School of Law to host SJREI gala

The North Carolina Central University School of Law will host the Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute gala on April 15, 2023, at the NCCU Student Center, 500 Nelson St. Irving Joyner, legendary civil rights lawyer and NCCU law professor, will serve as the keynote speaker.

The gala aims to bring together community leaders, social justice advocates and legal experts who are committed to working together in the spirit of social and racial equity, a news release stated.

Established in 2022, the institute addresses systemic racism and other forms of inequality through interdisciplinary problem solving that researches the legacy of racial injustice and advanc- es a just and prosperous society for all people. Guided by a variety of values, ranging from integrity and collaboration to vested community engagement, it focuses on issues of economic, housing, health, education and criminal justices.

“NCCU School of Law has been educating social justice advocates for over 80 years and most of our graduates accept public service positions, so the initiative aligns with our mission,” said Malik Edwards, interim dean of NCCU’s School of Law. “With all the turmoil occurring throughout the world, we are using our resources to help bring about a world that is more just and less racist. Our Social Justice and Racial Equity

Institute will help us to achieve that goal.”

The SJREI will also establish a research center to conduct and sponsor empirical research, draft and publish white papers, and host conferences and workshops on social justice issues. Guided by its research and workshops, the SJREI will work with community partners to engage in social impact initiatives that provide direct assistance to individuals and communities in need.

To learn more about NCCU’s Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute and to purchase tickets for the gala, visit law. nccu.edu or email sjrei@nccu.edu. The deadline to purchase tickets is April 3.

Firm names office managing partner for Charlotte

Womble Bond Dickinson announced that Sarah Motley Stone has been named office managing partner in Charlotte.

Stone advises corporations, individuals, and public entities in resolving complex business disputes, defending class actions, and responding to federal regulatory and state attorney general investigations.

Stone serves on the Mecklenburg County Bar (MCB) Association’s Board of Directors and is the secretary and chair of the Development and Marketing Committee for Child Care Resources, Inc.

Hall Booth Smith opens new office in Raleigh

Hall Booth Smith, P.C. has opened a new office in Raleigh.

The HBS Raleigh office will be led by new HBS Partner, Maria P. Wood, according to an HBS news release. Wood will be joined by associate attorneys Elliott Andrews and Brian Manikowski.

With the addition of this location, HBS now has three North Carolina offices: Raleigh, Asheville and Charlotte.

Wood specializes in medical malpractice, aging services, correctional health care, professional malpractice and ethics, appellate and general liability matters. She earned her J.D. from Wake Forest University, and a B.A. with honors, in Political Science from the University of North Carolina. Andrews represents long-term care facilities, physicians, insurance carriers and businesses through all stages of litigation in aging services, business litigation, general liability, and medical malpractice matters. He earned his J.D. from Campbell University School of Law, and his B.A. in Psychology from Wake Forest University.

Martin & Jones names two new shareholders

Attorneys Hunt Willis and Steven Corriveau have been named shareholders of the Raleigh law firm Martin & Jones, PLLC, according to a news release.

Willis joined the firm in August of 2013 and Corriveau joined in May of 2015.

Willis has tried many significant personal injury cases to successful jury verdicts throughout the state and beyond, and negotiated settlements in many significant cases before and during trial.

Corriveau frequently tries cases before the North Carolina Industrial Commission, and he is expanding his role into some of the firm’s more complex civil litigation.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University, Willis was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army, where he served as a captain. Corriveau graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2013.

Ellis & Winters partner lands Trial Lawyers role

Ellis & Winters managing partner Leslie Packer is now the vice chair of the NC Chapter of the American College of Trial Lawyers. In the following year, she will be named chair of the organization. Packer also presented Recent Decisions of

Relevance at the meeting.

The American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) is composed of preeminent members of the Trial Bar from the United States and Canada and is recognized as the leading trial lawyers organization in both countries.

Robinson Gray adds member to staff

Matthew B. Hill has joined law firm, Robinson Gray as a member, according to a news release.

