Wake County Bar Association Est. 1925
Vol. XXXVII, Number 8
August 2011
Message From The President
Upcoming Meetings
Christie S. Cameron
LOOKING AHEAD: WCBA Meeting Schedule August No Meeting September No Meeting October 4 12:15 p.m. North Raleigh Hilton November 1 12:15 p.m. Woman’s Club Please check the Bar Flyer to confirm the meeting location.
Serving Our Members The down economy of the last three years has not bypassed the legal profession – even in a relatively stable area like Wake County. Whole groups of our profession have suffered, some of which you may not have suspected. The newer attorneys can’t find jobs, have school loans to pay, and are putting up their shingles in a very difficult climate with very little support. The state government attorneys are seeing their jobs cut, and, if they are fortunate enough to maintain their position, their work-load has heavily increased without a raise in four years. The Wake County courthouse personnel have suffered large cuts, and the effects of those reach every attorney. Hardest hit perhaps, because they have the furthest to fall, are some of the seasoned, senior attorneys in firms who suddenly find that their transactional or real estate clients have failed and they are struggling to find the business that they always had. Used to pulling the most weight monetarily in the firm, they find themselves in a new climate which makes this difficontinued on page 2
August There will not be a meeting of the WCBA in August, and September features our Family Picnic. On Oct. 4, join us at the North Raleigh Hilton for another outstanding program.
US Supreme Court Swearing In November 14, 2011 Washington, DC
Interested? See details on page 3
Professionalism Award Nominations Sidney S. Eagles, Jr., Chair
Nominations for the Joseph Branch Professionalism Award are being accepted through Sept. 2, 2011. The award, which is to be presented each year to the practicing lawyer (25 or more active years in the practice of law) in Wake County who best exhibits the qualities of professionalism, will be presented at the November WCBA meeting. If you have a name to submit, please use form on page 12.
Inside This Issue Activity Page Aug. 31 WCBA CLE event ...................5 Family Celebration .............................6 Professionalism Award Nomination Form ..........................................12 Golf Tournament ..............................14 Bowling League ...............................15
Please Note!
DEADLINE
September Issue August 16, 2011 Please Note: If materials are received after the deadline, they may be published in a subsequent issue of the Wake Bar Flyer. Send news and articles to: Lucy Austin, Editor Wake Bar Flyer NC Court of Appeals PO Box 888 Raleigh, NC 27602-0888 Phone 919-612-5085 Email ltaustinlegal@gmail.com Send typewritten copy or ads on disk or email (PDF files preferred) to: Whitney von Haam Wake County Bar Association P.O. Box 3686 Cary, N.C. 27519-3686 whitney@wakecountybar.org Additional deadlines Issue Date Submission Deadline October 2011 September 13 November 2011 October 5 December 2011 November 15
Typography: Capital Letters, Inc. (481-1011)
Message from the President continued from page 1 cult. It is not only the attorneys that suffer, but their fellow employees, families and friends. I have heard stories of the suffering throughout the first half of my Presidency. I have sought the advice of former leaders in the Bar and current leaders as to how we can reach and assist our friends in need. Many point to the programs that we currently have in place to help our friends in the Bar. Finding mentors for new attorneys, BarCARES, free CLE for WCBA members and the Lawyer Assistance Program (formerly the Pals program) (http://www.nclap.org/ services.asp) are all forms of services available. Is this enough? When someone is depressed and suffering a blow to their self-esteem, it may be hard to steer oneself to an area of assistance. We may need our friends to help steer us to the assistance that the Lawyer Assistance Program and the BarCARES program provide. All of us should take the time to watch the following video produced by the BarCARES program, which features two of our leading attorneys in Wake County who bravely and graciously share their personal struggles. http://www.ncbar.org/ featured-videos/barcares-video.aspx. There is more information on this program at http:// www.ncbar.org/about/barcares.aspx, and I also encourage you to look closely at the Lawyer Assistance Program. What more can our Tenth Judicial District and WCBA do, however? One thing we are planning to do is have a special CLE program scheduled for August 31, immediately following the Family Law update CLE. This program will be geared to learning to live and thrive in the newer economy. It will focus on resources for those currently in need, and it will focus on trends in the legal profession. The program will include
a presentation by Erik Mazzone of the NC Bar Association Center for Practice Management, and Judge Bob Hunter of the N.C. Court of Appeals and president of the BarCARES program, will focus on resources available to attorneys. After the CLE, the social committee is setting up dinners with downtown restaurants for those who would like to continue the conversation with their peers and their spouses. We are still looking for ways that we as a Bar can assist in the Tenth Judicial District. Please share your thoughts with the leadership and with our Executive Director, Whitney von Haam (whitney@wakecountybar.org). We’d love to hear from you.
