from Elon University School of Law, where she served as a contributing editor to the Journal of Leadership and the Law .
Click here for information about Janean.
Ebony Freeland Bryant is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion at the North Carolina Bar Association in Cary. She supports the diversity and inclusion initiatives of the NCBA and celebrates and promotes the richness of diversity among NCBA members, volunteers and employees. She produces Habari, the bi-monthly D&I newsletter and intentionally looks for opportunities to platform issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Formerly, Ebony served as the Director of Diversity Initiatives at Duke University School of Law. Prior to her work at Duke, she worked at the National Association for College Admission Counseling in Professional Development and at her alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
Ebony's professional activities include the creation and direction of the Duke PreLaw Fellowship Program, a 4-week residential pipeline program that ran for five years and exposed almost 120 underrepresented college students to the rigors and requirements of law school and a career in law. She has given presentations and trainings on implicit bias, privilege and building community. She has served on the LSAC Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Pipeline Programs Work Group, the Duke Law DEI Faculty Committee, and as the Information Officer for the LSAC Minority Network.
Beginning in 2020, Ebony served as the president of the UNCW African American Graduate Association and a member of the UNCW Chancellor's Renewal & Change Committee to assist in addressing the university's response to the events of 2020 and beyond.
Ebony earned her B.A. in English Language and Literature, with a minor in African American Studies, from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Click here for more information about Ebony.
Spencer S. Fritts is an associate attorney at The Law Offices of John M. McCabe PA in Cary. His practice focuses on representing people who have been injured by trucking collisions, medical negligence, defective products, and on-the-job accidents.
Prior to joining the firm, Spencer was a judicial law clerk at the North Carolina Court of Appeals. During his time there, he had the privilege of clerking for three separate judges on the Court—Judges Ann Marie Calabria, Tobias S. Hampson, and John M. Tyson. In 2020, he took his passion for helping others into private practice, joining the firm of Oxendine Barnes & Associates PLLC, where he concentrated on personal injury work, including wrongful death, medical negligence, and auto torts.
Spencer is a proud member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice (NCAJ), American Association for Justice (AAJ), North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA), and Wake County Bar Association (WCBA), where he has had the privilege of serving in leadership roles within both the NCAJ and NCBA.
Spencer earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Carolina Honors College and his J.D., cum laude, from Campbell Law School, graduating in the top twenty percent of his class. During law school, he was the symposium editor of the Campbell Law Review and a student representative for the North Carolina Bar Association.
Click here for more information about Spencer.
Samantha E. Gordon is an Estate Planning & Elder Law Attorney at McIntyre Elder Law in Charlotte.
Samantha's tenure at institutions such as Jones Branz & Whitaker LLP and the Law Offices of Shane Smith allowed her to dive deep into the complexities of estate planning and personal injury cases, respectively. These experiences set the foundation for her specialization in elder law.
Samantha is an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association and Foundation. Since 2017, she has been a lead volunteer attorney for the NCBF Wills for Heroes program that provides free estate planning documents to first responders in North Carolina. In addition, she has been a co-chair of the Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Committee since 2018 and received the distinguished award of Young Lawyer of the Quarter from the Bar Association in 2021. She has also been inducted into the North Carolina Bar's Pro Bono Honor Society in 2019, 2020, and 2021 with over 70 hours of pro bono work each year. In 2022, she was awarded among the young lawyers of the North Carolina Bar Association the Young Lawyer Pro Bono Service Award for her pro bono service throughout the years.
Samantha earned her B.A. in Political Science/Legal Studies/Economics from Bloomsburg University and her J.D., with highest pro bono honors, from Charlotte School of Law, where she participated in numerous clinics and organizations.
Click here for more information about Samantha.
Leanor Bailey Hodge is a Deputy Counsel with the North Carolina State Bar in Raleigh. She counsels the NCSB's Grievance Committee and prosecuting lawyers for ethics violations before the Disciplinary Hearing Commission.
Prior to joining the NCSB in 2008, Leanor was a litigation partner at the law firm of Manning Fulton & Skinner PA in Raleigh, and a prosecutor in Philadelphia and Chicago. Leanor frequently lectures for the Mecklenburg County Bar on ethical and professional topics.