Hill’s practice primarily focuses on the areas of commercial real estate, banking, and finance. He regularly provides guidance and assistance to clients on all phases of commercial real estate development including site identification and acquisition, construction, financing, leasing and disposition.

Hill received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Davidson College in 1997, and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2001.

Attorney joins Raleigh-based personal injury firm

Claudia Barceló recently joined Thorp Law, a Raleigh-based personal injury firm, as an associate attorney.

Since she’s a native Spanish speaker, the addition of Claudia expands Thorp Law’s capabilities to handle cases for Spanish-speaking clients without having to work through a translator.

An advocate for those who need a champion and a voice, Claudia also serves as Guardian ad Litem in the 10th Judicial District, where she advocates on behalf of children in legal proceedings. In addition, she is a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.

Cranfill Sumner promotes attorney

Cranfill Sumner LLP today announced that Anna Hedgepeth has been promoted to the position of director of strategy and business development.

joined BCLP as the new global leader of the firm’s Heath Care Practice and a partner in the firm’s Corporate & Finance Transactions Department. Resident in the Charlotte office, Hutchens heads the firm’s dynamic Health Care Practice working with clients firmwide.

Law firm founder appointed to state commission

release.Attendees of the ceremony included justices of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, judges of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and family and friends of Judge Riggs. Supreme Court of North Carolina

Anna Hedgepeth

In this new role, Hedgepeth is responsible for developing and setting firm strategy and oversight of implementation of strategic initiatives. She advises the firm’s Management Committee on the firm’s strategic position while also leading the strategic planning committee and business development and marketing team.

She is a graduate of Campbell Law School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Law firm adds to national health care team

International law firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner announced the addition of Counsel Kelly Koeninger to the firm’s Health Care Practice. Kelly will be resident in BCLP’s Charlotte office and will work across the firm’s global 30-office platform. Koeninger focuses her practice on strategic, operational and compliance matters for health care clients and also counsels clients on telehealth, privacy and cybersecurity issues.She will work closely with Jennifer Hutchens, who recently

North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul M. Newby recently appointed Raleigh attorney Kieran J. Shanahan, founder of Shanahan Law Group, PLLC, to the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission.The commission was established by the N.C. General Assembly in 2006 to investigate and evaluate post-conviction claims of factual innocence.

Shanahan is one of a select group of North Carolinians to have earned appointments from all three branches of state government. Former Gov. Pat McCrory appointed Shanahan as secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety, and he received a Legislative appointment to the Centennial Authority, where he currently serves as vice chairman.The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, which was created by the N.C. General Assembly in 2006, is the first commission of its kind in the nation. The Commission has reviewed over 3,000 innocence claims and conducted multiple hearings.

Judge takes the oath of office at NC Court of Appeals

Judge Allison Riggs has been formally invested as judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals.She was sworn in during a ceremony in the Court of Appeals courtroom on Thursday, Feb. 9, according to a news

Associate Justice Anita Earls conducted the presentation to the Court, and North Carolina Court of Appeals Chief Judge Donna Stroud administered the oath of office.Riggs was appointed to the Court by Governor Roy Cooper after serving as the Co-Executive Director and Chief Counsel for Voting Rights at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, the release stated.Previously, she was a staff attorney and senior staff attorney at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. Riggs was a civil rights litigator and community lawyer who has served as lead counsel in numerous voting rights cases, including twice arguing before the United States Supreme Court.Riggs received her bachelor’s degree, master's degree and her Juris Doctor from the University of Florida

North Carolina Court of

Appeals

Judge Invested

Judge Julee Flood has been formally invested as Judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals during a swearing-in ceremony in the Court of Appeals courtroom on Thursday, Feb. 23, according to a news release.Attendees of the ceremony included justices of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, judges of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and family and friends of Flood. The Honorable Robert N. Hunter, Jr. (Ret.) conducted the presentation to the Court, and North Carolina Court of Appeals Chief Judge Donna Stroud administered the oath of office.

Flood received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Science from the University of Florida; an M.P.A. from the University of Maine; a J.D. from the University New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law; and a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, specializing in higher education law and policy.