BarCARES
Confidential Attorney Resource and Enrichment Services Attorney Coverage (A Benefit of Your Tenth Judicial District Membership) Family Member Coverage (A Benefit of WCBA Membership)
Confidential u Free u Professional Assistance With
Personal Issues
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Individual Emotional Stress Interpersonal Stress/Conflict Physical Symptoms of Stress Marital/Family Problems Substance Abuse Retirement Issues Personal Financial Concerns Medical Problems
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Job Dissatisfaction or Job Matching Problems Substandard Performance Office Communication Intra-firm Conflict Career Reassessment Attorney Performance Evaluations Professional Financial Concerns
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Professional Issues
Call 1-800-640-0735 24 Hours Per Day In Wake County, you can also call 919-929-1227
2 — Wake Bar Flyer
2011 U.S. Supreme Court Swearing-In Trip and Ceremony The WBCA has been allotted 25 spaces to present candidates for admission to the U.S. Supreme Court on November 14, 2011 in Washington, D.C. Each admittee is allowed to bring one guest into the courtroom. Applicants must have been in practice at least 3 years and be in good standing with the North Carolina State Bar. If you are interested in participating, please go to the Supreme Court website for more details on the requirements for admission and the application process at http://www. supremecourtus.gov/bar/baradmissions.html. John M. Moye (919-420-1821) or jmoye@kilpatrickstockton.com will begin accepting fully completed application with the $200 application fee on August 1, 2011 on a first come, first served basis. The deadline for applications will be the earlier of the receipt of the 25th application or September 21, 2011.
as all expenses associated with the application process. There is a $150 charge for the events surrounding the ceremony. There are two receptions planned. The first is on the evening of November 13, 2011 as the group gathers in Washington, D.C. the night before the ceremony. There will also be a reception at the Court immediately following the ceremony which, in the past, has been attended by various Supreme Court justices. We hope that this event will be special and memorable for all involved. If you have any questions, or you or your firm would like to sponsor events surrounding the ceremony, please contact Ryan Shuirman (rshuirman@ ymwlaw.com; 919-835-0900), Bryan Brice (bryan@attybryanbrice.com; 919-754-1600).
Participants will be responsible for their transportation, meal, and lodging expenses, as well
Please note: New Email Addresses for WCBA Staff Whitney von Haam: Whitney@wakecountybar.org Shaula Brannan: Shaula@wakecountybar.org Stephanie McGee: Stephanie@wakecountybar.org Kathy Ruppert: Kathyr@wakecountybar.org
Memorial Scholarship Fund Brian O. Beverly, Endowment Scholarship Award and Oversight Committee Chair The WCBA Memorial Scholarship Fund is a means for individuals and firms to make donations in the memory of, or in honor of, WCBA members. The fund is used to provide law school scholarships for Wake County residents. The Endowment Committee maintains a roster of donors and honorees. Memorial gifts and honoraria are acknowledged directly to the families of the deceased or honored member. If you or your firm wish to make a contribution, please contact Whitney von Haam at 919-657-1572 or whitney@ wakecountybar.org.
2011 Bridge the Gap Program Friday October 7, 2011 Wake County Courthouse, Seventh Floor, Room 700 More details to follow This program is an excellent opportunity for new attorneys to become acquainted with local judges and officials. All persons interested in attending contact Andrew Flynt, apf@youngmoorelaw.com, or Michelle Greene, mag@youngmoorelaw.com.
