THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2024
8:25 Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:55 Welcome and Introductions
9:00 Civil Law Update
Eric M. David, Brooks Pierce, Raleigh
X. Lightfoot, Ward and Smith PA, Raleigh
Hear recent key decisions from the North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. This session also addresses substantive areas of civil law, Rules of Civil Procedure and Rules of Evidence.
10:00 Break
10:10 A Review of the Most Significant Business Court Decisions
Phillip J. "Phil" Mohr, Womble Bond Dickinson, Greensboro
Review decisions from the North Carolina Business Court over the last 12 months that are important for lawyers to know, both for their practice and for the clients whom they represent and advise.
11:10 Break
11:20 Family Law Update
Emily C. Jeske, Bosquez Porter Family Law, Raleigh
This year's family law update is a whirlwind overview of the most recent case law and legislative changes in the world of family law. The fast-paced discussion covers legal updates from the previous year on topics such as equitable distribution, child custody, child support, post-separation support, alimony, separation agreements, contempt, attorney's fees and more.
Qualifies for NC State Bar Family Law Specialization.
12:20 Lunch Break
1:20 Criminal Law Update
Kearns Davis, Brooks Pierce, Greensboro
Jan E. Pritchett, Schlosser & Pritchett, Greensboro
Kearns Davis and Jan Pritchett return to provide this year's criminal law update. In this session, Pritchett discusses key recent decisions by the North Carolina Supreme Court and North Carolina Court of Appeals, and Davis addresses significant federal cases from the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Qualifies for NC State Bar Criminal Law Specialization.
2:20 Break
2:30 Professional Responsibility: Countering the Rise of Incivility With Professionalism*
Gill P. Beck, U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina, Asheville
What are the causes of incivility and how does incivility differ from violations of the Rules of Professional Responsibility? How do we prepare ourselves for incivility arising in the practice of law? What behaviors should we avoid in responding to incivility? What are best practices for developing a civility skill set? Should we aspire to develop civility as a life skill, not just a trial or negotiation skill? This session focuses on practical tips for developing your civility skill set.
3:30 Break
3:40 Calm in the Midst of Chaos: Resilience Training†
Brad Pearce, Pearce Law PLLC, Charlotte
Practicing law is stressful, and often chaotic. Many more factors are out of our control than we care to admit. The more energy we exert trying to control the uncontrollable, the more chaotic and unmanageable our internal thoughts and feelings can become. There is hope! The good news is that resilience is a learned skill, not an innate quality. There are dozens of resilience tools, backed by scientific research, that we can practice and use to return to ourselves and a calmer state of mind and body. The resilience tools spotlighted are those the speaker has actively used in life and law practice.
4:40 Adjourn for the Day
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2024
8:25 Continental Breakfast
8:55 Announcements and Introductions
9:00 The Future of the Electronic Court System‡
M. Heath Gilbert Jr., Baucom Claytor Benton Morgan & Wood PA, Charlotte (Moderator)
Sarvani Jami, North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, Raleigh
Joseph A. Kyzer, North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, Raleigh
Michael T. "Mike" Silver, North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, Raleigh
Kristy S. Tarleton, North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, Raleigh
Heath Gilbert, NCBA Future of Law Committee member, leads a discussion with AOC personnel about the electronic future of law, including eFiling and Webex hearings.
10:00 Break
10:10 NC Employment Law Update
Laura Wetsch, Winslow Wetsch PLLC, Raleigh
This session covers new decisions made since November 2023 applicable to the practice of North Carolina employment law, as well as statutory and regulatory changes potentially impacting this practice.
11:10 Break
11:20 Real Property Case Law Update
Christopher L. "Chris" Burti, Statewide Title Inc., Farmville
Receive the latest real property updates to benefit your practice by learning about this year's most recent and impactful case law decisions.
Qualifies for NC State Bar Real Property Law Specialization.
12:20 Lunch Break
1:20 North Carolina State Bar Ethics Committee Year in Review*
Nichole McLaughlin, North Carolina State Bar, Raleigh
Wondering what the State Bar has been up to? Find out as we recap recently adopted ethics opinions, proposed ethics opinions, rule amendments adopted in 2023, changes to the random audit of trust accounts selection process, and changes to the CLE reporting requirements. This session also addresses the State Bar Council's initiative to provide guidance on succession planning.
2:20 Break
2:30 Estate Planning Update
Matthew S. McGonagle, Narron Wenzel PA, Smithfield
Review recent federal and North Carolina case law and statutory updates involving estates, gifts and trusts.
Qualifies for NC State Bar Estate Planning & Probate Law Specialization.
3:30 Break
3:40 Tech Tips for Attorneys: Navigating the Latest in Law Practice Management and Technology‡
Catherine Sanders Reach, North Carolina Bar Association, Cary
Finding the right tools can help law firms monitor trust balances, track time accurately, reduce error from re-keying, check for conflicts, help manage tasks and deadlines, calculate court deadlines, provide secure communication options, and so much more. In this session, we discuss how to break down the features and functions of law practice management software/applications (LPMS), how they may benefit your practice and your firm, and how to overcome decision paralysis. We also discuss issues regarding pricing, migration, integration, customization and training to make sure that you understand the total cost of ownership.
4:40 Adjourn
* Indicates portion providing Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit
† Indicates portion providing Professional Well-Being credit
‡ Indicates portion providing Technology Training credit