FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, GO TO NCBA 2024 ANNUAL MEETING WEBPAGE.
1:50 Welcome and Introductions
1:55 BREAKOUT SESSION:
The Increasingly Elastic JD: Unconventional Career Paths
Latasia A. Fields, North Carolina Department of Justice, Raleigh (Moderator)
Elizabeth A. James, North Carolina State University, Raleigh
Jose Luis, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, Charlotte
Chigozie Ogwuegbu-Stephens, Wells Fargo Bank, Charlotte
A law degree isn't merely a ticket to life in a law firm or the courtroom. The know-how acquired in law school creates a myriad of opportunities from C-suites of major corporations, to running non-profits, to careers in banking, finance, and journalism. Hear from a few of your brothers and sisters who have found career satisfaction a bit (or more) off the beaten path.
This session is not for CLE credit.
Location: Room W209AB
OR
Current Views of the Judiciary and Judicial Independence in North Carolina, Part 2
J. Michael Bitzer, Catawba College, Salisbury
Christopher A. Cooper, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee
Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation, Raleigh
Joe Stewart, Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, Cary (Moderator)
Revisiting our conversation from 2022, another statewide poll of likely voters and a side-by-side poll of NC attorneys has been performed for the NCBA by Cygnal polling. The polling includes trust and confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, North Carolina Appellate and non-appellate courts and views on judicial elections, partisan elections, the concept of judicial appointments, fairness, speed of justice, judicial resources and perceived influence on judiciary, among other related issues. The panelists discuss and share insights on the results as they are revealed and review how things have changed, or haven't, since 2022.
Qualifies for 1.00 MCLE General hour.
Location: Room W209CDEF
2:55 Break
3:00 BREAKOUT SESSION:
Diversity in the Judiciary: The Role of Representation in Equal Justice*
Former Judge Charles L. Becton, Durham
Ebony Freeland Bryant, North Carolina Bar Association, Cary (Moderator)
Shane T. Stansbury, Duke University School of Law, Durham
Judge Karlene S. Turrentine, North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings, Raleigh (Moderator)
Judge James A. Wynn Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, Raleigh
Through a review of a dynamic conversation about life and career between Chief Justice Henry Frye and Judge Allyson Duncan and a follow-up discussion, join us as we highlight the importance of diversity and representation on the bench in advancing equal justice.
Qualifies for 1.00 MCLE Ethics/Professional Responsibility hour.
Location: Room W209AB
OR
Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence: A Practical Guide for Lawyers‡
Chase Hardy, Griffin Purnell, San Antonio, TX
Afraid of AI? Think it's an overhyped, hocus-pocus fad headed in the same direction as Betamax video and 8-track audio? Ignore it at your own peril. AI is already revolutionizing the practice of law in ways that seemed unimaginable just a short time ago. Chase Hardy doesn't just travel the country extolling AI's virtues from an ivory tower; he harnesses AI every day in his law practice to routinely make mincemeat of the best and brightest BigLaw throws at him. In this blazing-fast changing area, he provides up-to-the-minute practical guidance that allows you to dramatically improve—and simplify—how you practice law. Your clients will thank you later.
Qualifies for 1.00 MCLE Technology Training hour.
Location: Room W209CDEF
4:00 Break
4:05 BREAKOUT SESSION:
Hanging Out to Hanging Up Your Shingle: A Roadmap to Owning and Selling a Law Practice
Rachel M. Blunk, ShipBob Inc., Burlington (Moderator)
Trey Bright, Bright Law PLLC, Fayetteville
Harrison A. Lord, Lord & Lindley PLLC, Charlotte
Anna V. Stearns, Sneed & Stearns PA, Black Mountain
Camille Stell, Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Company of NC, Cary
Have you ever considered owning your own law practice? Listen to an interactive panel discussion led by Rachel Blunk; Camille Stell, who advises and assists lawyers as they contemplate buying or selling a practice, along with Trey Bright and Anna Stearns, who purchased existing practices; and Harrison Lord, who left the security of firm life to hang out his shingle. Wherever you may be in your career, learn from lawyers who have lived the dream of owning their own practice, and those who have guided their journey.
Qualifies for 1.00 MCLE General hour.
Location: Room W209AB
OR
A Look At The Past and Future 125 Years of the NCBA
A. Todd Brown Sr., Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, Charlotte
Kearns Davis, Brooks Pierce McLendon Humphrey & Leonard LLP, Greensboro
Scheree Gilchrist, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Raleigh
Erik Mazzone, Outmanage LLC, Raleigh (Moderator)
Panelists discuss and recognize the journey of the first 125 years of the NCBA, while focusing on what the next 125 years are likely to mean for the profession and require of the NCBA.
Qualifies for 1.00 MCLE General hour.
Location: Room W209CDEF
5:05 Adjourn
* Indicates portion providing Professional Well-Being credit
‡ Indicates portion providing Technology Training credit