Leanor received her B.B.A. from Howard University and her J.D. from Temple University.
Click here for more information about Leanor.
Carena Lemons is an attorney and owner of The Lemons Law Firm PLLC in Raleigh. Her practice areas include employment and business law, employee rights, entertainment law and trademarks and copyrights. She's a coach to creatives and entrepreneurs in structuring their business and developing processes and procedures for business operations and managing employees.
Carena has practiced law for over 20 years and served on various Boards including: the Greater Raleigh Chapter of NAWBO, her local Women's Bar (DOWA) and her local District Bar Grievance Committee. She taught for Duke University's paralegal program and at NCCU School of Law.
Carena earned her B.A., majoring in Political Science and minoring in Psychology, from the University of South Carolina and her J.D. from orth Carolina Central University School of Law.
Click here for more information about Carena.
Michele Livingstone is an Associate at Poyner Spruill in Charlotte. She focuses her practice on civil and commercial litigation matters, representing businesses and professionals in state and federal courts. She also has experience representing governmental entities in litigation in state, federal, and appellate courts on a variety of issues including police practices and issues arising under the North Carolina State Constitution.
In 2022, Michele was honored with the Charles F. Blanchard Young Lawyer of the Year Award from the North Carolina Bar Association and is active in the North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.
Prior to joining the firm, Michele served as a defense attorney on a variety of cases including labor and employment, professional malpractice, construction defects, and workers' compensation. She also was an associate attorney at Kennon Craver PLLC in Durham.
Michele earned her B.S. in Political Science and Economics from Santa Clara University and her J.D. from Wake Forest University of Law.
Click here for more information about Michele.
Savannah B. Perry works as deputy counsel at the North Carolina State Bar Office of Counsel in Raleigh, where she prosecutes attorney misconduct.
Savannah earned her B.A. in English from Appalachian State University, her Master of Trust and Wealth Management, magna cum laude, from Campbell University and her J.D. from Campbell Law School.
Click here for more information about Savannah.
J. Bradford "Brad" Piland is Assistant General Counsel at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety in Raleigh.
Prior to joing DPS, Brad was a staff attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina where he worked with volunteer-based community groups engaged in disaster recovery from Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, Dorian and Fred on matters including non-profit formation, board governance and compliance.
Brad is has been the Co-Chair of the North Carolina Bar Foundation's Disaster Legal Services since 2019.
Brad earned his bachelor's in News Editorial Sequence/Journalism from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his J.D. from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.
Click here for more information about Brad.
Elysia M. Prendergast-Jones is a supervising attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina in Raleigh. She works primarily in the fields of family law and domestic violence. She enjoys empowering clients and working with the population that LANC serves.
Elysia's legal experience extends from family law to A/N/D court to criminal and civil court as well as the NC Court of Appeals, where some of the cases have recently been published. She has always had a passion for helping people as she has taken a position as a staff attorney for Legal Aid of North Carolina working with clients in domestic violence situations.
Elysia was a previous supervising attorney for NCCU's School of Law's Lawyer on the Line program, in connection with Legal Aid and provided guidance to students as they navigate the law to help their clients. Former Chairperson of the North Carolina Bar Association's Solo, Small Firm, and General Practice Division, she has served as Chair for the council of the Young Lawyers' Division, the Law-related Education Committee, the Juvenile Justice Section, and others. Additionally, Elysia participated in Camp Confidence, a joint task-force between the Cary Police Department and the NCBA to work with at-risk youth during summers.
Elysia is the current WCBA/ 10TH Judicial treasurer, she is the pro bono chair of the NCBA's family law section and on the council for women in the profession. She is on the board of Triangle Area Parenting Support and a member of her daughter's PTSA. She has spoken at many CLE's in the areas of family law and domestic violence.
Elysia earned her M.A. in Counseling Psychology and M.B.A. from Webster University and her J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law. She has been a teacher for Wake County and a counselor working with children.
Click here for more information about Elysia.
Alex Rogers is Director of Programs at the North Carolina Bar Foundation in Cary. In her role, she oversees the Pro Bono and Civic Education programs of the NCBF.
