PRESIDENT, TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT BAR VOTE FOR ONE
Erika Nicole Jones
University of North Carolina School of Law, 2012
What is your theme song? "Survivor" by Destiny's Child
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You: Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. Rather, it's a display of wisdom and strength.
Favorite Career Highlight:
Being interviewed by “The New York Times” about prosecuting Venus Flytrap poachers
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? I LOVE game shows! I can never get enough of Family Feud, The Price is Right, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Press Your Luck or Weakest Link.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? Reaffirming my commitment to the legal profession at the Reaffirmation Ceremony held at the State Capitol.
PRESIDENT, WAKE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION VOTE FOR ONE
Megan Sherron
Campbell University School of Law
Campbell University School of Law, 2010
What is your theme song? “Boogie Shoes” by KC and the Sunshine Band. I love to dance.
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You: “Don’t let the first gust of wind blow you down.” This was something I heard early in life, and it continues to serve me well. Resilience is a skill developed only through challenge, so it is essential to persevere even when faced with adversity.
Favorite Career Highlight:
Celebrating 10 years of the Campbell Law Connections Program. Most mentoring programs fail within the first few years. We have worked hard as a community to make ours successful, and it was fun to celebrate the entire year.
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? I was on the dance team in college, so despite my limited athletic abilities, I was a college athlete.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? I have loved all the social events like the oyster roast and picnic. They are so special in bringing our bar together for a time of fellowship, community and fun. TREASURER | VOTE FOR ONE
Jordan H. Gross
Stauff & Gross, PLLC
Florida Coastal School of Law, 2009
What is your theme song? “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You:
The best advice I received from a mentor is to always be prepared, and it is more important what you do and how you act when no one is looking as that shows your true nature more than anything.
Favorite Career Highlight:
Becoming a Board Certified Specialist in Family Law by the North Carolina State Bar.
Jones Sherron
Gross
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What is something that would surprise people to know about you? I love to bake, especially cakes.
Name your favorite non-profit or community organization you support and why is it so important to you? Interact because I started my legal career representing victims of domestic violence and was able to see the invaluable service that Interact provides to victims in Wake County.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? Helping plan the 100 hours of CLE with the CLE Committee and WCBA staff.
SECRETARY | VOTE FOR ONE
Cox
Tiffany Grant Cox
North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services
North Carolina Central University School of Law, 2013
What is your theme song?
“Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley and The Wailers
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You: It doesn’t matter what you do, be the best at it.
Favorite Career Highlight: What uplifts me is every single time a client lets me know they are so thankful someone took the time to look into their case when no one else would. I also enjoy hearing of my colleagues efforts and victories for their clients as well. It motivates me to continue doing this important work!
What is something that would surprise people to know about you?
After I swore we would not get into travel sports for my twins, our weekends are now filled with travel baseball and soccer tournaments! The real surprise? I enjoy being out there and watching them play!
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? I just know it’s going to be the Bar Awards and Centennial Gala!
BAR COUNCILOR | GRACE SEAT – VOTE FOR ONE
J. Heydt Philbeck
Bailey & Dixon, LLP
Valparaiso University, 1992
What is your theme song?
“With Arms Wide Open” by Creed (as a father), “Forever” by John Michael Montgomery (as a husband), and “Rock and Roll” by Led Zepplin (as a lawyer)
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You:
As a “puppy” lawyer, the best advice was learned at the coffee shop on the sixth floor of the old courthouse. Two bits of advice stand out today 25-30 years later: Tommy Manning told me that he “tries murder cases the same way that he tries speeding cases—Only that there are different elements.” This advice was excellent for me as a young lawyer for two reasons: first, it instructed me not to be “intimidated” by a case that appears to have gravitas – it’s just different elements involved; and second, treat all cases as equally important—do not differentiate cases based on the level of complexity in terms of dedication and focus. Also, I recall Judge Salisbury sharing what her mentor, Russell Dement, taught her: “Some of the best clients that you’ll ever Philbeck
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serve wear their name on their shirts.” After 30 plus years of practice, I completely agree.