N.C. Supreme Court Library The North Carolina Supreme Court Library is located on the fifth floor, Justice Building, 2 East Morgan Street, Raleigh. To gain access to the facility, attorneys should provide their state bar number and photographic identification to the guard on duty. Employees of attorneys should present a completed visitor authorization form (see Library’s website for this form) or library card. State employees need only show employee badges to gain access. Normal hours of operation for the facility are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Holiday Schedule Labor Day.......................September 5 Veteran’s Day.................November 11 Thanksgiving..........November 24–25 August 2011 — 3
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4 — Wake Bar Flyer
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Talk Therapy Works: Could It Help You? By Emily Haas, Lawyers Support Committee
Does “talk therapy” really work? For many years, psychologists have touted its benefits. Now, medical studies verify their claim. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, (fMRI), scientists and medical researchers are able to study how the brain reacts to stressors and how talk therapy modifies those reactions. When an individual goes through talk therapy, he learns to recognize, logically evaluate, and verbalize his feelings. These mental activities occur in the portion of the brain that mitigates against stressors. As a result of that mental activity, the portion of the brain that produces stress hormones begins to decrease production back to normal levels. Some scientists have hypothesized that engaging in talk therapy and its associated mental exercises over time cause actual changes in how the brain functions under stress and anxiety conditions.
If you are struggling with stress and anxiety, talk therapy may be a beneficial option to consider. The Tenth Judicial District Bar provides all members with three free confidential counseling sessions through the BarCARES program. The immediate family of members of the Wake County Bar Association may also take advantage of these services. The BarCARES program provides counseling, to include talk therapy, for a wide range of personal, family, and work related issues. To learn more, access the eBrochure at www.wakecountybar.org/images/ BarCARESbrochure.pdf.
Bits ’n’ Pieces The Workers’ Compensation Section of the N.C. Advocates for Justice recently recognized Leonard Jernigan “For extraordinary service rendered to the Section and in furtherance of the preservation of justice for injured workers in North Carolina.” Several lawyers were honored for their efforts concerning the recent legislation concerning revisions to the Workers’ Compensation Act.
Emily Haas is an associate at Coats & Bennett and a member of the WCBA Lawyers Support Committee.
Two CLE’s in One! Take advantage of one or both of these CLE opportunities on August 31 -- FREE to WCBA members
WCB A CLE
2011 Family Law Seminar and Supporting our Members During a Tough Economy (includes Substance Abuse and Ethics credit) Wednesday, August 31 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Raleigh Convention Center, Room 306B Unfortunately, lunch will not be served.
The 2011 Family Law Seminar - 2.5 credit hours Check-in begins at noon. Program begins at 12:30 p.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m. Topics include: the Future of Family Court, How to Effectively Use the Family Court Calendaring Website, A View from the Bench: New Rules and Calendaring Changes and a panel discussion by the Supporting our Members During a Tough Economy - 2 credit hours, including substance abuse and ethics Check-in begins at 3:15 p.m. Program begins at 3:30 p.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. Erik Mazzone, NCBA Director of the Center for Practice Management presenting “Doing More with Less - Ethics and Technology in the Law Firm” and Judge Bob Hunter, NC Court of Appeals and President of the BarCARES presenting “Your Brother and Sister’s Keeper -- Duty to others in our profession” Following the program, the Social Committee is hosting dinner discussion groups at downtown restaurants. To register for one or both of the CLE programs, please go to http://fs7.formsite.com/ncbar/form6/index.html. If you need additional help, please contact Kathy Ruppert at kathyr@wakecountybar.org or 919-657-1573.
August 2011 — 5
Wake County Bar Association Family Celebration Lake Wheeler Park Shelters 8 & 9 September 9, 2011
4:00 Clown Face painting Caricature artist Games for children Other surprises
6:00 Barbecue ’n’ Fixin’s and Hot Dogs
7:30 Celebration comes to a close There is no charge for Wake County Bar Association Members and their families.
Lake Wheeler Park 6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC Directions: Using Interstate 40 in Raleigh as a reference point, take exit 297 [Lake Wheeler Road] and proceed south [away from Raleigh]. Continue on Lake Wheeler Rd. for approximately 4 1/2 miles. The park entrance will be on the right side [Stoney Road]. Follow this road around to a cleared area with shelters on the left, this is where the picnic is. Parking is on your left just before the picnic area, you will walk through the trees to get to the picnic area.