Alex's passion for pro bono began in law school, where she was heavily involved with the Pro Bono Board.
Alex earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her J.D. from Elon University School of Law.
Click here for more information about Alex.
Catherine Sanders Reach is Director for the Center for Practice Management at the North Carolina Bar Association, providing practice technology and management assistance to lawyers and legal professionals. Formerly she was Director, Law Practice Management and Technology for the Chicago Bar Association and the Director at the American Bar Association's Legal Technology Resource Center.
Prior to her work at the NCBA, CBA and ABA she worked in library and information science environments for a number of years, working at Ross and Hardies as a librarian. She received a master's degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa in 1997.
Catherine's professional activities include articles published in Law Practice magazine, Law Technology News and GPSolo Magazine, as well as numerous other publications. She has given presentations on the use of technology in law firms for national bar conferences, state and local bar associations and organizations such as the National Association of Bar Council and the Association of American Law Schools. In 2011 she was selected to be one of the inaugural Fastcase 50, celebrating fifty innovators, techies, visionaries, and leaders in the field of law and in 2013 became a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management. She served on the ABA TECHSHOW Board from 2007-2009, 2014-2016 and is co-vice chair in 2019.
Click here for more information about Catherine. Connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Judge Paul C. Ridgeway is Senior Resident Superior Court Judge of the 10th Judicial District (Wake County), North Carolina. He has served as a Superior Court Judge since 2007.
Judge Ridgeway received his B.S. and M.P.A. from North Carolina State University, and his J.D. from Campbell School of Law, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the law review. Following law school, Judge Ridgeway received a post-graduate degree from the University of Amsterdam in the law of the European Community.
Prior to becoming a judge in 2007, Judge Ridgeway was engaged in the private practice of law for 20 years, primarily in the fields of commercial litigation and transactions. Judge Ridgeway has served as President of the Wake County Bar Association and as a Vice President of the NCBA.
For 25 years, Judge Ridgeway has also been an adjunct professor of law at Campbell School of Law, where he teaches seminars in International Litigation and Law & Public Policy.
Click here for more information about Judge Ridgeway.
Sarah A. Sheridan is a litigation associate at Moore & Van Allen PLLC in Charlotte. She helps clients navigate complex legal issues in a wide variety of high-stakes litigation and regulatory matters. She has successfully represented financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and individuals in a variety of commercial disputes and investigations.
Sarah's practice includes a broad range of substantive issues and industries. he litigates commercial disputes in state and federal courts, arbitrations, and mediations across the country. She also has extensive experience representing clients in internal and government investigations.
Sarah began her legal career in New York at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, where she worked on cases ranging from securities class actions, copyright infringement suits, government investigations, contract disputes, and antitrust matters. She then joined Dewey Pegno & Kramarsky LLP, a premiere boutique firm in New York, where she honed her advocacy skills while focusing on shareholder derivative investigations, commercial contract disputes, and FINRA employee-related arbitrations.
Sarah also maintains a strong pro bono practice, with an emphasis on child and spousal support matters.
Sarah was named to Super Lawyers Rising Stars in New York in 2021, which recognizes the top 2.5% of attorneys based on in-firm and external nominations, independent research, and peer selection. In 2022, Thomson Reuters named Sarah in their Top Women Attorneys in the New York Metro Area.
Sarah earned her B.S., summa cum laude, from Boston University and her J.D., magna cum laude, from Duke University School of Law, where she served on the Moot Court Board and Mock Trial team. She is an active alumna and was recently selected by the Duke Law Alumni Office to serve on the Duke Law Charlotte Alumni Board, and previously served on the Duke Law New York Alumni Board.
Click here for more information about Sarah.
Arista "Ari" Sibrey is an Associate Attorney at The Clauson Law Firm PLLC in Durham. She focuses on representing Social Security disability clients at all stages in the process, but primarily focuses on hearing representation.
Ari is an accredited attorney with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and assists disabled veterans with their appeals for disability benefits.