Favorite Career Highlight:
Many favorites, but one that stands out was when I represented a trooper who was fired for amending his report on an arrest by other troopers that involved (unreported) excessive force. The SHP dismissed my trooper claiming he was “untruthful” for not initially reporting an incident that the SHP claimed never happened. After 13 years of litigating the case in both the trial and appellate courts, a jury finally got to hear the evidence on the Whistleblower claim. The jury issued a verdict that fully compensated client for the harms, \ losses, and damages that he had incurred. Immediately after the jury verdict was read, I looked to my client with indescribable joy. The client looked at me with a tear in his eye – “after 13 years, I’ll be able to go home tonight and tell my sons that their daddy did nothing wrong.” I’ll never forget this.
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? As a four-year-old-child, I drowned –well, almost. As my parents’ attention was diverted while unloading our station wagon for a picnic at the lake, I had stepped off a pier thinking it was shallow water below. The water’s depth was over my head and I went straight to the bottom. I recall thinking I should do like what I saw in the cartoons – walk up from the bottom to the shore while under water. Thankfully, that was not my only option. Out of nowhere, an unknown man jumped in the water to pull me out and lay me on the top of the pier. As he was evaluating CPR, my parents noticed the stranger placing my little body back on the pier. To this day, I have no idea who the man was or how he suddenly appeared at the remote lakeshore. But I remind myself this during the tough times in life— every day is indeed a privilege.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? I’ve enjoyed the many WCBAsponsored “100 hours” of CLE throughout the year with interesting legal topics to mark centennial. I’m also looking forward to the Holiday Party this year at “The Barn.”
• Member, Tenth Judicial District Board of Directors
• Member, Tenth Judicial District’s Committee on Indigent Appointments
Other Bar Activities:
• Fellow, NC State Bar’s Board of Continuing Legal Education
• Past President, Craven-Everett American Inn of Court
• Mentor/Judge, Wake County Teen Court
• Volunteer attorney for domestic violence victims, Project
• Member, NC Bar Association Professionalism Committee
• Pro Bono Honor Society (2018-25)
• Fellow, American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
• Fellow, Melvin M. Belli Society
David L. Sherlin
Epstein Sherlin PLLC North Carolina Central University School of Law, 2004
What is your theme song?
Rocky Top…despite being a UNC grad, Rocky Top pays homage to my family in eastern Tennessee, it’s the first song blaring out the speakers at my house on football Saturdays!
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You: “Say thank you often, take pride in your profession, the greatest gift in life is to give.” Allan Head
Favorite Career Highlight: It’s a tie…being sworn in at the U.S. Supreme Court the same day that my firm argued a case before the Court and working as president of the WCBA alongside Nancy Gracy who was president of the Tenth Judicial District to lead the efforts in purchasing the current WCBA/Tenth offices.
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? I’m 77 Dave Matthews concerts in (and counting) and have been to 12 with my 19-year-old daughter
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? So many to choose from already but my favorite moment will 100% be the Gala!
WCBA/Tenth-related Activities:
• Past-President, Wake County Bar Association
• Board of Directors, 10th Judicial District/Wake County Bar Association
• Chair, Grievance Committee Tenth Judicial District
• Chair, Wake County Bar Association Nominations Committee
Sherlin
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• Co-Chair of Wake County Bar Association Building Committee
• Member, Wake County Bar Association Professionalism Committee and Wake County Bar Awards Committee
Other Bar Activities:
• International Society of Barristers
• NC Advocates for Justice Board of Governors
• North Carolina Bar Association Local Bar Outreach Committee
• NC Mock Trial Board of Directors
National Crime Victim’s Bar Association
BAR COUNCILOR | GRANT SEAT THROUGH DEC. 2027 – VOTE FOR ONE
Keith O. Gregory
Wake County Resident Superior Court Judge (elected in 2018), former Wake County District Court Judge (elected in 2010 and 2014)
North Carolina Central University School of Law, 1994 and Duke Law School, Master’s in Judicial Studies, 2023
What is your theme song? “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye
Best piece of advice a mentor ever gave you? My mentor told me to always treat the court staff with respect. He said that the clerks, deputies and court reporters can be extremely helpful to new lawyers.