To help with our guarantee, please complete the bottom of this form and return (by fax to 657-1564) or email to kathyr@wakecountybar.org by September 6 Name ____________________________________________ Daytime Phone _________________________ Number Attending _____ Adults _____ Children Ages of children ___________________________________________________________________________
6 — Wake Bar Flyer
Public Service Projects Public Service Committee Carrie Barbee and Michelle Cofield, Co-Chairs Please consider the following requests for assistance: The Capital Area Teen Court is an alternative sentencing program for first offender youth who commit a misdemeanor and admit guilt to the charge. The Teen Court is funded by a grant from the North Carolina General Assembly. Due to budget cuts, however, the Teen Court received $20,000 less than it needs this fiscal year to run its operations. One way WCBA members can help is to provide them with office supplies they would otherwise not be able to afford. Amy Hall, the administrator of Teen Court (919-8565671), provided the following list: • standard staples • folders with pockets on each side with fasteners in the center • paper clips (large and small) • pens (Sanford Uniball) • scotch tape refills • printer paper • colored/black ink for Dell 948 printer • Post-it notes • clear address labels • colored/black ink for Dell Photo 966 printer (for 2 printers) • manila folders (3 tab positions) • Sharpie highlighters • correction tape/white out tape • legal pads • pencils • liquid paper
Need to Reach Us? Here’s How Wake County Bar Association
Guardian ad Litem — Volunteers are needed to serve either as (1) guardians ad litem, to investigate and advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in juvenile court, or (2) pro bono appellate attorneys, to either appeal juvenile court decisions or defend against appeals on behalf of the best interests of the children. If you are interested in option one, contact Naeime Livingston at 919-755‑4120 or naeime.n.livingston@ nccourts.org. If you are interested in appellate work, please contact Anne W. Johnson or anne.w.johnson@nccourts.org or visit their website at www.nccourts.org/Citizens/GAL/ Default.asp. YMCA Big Brothers Big Sisters — Volunteers are needed to mentor youth ages 8–16 in the Wake County area. Training and ongoing support are provided. Required time is extremely flexible. If interested, contact Ruel Charles or Eva Hobson at 919-828‑1140. The RL Mace Universal Design Institute (www.udinstitute.org) – a Trianglebased 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to education and training in making the built environment accessible to all persons regardless of ability, needs the following: – LCD projector – computer printer (any make/model) Tax donation credit available. If you know of a community need, contact Elaine Whitford at 919-789‑9315 or whitelaine@aol.com.
Phone 919-677-9903 Fax 919-657-1564 Mail P.O. Box 3686 Cary, NC 27519-3686 President Christie S. Cameron Supreme Court of North Carolina 2 East Morgan Street Raleigh, NC 27601 Phone 831-5700 csc@sc.state.nc.us Staff Email – Note our new addresses! whitney@wakecountybar.org kathyr@wakecountybar.org shaula@wakecountybar.org stephanie@wakecountybar.org
Wake Bar Flyer Chair Mike Tadych Stevens Martin Vaughn & Tadych, PLLC 1101 Haynes Street, Suite 100 Raleigh, NC 27604-1455 Phone 919-582-2319 Fax 866-593-7695 mike@smvt.com Editor Lucy T. Austin NC Court of Appeals PO Box 888 Raleigh, NC 27602-0888 Phone 919-612-5085 ltaustinlegal@gmail.com
We greatly appreciate your help. Assistance League of the Triangle Area (ALTA) Thrift Shop (Antiques to Zippers Resale Shop) is located at 1689 North Market Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609. (919-875-8901) Shop for household furnishings and much more. Volunteers work to support Operation School Bell, WIN (Women In Need), KID’S PLACE at Wake Med (919-856-5671) and scholarships. Many of these programs support family development. The Thrift Store is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ALTA accepts donated items and will provide receipts for income tax purposes. August 2011 — 7
Other Meetings Collaborative Lawyers
Emerging Family Lawyers
Wake County Family Lawyers
Attorneys interested in or practicing family collaborative law are invited to meet for lunch and discussion on the first Friday of each month. Rotating location. For details contact Randolph (Tré) Morgan, III at 919781‑1311 or tmorgan@nichollscrampton.com.
Early- and mid-career family law attorneys are invited to meet for lunch on the third Friday of each month. Gatherings are informal, and discussion topics run the gamut from legal issues, to local rules and procedures, to building and managing your domestic practice in Wake County. For more information contact Jeff Gillette at 919-7478290 or jeff@GilletteLawNC.com.
Attorneys interested in family law issues are invited to meet for dinner and discussion on the third Wednesday of each month. For more information, please contact familylawyers@rosen.com or the Rosen Law Firm at 919-787-6668 ext. 0.