Ari decided to embark on a career in law so that she could help people with their legal issues with knowledge and compassion. She chose to work at The Clauson Law Firm because they continually strive to fulfill a mission of helping those with disabilities navigate their way through a difficult and lengthy process, with experience, dedication, and understanding. She worked at a family law firm before starting her career in social security disability.
Ari also enjoys volunteering for various pro bono opportunities in her local community. From Call 4All, Wills for Heroes, and NC Free Legal Answers, she enjoys sharing her legal knowledge and skills to those who may not have access or resources to obtain legal services.
Ari earned her B.A. in English Language and Literature from Florida International University and J.D. from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.
Click here for more information about Ari.
Kim K. Steffan is the Managing Partner at Steffan & Associates PC in Hillsborough. She has been in general practice since 1986, most of that time in Hillsborough. Her areas of practice consist of business law, employment law, estate administration and probate, estate planning and real estate.
Kim serves on the Regional Advisory Board for UNC's Small Business and Technology Development Center. She is a current Board member and past president of the Orange County Bar Association. She serves on the District 18 Bar Mentoring Committee to assist young lawyers with professional development. She has spoken to various groups on estate planning, business law, family law, workers' comp, and other topics.
From time to time, Kim serves as a volunteer guest faculty member at seminars and workshops at the UNC Law School. She writes the monthly "Ask the Lawyer" legal column for the News of Orange County. She received the 2009 Work Life Balance Award presented by the N.C. Association of Women Attorneys.
Kim earnedher B.A. magna cum laude from Duke University and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill.
Click here for more information about Kim.
Chief Judge Donna S. Stroud has served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals for over thirteen years, having been first elected in 2006. She is a dual graduate of Campbell University, with a B.A., summa cum laude, in Government, and J.D., magna cum laude. She was ranked first in her class each year of law school and upon graduation; she served as the Notes & Comments Editor of the Campbell Law Review. She earned her LL.M. in Judicial Studies from Duke University School of Law.
Chief Judge Stroud spent 16 years in private practice, first as an associate and later as a partner, until her election in 2004 as a District Court Judge in Wake County. While in private practice, she was also both a certified Superior Court mediator and a District Court arbitrator.
Chief Judge Stroud served as a Family Court Judge while on the District Court. After joining the Court of Appeals in 2007, she began teaching as an Adjunct Professor at Campbell University School of Law in 2008, teaching Judicial Process and Juvenile Law.
Chief Judge Stroud frequently presents CLE programs for the North Carolina Bar Association and other organizations. She currently serves as chair of the Chief Justice's Rules Advisory Commission and is a member of the North Carolina Courts Commission and Family Court Advisory Committee.
Click here for more information about Chief Judge Stroud.
Joshua T. Walthall is a professional licensing attorney at Joshua Walthall Attorney at Law in Raleigh. He focuses his practice on representing lawyers, physicians, nurses, dentists, land surveyors, engineers, real estate agents, accountants, and other professionals in legal proceedings before administrative licensing boards. He assists clients in navigating issues related to highly regulated professions, including the unauthorized practice of law and issues before the Board of Law Examiners.
Joshua also provides confidential, practical advice to lawyers and law firms facing professional ethics dilemmas, including Bar or criminal investigations, employee theft, unfair competition and business practices, firm dissolutions, and other risk management. He can also audit or investigate trust account records and provide guidance on how to correct trust accounting errors and maintain best practices.
Joshua was formerly with Nelson Mullins in Raleigh. Before entering private practice, Josh spent nearly a decade at the North Carolina State Bar prosecuting attorney misconduct and the unauthorized practice of law.
Joshua earned his B.A. from the College at Southeastern and his J.D. from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law.
Prior to law school, Joshua worked in the land surveying, banking, and construction industries and was a middle school teacher and soccer coach.
Click here for more information about Joshua.
A special thanks to North Carolina Bar Foundation Endowment for a grant which helps support this PNA program.
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Certificate of Completion and Archived Video: Your certificate of completion and archived video will be available approximately two weeks of the program date and can be found in your CLE account. MCLE credit is available to registrants only on the day(s) of the live event. This archived content is offered solely for review purposes and is not a substitute for live attendance. Click here for more information about archive videos in our FAQ.