Favorite career highlight: My favorite career highlight would be participating in the reunification of parents and their children while presiding in Abuse, Neglect and Dependency Court as a District Court Judge. Watching parents recover from substance abuse or mental health issues and being able to return their children, when appropriate was an honor to be a part of.
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? Most likely people would be surprised that while I was an undergraduate at the University of Virginia, from 1984 to 1988, I wrote hundreds of poems
and in 1989 tried to start a band like Hootie and the Blowfish. Unfortunately, unlike Darius Rucker, I could not sing, which is probably not surprising.
Did you have a favorite moment in the Centennial Celebration this year? Earlier this year I sat on a panel, titled “Mentoring the Next Generation,” hosted by both the Wake County Bar Association (WCBA) and Capital City Lawyers Association (CCLA). As a past president of CCLA, and as a member of the bar for the past 30 years, it gave me great joy to see the two associations sponsoring an event together.
WCBA/Tenth-related Activities:
• Board of Directors, Wake County Bar Association/ Tenth Judicial District Bar (2009-2011 and December 2016-2018)
• Board Member, Wake County Bar Association/10th Judicial District Bar, Professionalism Committee (2014-2018)
• Committee Member, Tenth Judicial District Bar, Fee Dispute Resolution (2005-2006)
Other Bar Activities:
• President, North Carolina Association of District Court Judges (October 2017-May 2018)
• Vice President, North Carolina Association of District Court Judges (October 2016-October 2017))
• Secretary, North Carolina Association of District Court Judges (October 2015-October 2016)
• Board Member, North Carolina State Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee (2002-2010)
Kris Hilscher
Sullivan & Hilscher Family Law
Campbell University School of Law, 2008
What is your theme song?
Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond
– because, like a good family law case, it’s timeless and you can’t help but sing along! In all seriousness, it reflects my approach to law: creating harmony in tough situations.
As a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist with more than 15 years of experience, and a knack for navigating complex military divorce cases, I strive to hit the right notes for clients and colleagues alike. Plus, who doesn’t love a good ‘Bum, bum, bum!’ to lighten the mood at a bar association event? Let’s keep the Wake County Bar Association singing strong.
Gregory
Hilscher
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Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You: My law partner, Mark Sullivan, has a sign in our office that quotes Thomas Edison: ‘Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.’ As a farm kid from way back, I knew those overalls well – hard work was my breakfast, lunch and dinner. I’ve carried that grit into my practice, whether I’m tackling complex military divorce cases, mentoring or doing valuable committee work. I have applied that advice to practicing law, and appreciate everything it has brought me – a wonderful legal community, an opportunity to serve and a thriving practice. I’m happy to roll up my sleeves (overalls optional) and seize opportunities to strengthen our bar.
Favorite Career Highlight: Choosing my favorite career highlight is like picking the best barbecue in NC… a very tough call! I was tempted to say getting published opinions in the NC Court of Appeals because assisting in crafting the law feels like winning a courtroom cook-off. But I’ve got to go with becoming a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML). I feel like I’ve graduated from the kids table, and made it to the family law feast after years of hard work, late nights and a few jokes to keep me sane.
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? This family law attorney trades his briefcase for a steering wheel when the courtroom clock stops ticking. I’m the proud owner of a Jeep Wrangler and a Corvette, a turn-of-the-21st-century classic… think dial-up and flip phones. I think of them as my legal yin and yang, both convertibles soaking up that glorious North Carolina weather. But one’s built for kicking up dust or sand, the other for cruising like I’m auditioning for a Formula 1 cameo. My love for the outdoors and these polar-opposite rides (hopefully) keep me grounded, just like my passion for serving our Wake County Bar community – with maybe a few pit stops for laughs along the way.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? It was difficult to pick just one favorite moment from the Wake County Bar Association’s centennial celebration. I’m going with the incredible lineup of CLEs that marked our 100th year. From sessions on cutting-edge law to workshops, the variety was like a legal buffet with something for everyone. As someone who has presented approximately 20 CLE’s, I value CLE’s, the knowledge shared, and very much appreciate the work that went into making this happen.