Wake County Real Property Lawyers Association The Wake County Real Property Lawyers Association meets for lunch and brief program on the third Wednesday of each month at the Cardinal Club at noon. Please contact Maureen Miller at mmiller@bridgetrusttitle.com for reservations and further information.
Capital City Lawyers Association The Capital City Lawyers Association meets the first Thursday of every month. During our meetings, we conduct “Law Experience Seminars” and provide CLE opportunities. Please see a member for additional information or contact Dayatra Matthews at dmatthews@bdixon.com. Please visit us at www.thecapitalcitylawyers.org.
Wake County Chapter – Christian Legal Society The CLS meets on the third Friday of every month at Pam’s Farmhouse off Western Blvd. (12:30 p.m.). We have a keynote speaker (local attorney, clergy, parachurch organization leader, etc.) who gives an inspiring talk, usually geared towards applying faith to legal practice. To be placed on the CLS monthly email or fax list, call Rik Lovett at 919-783‑9333 or riklovett@ mindspring.com.
Solo Women In Law Women attorneys who practice law solo and are interested in networking are invited to a monthly lunch of SWIL. Lunches are held on the second Thursday of every month at noon at Rancherita on the corner of Six Forks Rd. and Sawmill Rd. in north Raleigh. For information call Jan at 919-870-1770 or Leslee at 919-846-6585.
8 — Wake Bar Flyer
Senior Lawyers Any Wake County Bar member who publicly admits that he or she is 60 years of age is welcome and encouraged to attend. Senior Lawyers meet the third Tuesday of every month (except June, July and August). Meetings are held at the University Club with lunch at 12:30 followed by a speaker. For more information, contact Bob Smith at rsmith@smithlegal.com or 919-832-5000.
Wake Women Attorneys Wake Women Attorneys invites you to attend its monthly luncheon on Thursday, August 11. It will be held at noon at Sitti located at 137 S Wilmington St. Raleigh, N.C. 27601. Telephone: 919-239-4070. Our speakers will be Carla Liberatore and Suzanne Stroud, certified financial advisors for Merrill Lynch. Both Ms. Liberatore and Ms. Stroud have over 40 years of experience. The topic of discussion will be, “Avoiding the Top Ten Mistakes Women Investors Make With Their Money.” Lunch is $13/members; $17/non-members. Please RSVP to Christine Ryan at cryan@ foryourlife.com by noon on Friday, August 5.
WCBA Breast Cancer Support Group Come Eat Lunch With Friends! The Breast Cancer Support Group meets periodically at 12:15 p.m. at 42nd Street Oyster Bar (508 W. Jones St.). Anyone who is a Wake County lawyer or family member is welcome to eat with us. We have camaraderie, compassion and confidentiality, and we always have a great lunch. Call or email Cindy Wittmer (919-890-4171 or cindywittmer@parkerpoe.com) for information on the next meeting or to get your name on the email list.
Wake County Academy of Criminal Trial Lawyers WCACTL provides regular email bulletins on criminal law issues and legislation, judicial forum opportunities, social events and CLE for members. Please join us the second Wednesday of every month for our regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. at Tir Na Nog Irish Pub (located on Blount Street). All members and those interested in joining are encouraged to attend. Dues are $35 for the year. For more information contact Devon Glick, Membership Chairperson, at 919-873-9955 or at devon@dglicklaw.com for questions. Save the Date: WCACTL will hold their annual full day CLE on October 7 at the Cardinal Club.
Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association The Raleigh-Wake Paralegal Association has its member luncheon/speaker meeting the second Wednesday of the month at 12:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn on Glenwood and I‑440. For information on becoming a member or upcoming meetings, please go to www.raleighwakeparalegal.net. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact RWPA President Dianne Shackelford at dianne.shackelford@klgates.com or 919743-7300. Editor’s Note: If your organization has periodic meetings and you would like to “get the word out” to your fellow attorneys through the Wake Bar Flyer, please mail your information to Lucy T. Austin, Bar Flyer Editor, NC Court of Appeals, PO Box 888, Raleigh, N.C. 27602-0888, or email ltaustinlegal@gmail.com.
August 2011 — 9
WCBA Young Lawyers Division Upcoming Activities YLD Socials Please join us on Thursday, August 4, at Foster’s American Grille in Cameron Village. Socials are typically the first Thursday of each month. No need to RSVP, just come as you are. We are also hosting a social September 8 at Boylan Bridge Brew Pub. We hope to see you there! For more information, contact our 2011 Social Chairs Kathleen Putiri (kputiri@attorneysnc.com) or Rufus Allen (RALLEN@ncdoj.gov).
The Healing Place The YLD will be hosting seminars at the Healing Place of Wake County at 1251 Goode Street, Raleigh (27603), on September 13 and November 8 with each seminar beginning at 4 p.m., assisting those in need of legal advice. To volunteer, please contact Meredith Cross (MeredithCross@ gwhlaw.com) or Jamie Davis (JamieDavis@ gwhlaw.com).
Silent Partners In need of a mentor? The Silent Partners Program can help! The Silent Partners program has available spots for mentors and mentees. Anyone interested in the program should contact Rebecca Redwine at rredwine@hendrenmalone.com
Stop Hunger Now The YLD invites you to volunteer at Stop Hunger Now on Saturday, September 24 between 10 a.m. and noon. For more information about this organization you can visit www.stophungernow.org. During the two weeks prior to our volunteer day, we will be raising money to donate to this very worthwhile organization. If you cannot volunteer on September 24, please consider making a donation. Every 25 cents raised equals one meal. If you are interested in volunteering or being a coordinator for your firm, please contact Jennifer Welch at jwelch@cshlaw. com.
10 — Wake Bar Flyer
WCBA YLD Officers President Stephanie Gaston (sgaston@cshlaw.com) Secretary J.T. Crook (jcrook@bdixon.com) Treasurer Nick Carr (ncarr@sc.nc.state.us)
Swearing-In Committee The YLD would like to thank Erin Roberts of Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP for her years of service as the Chair of the YLD Swearing-In Committee. The YLD is now looking for volunteers to carry on Erin’s legacy of assisting the WCBA in finding willing volunteers to serve as sponsors for new members of our Judicial District. If you are interested in participating, please contact Stephanie Gaston (sgaston@cshlaw.com) or J.T. Crook (jcrook@bdixon.com).
Bridge-The-Gap The Bridge the Gap Seminar is designed to help new members to our Bar “bridge the gap” between law school and the practice of law. This year’s event will be held on October 7, Wake County Courthouse, seventh Floor, Room 700. This program is an excellent opportunity for new attorneys to become acquainted with local judges and officials. All persons interested in attending should contact Andrew Flynt, apf@youngmoorelaw.com, or Michelle Greene, mag@ youngmoorelaw.com
Elections Nominations for the 2011 YLD Board. Elections for the YLD Board positions of Treasurer and Secretary/President-Elect will take place on December 1 beginning at 6 p.m. at the YLD Board Meeting held in connection with the December YLD Social (location TBD). The Treasurer is primarily responsible for monitoring and reporting on the budget for the YLD and its committees throughout the calendar year. The Secretary/President-Elect is primarily responsible for attending YLD Board meetings and preparing meeting minutes as well as submitting the monthly YLD Bar Flyer submission. If you are interested in running for either of these positions, or would like to nominate someone for these positions, please email the full name, contact information for the candidate and the position sought to current YLD President Stephanie Gaston at sgaston@cshlaw.com. Nominations should be submitted by e-mail no later than 5 p.m. on November 17. Please certify that any candidate nominated is willing to serve in the position before making the nomination and that he or she is a YLD member in good standing. All members of the YLD in good standing may attend the December meeting and be heard on the issue of elections of Treasurer and Secretary/ President-Elect.