My work with WCBA/Tenth and CLE teaching experience made those sessions extra special. I’m running to keep our bar’s learning legacy vibrant, hopefully with a side of lawyerly wit to keep us smiling.
WCBA/Tenth-related Activities:
• Social Committee Co-Chair, 2020
• Social Committee Appointed Member, 2021-2022
• Bench Bar Committee Appointed Member, 2023-2025
• Grievance Committee Appointed Member, 2025
Other Bar Activities:
• American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
o Fellow, 2024-present
o CLE Committee, 2025
• American Bar Association (ABA):
o Family Law Section, Military Committee: Chair, 2023-2026; Co-Chair, 2022-2023; Vice Chair, 2021-2022
o Family Law Section, Trial Practice Committee: Co-Chair, 2025-2026
o Standing Committee on Legal Assistance for Military Personnel: Appointed Member, 20222025; Appointed Special Advisor, 2025-2026
o Military Lawyers Coordinating Committee, 2022
o GPSolo Family Law Committee, Member, 2021-present
• North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA), Family Law Section:
o Professionalism Committee, Appointed Member, 2024-2025, 2025-2026
o Continuing Legal Education Advisory Committee, Appointed Member, 2021-2024
o NC State Bar Family Law Certified Specialist Mentor, 2021
• Lee County Bar Association:
o President, 2011-2012
o Vice President, 2010-2011
• 2022 NC Pro Bono Honor Society Member
BAR COUNCILOR | RADER SEAT VOTE FOR ONE
Russell D. Babb
Tharrington Smith LLP University of North Carolina School of Law, 1999
What is your theme song? There are so many good ones for a criminal defense lawyer. I’d say either “Lawyers, Guns & Money” or “I Fought the Law.”
Babb
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Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You:
Don’t have coffee with your clients. This is especially good advice for criminal attorneys – because our cases often end in tears.
Favorite Career Highlight: I had the great privilege of trying a murder case with Wade Smith. I learned so much in those two weeks, but the best part by far was Wade “holding court” at dinner every night.
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? I played bass guitar in a jazz band years ago.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? I attended the Reaffirmation Ceremony at the State Capitol in April, where a large group of lawyers reaffirmed our commitment to our Oath and Creed of Professionalism.
WCBA/Tenth-related Activities:
• Wake County Bar Board Of Directors, 2014-2016
• Strategic Planning Committee, appointed twice, 2015 & 2018
• Tenth Judicial District Bar Grievance Committee, 2018-2020
• Tenth Judicial District Bar President-Elect, 2020
• Tenth Judicial District Bar President, 2021
• WCBA/Tenth Nominations Committee: 2020-present o Chair, 2022
Plato Collins Barwick III Barwick Attorney, PLLC d/b/a Barwick Mediation Wake Forest University School of Law, 1988
What is your theme song? “Funky Side” by Donna the Buffalo and Matthew Broderick’s lip sync version of Twist and Shout/Beatles during the parade in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ plus anything Motown, the Cars, the Doors, Van Morrison and Squeeze!
Barwick III
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You: Life is wonderful but it is going to slap you in the face and challenge you on occasion – more than you can imagine. Not what happens to you but how you interpret it and
how you react to it is going to get you through it in the best manner possible.
Favorite Career Highlight: Being sworn in to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court with my wife and three boys looking on and then visiting with Justices Ginsburg and Thomas after the ceremony (and being able to share with Justice Thomas that I had been fortunate to sample some of his mom’s handpicked crabmeat from Pin Point, Ga., his hometown – he was quite surprised!!)
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? I cold plunge outside in almost any body of water I can find almost every morning all year long.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? Every time we got together. I love the camaraderie and fellowship and friendships we all share together as lawyers in Wake County and the Tenth Judicial District. I think our bar is one of a kind in that department!