Email Blues by Camille Stell, Lawyers Mutual Liability Insurance Company I recently spoke at a professional association conference about time management issues. As I spoke, the topic seemed to resonate with people. Firms are doing more with less. People have more responsibilities and less time to juggle them. How do we effectively manage our time in the face of such pressures? Most people would agree that managing email is one of our biggest time management struggles. A December 2007 New York Times blog post described information overload as “a $650 Billion Drag on the Economy.” In April 2008, the New York Times reported that “e-mail has become the bane of some people’s professional lives” due to information overload, yet “none of the current wave of high-profile Internet start-ups focused on email really eliminates the problem of email overload because none helps us prepare replies”. GigaOm posted a similar article in September 2010, citing research that found 57% of knowledge workers were overwhelmed by the volume of email they received. According to an article by Ole Eichhorn, Chief Technology Officer of Aperior, two ways that email impairs your productivity is that it breaks your concentration and it misleads you into inefficient problem solving. I’d imagine that many of us can identify with that. We work on projects that require extended periods of concentration. This is why we are often able to accomplish more before or after regular office hours when we don’t face the normal interruptions of an office – ringing phones, attorneys, staff and clients competing for our time and the ever present bulging email inbox. When we choose to work with our email running continuously, we are leaving ourselves open to constant interruptions. In the old days, when I had a project that needed my full attention, I shut the door, put the phone on hold and spread the client file on my desk. I began to review documents, organize medical records, and summarize deposition testimony. A closed door was a sign that a big project was in the works and people only knocked when it was
necessary, and they kept the interruption to a minimum. Today, regardless of what I’m working on and whether the door is open or shut, if I leave my email application running, I am inviting everyone from my best friend to a vendor I’ve never met to interrupt my train of thought and derail my efforts at concentration. Julie Morgenstern’s book, Never Check Email in the Morning, offers many suggestions for taming email communications. Morgenstern points out that it is easy to get sidetracked with email and never get around to the large projects that are high priority. My takeaway tip from her book is to keep my priority projects up front and to devote blocks of time each day to chipping away at the task. As an example, when I returned from the conference I mentioned above, I had a stack of new business cards. My favorite part of attending a conference is meeting new people or renewing old relationships. I always stuff business cards in my manuscript with good intentions of transferring the information into my contacts or sending emails to my new contacts. However, back in the office, I get buried in the work that piled up during my absence. Here is my plan to integrate the time management techniques discussed at the recent meeting (and Julie’s book) into my workday. When I arrive at the office on Monday morning, I am faced with a decision to tie up loose ends from the seminar (including notes to new contacts, entering new contacts into my database and submitting an expense report), immediately open email to see what’s arrived since I last checked my smart phone or whether to start a large writing project that has a looming due date. Here’s my plan: • Quickly scan my email inbox to make sure no fires need to be put out, and then close the email application. I’m not opening any emails that don’t qualify as an emergency. This takes discipline, but it can be done;
• Review my business cards and connect with people via LinkedIn if possible to save myself the time of entering their information into my contacts; • Follow new Twitter contacts picked up from the conference; • Send emails or hand-written notes to connect with my new or renewed contacts; • Prepare expense report, then finally; • Review and update my to-do list to determine work projects that are top priority and start working. I chose to do the expense report before the “to do” list because the closer to the time of travel that I complete the expense report, the greater chance I’ll have the invoices and receipts I need and I’ll be able to capture what I really spent. Waiting for an extended period of time makes it harder on me and the accounting department. Your work priorities typically need to be those items closest to revenue – for you, doing client work. But in some instances, other items are going to have to be done and doing them sooner than later saves more time in the long run and allows you to spend more time bringing in revenue and keeping clients content. Are you a social media user? Follow us on Twitter at LawyersMutualNC, connect on our LinkedIn Company and Group page and like us on Facebook. Camille Stell is the Director of Client Services for Lawyers Mutual. With more than 20 years of experience in the legal field, Camille has worked for law firms as a paralegal, legal recruiter and business developer. Contact Camille at 800.662.8843 or Camille@lawyersmutualnc.com.