WCBA/Tenth-related Activities:
• Board member, Wake County Bar Association/Tenth Judicial District Bar
• Former co-chair, WCBA Social Committee
Other Bar Activities:
• Board certified specialist, Workers Compensation, NC Board of Specialization
• Certified Superior Court Mediator
• National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
• Speaker at CLE seminars, including NCBA Workers’ Compensation annual meeting
• Invited guest to NCIC’s Education Seminar
BAR COUNCILOR | BELL SEAT VOTE FOR ONE
Julie L. Bell
District Court Judge, Tenth Judicial District University of North Carolina School of Law, 1992
What is your theme song? “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack
What is something that would surprise people to know about you?
I write short raps and perform them.
Bell
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? The park clean-up day at Chavis.
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Kevin Boxberger District Court Judge, Tenth Judicial District North Carolina Central University School of Law, 2013
What is your theme song?
“Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You: When I became a non-commissioned
officer in the Air Force and started supervising airmen, the chief master sergeant of my unit told me to remember one thing: ask your airmen how they are doing. Everyone has stressors in their everyday life and asking that simple question could change the course of their day.
Favorite Career Highlight: There are several, but I am most proud of earning peer-voted awards.
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? Contrary to my wishes, my house is like a zoo. We have a goldendoodle, conure, budgie, leopard gecko and a hognose snake. Free admission if anyone wants to take a tour.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? No.
Meghan N. Knight
Lynch & Eatman, LLP University of North Carolina School of Law, 2006
What is your theme song? "Next to Normal" by Lucius. It's about finding people who celebrate your quirks.
Best Piece of Advice
a Mentor Ever Gave You: You've got to practice law in a way that lets you keep being yourself.
Favorite Career Highlight: Year after year, I find that my favorite moments as a lawyer are the opportunities to connect with young people interested in the profession, whether through informal conversations with students or more formal programs like Lunch with a Lawyer.
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? I love to swim and (finally) learned how to swim butterfly at age 48. Old dog, new trick.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? I have two. (1) I had a surprisingly good time picking up trash at Pullen Park during the Centennial Day of Service. (2) The Centennial Reaffirmation at the State Capitol was a moving reflection on practicing law with integrity and professionalism.
Elysia Prendergast-Jones
Legal Aid of NC, Raleigh Office North Carolina Central School of Law, 2008
What is your theme song? “All I do is Win” by DJ Khaled.
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You: Protect your reputation, it walks into a room before you do and stays after you leave.
Favorite Career Highlight: My first published Court of Appeals published win was my favorite career highlight.
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? I was on the Judge Steve Harvey show.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? My favorite moment for centennial celebration was the picture we all took as the WCBA bar at the May picnic.
Warren Savage Lawyers Mutual Campbell University School of Law, 1996
What is your theme song?
“Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You: “Define your own wins.” –Tricia Shields
Favorite Career Highlight: Serving on the State Bar Ethics Committee for the past 11 years.
Boxberger
Knight
Prendergast-Jones
Savage
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What is something that would surprise people to know about you? I have a collection of ‘70’s and ‘80’s funk records.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? Cleaning up Raleigh Parks on Centennial Day of Service.
Mallory Underwood
Campbell University School of Law
Wake Forest University School of Law, 1995
What is your theme song? “Get Along” by Kenny Chesney
Best Piece of Advice a Mentor Ever Gave You: I have gotten lots of great advice over the years, but perhaps the most memorable was the colorful reminder that "two heads are better than one, even if one is a goat's head."
Favorite Career Highlight: Arguing before the North Carolina Supreme Court was an honor and a highlight of my time as a practicing attorney. Now that I get to work with law students every day, one of my favorite things is when a student tells me that something I have been able to help them with has eased their mind or given them confidence to take the next step on their own legal journey.
What is something that would surprise people to know about you? As a kid I grew up riding horses. I loved it but life got busy and I eventually had to leave it behind to make room for work and family. I have recently been able to start riding again, and although it's a lot harder than I remember this time around, I love that as an adult, I get to "re-learn" something that brings me so much joy.
Did you have a favorite moment in the centennial celebration this year? I had a great time at the Mordecai Picnic in May. The weather was perfect and the food and fellowship were excellent. It was really special when everyone gathered for the group photo at the end. You could feel the camaraderie and sense of shared purpose as everyone squeezed together and smiled for the drone!