August 2011 — 11
Joseph Branch Professionalism Award “It should be remembered that the practice of law is a profession and not a business. Law, like the ministry, medicine and teaching, must be service oriented rather than profit inspired. Integrity is an absolute: any compromise is unacceptable and civility is an essential with adversaries, clients, the Bench and Bar. The lack of civility renders the practitioner non-professional.” With the above in mind, the Joseph Branch Professionalism Award Committee requests nominations for the 2011 Award. Those nominated should have 25 years of active practice in the law. Nominee’s Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Business Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________ General Description of Nominee’s Practice: _______________________________________________________________________ Contributions to the General Practice of Law: ______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Service to Clients: __________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Service to Community: _______________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Service to Bar and Relationships with Lawyers: ____________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Quality of Legal Product: _____________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Reputation Among Peers: _____________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ethical Standards: __________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Role Model for Lawyers and Citizenship: __________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Please use a separate sheet for additional comments) Nominator’s Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number: _________________________________________________________________________________________ You may be contacted by a member of the Professionalism Committee. All communications will be kept confidential. Professionalism Award Nomination Post Office Box 3686 Cary, North Carolina 27519-3686 Nominations Due by September 2, 2011
12 — Wake Bar Flyer
Dear Members of the Wake County Bar Association, I hope this message finds you well. Duke University Mock Trial will be hosting the Sixth Annual Tobacco Road Invitational on the weekend of November 19-20th, 2011. This tournament will attract 24 of the best undergraduate mock trial teams from universities across the country. I am writing to you to request your help in judging rounds for our competition by scoring participants on their trial advocacy skills and offering constructive feedback. Through mock trial, undergraduate students gain invaluable exposure to legal analysis and professionalism. At our competition, teams of undergraduate students will take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses and litigate a criminal trial. There will be four rounds of competition. We hope to have three judges in every trial room for each round of competition. Two judges will score student attorneys and witnesses on the quality of their legal arguments and presentation. The third judge will oversee the procedure of the trial and rule on objections. Duke Mock Trial would appreciate it greatly if you could find the time to participate in our competition by judging for any of the following rounds: Round I (Saturday, November 19): 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Round II (Saturday, November 19): 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Round III (Sunday, November 20): 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM Round IV (Sunday, November 20): 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM All rounds will be held at the Durham County Courthouse. Directions and parking information will be sent out to confirmed judges before the tournament. As a scoring judge, you can volunteer for either one or both days of the tournament, and you will be instructed on scoring procedure prior to the start of trial. Bagels and coffee will be served before Rounds I and III, and sandwiches will be served before Rounds II and IV. As an incentive to volunteer, Duke Mock Trial is currently working with The North Carolina State Bar to try to offer Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit for those who attend. We will keep you updated with more information as we receive it with regards to our application. If you are interested in serving as a judge, or have any questions concerning the tournament or Duke Mock Trial, please contact me at frank2408@gmail.com or 404-660-4361 at your earliest convenience. In addition, feel free to visit our website at: www.dukemocktrial.com. Thank you again for your time, and we hope to hear from you soon! Sincerely, Franklin Sacha President, Duke Mock Trial August 2011 — 13
Annual WCBA Golf Tournament Thursday, September 29, 2011 Shotgun Start @ 1:00 PM / Registration & Range Open at noon @ 12 OAKS Golf Course 1001 Green Oaks Parkway, Holly Springs
Thank you for supporting the WCBA scholarship charitable fund. Each golfer fee includes green fees, range balls, raffle ticket & dinner. This year we have several NEW sponsorship opportunities, so we are confidant you can find the level of commitment that best suits your company. For those sponsors whom will be playing in the tournament, you may choose to play as a foursome or pair off in groups of 2 to be mixed in with the field of participants. Thank you for your support!
_____________________________________ _____ Exclusive Tournament Sponsor $3,000 (8) playing spots in tournament Signage on ALL 18 holes, using Custom Made Hole Flags Logo on all cart sheets Signage at check-in table
Recognition in ALL media materials Recognition during dinner speech Premium Recognition on golfer T-shirts Premium Recognition on website
_____ Eagle Sponsor $900 (4) playing spots in tournament Signage on 5 holes Recognition on cart sheets
Recognition in print and media materials Recognition during dinner speech Recognition on website
_____Birdie Sponsor $450 (4) playing spots in tournament Signage on 2 holes
Recognition on cart sheets Recognition on website
_____ Hole Sponsor $200 (or $300 for tee & green signage) Signage at either a tee or on the green Recognition on tournament website _____ Individual Golfer Sign Up - $75 All golfing privileges, range balls, raffle ticket, & grill out dinner. Other Sponsorship Opportunities - If you have any questions or your business has a unique manner in which they would like to support our charity tournament please contact this year's tournament coordinator, Gabriel Jimenez, at gabe@jimenezlaw.com. Thank you!
Cart 1: Player: ______________________________________ Handicap_________ Player: ______________________________________ Handicap_________ Cart 2: Player: ______________________________________ Handicap_________ Player: ______________________________________ Handicap_________ Please check if you would like to keep foursome together. Firm/Agency: _____________________________________________________________ Telephone: _____________________ E-mail Address: ____________________________ Make checks payable to “Wake County Bar Association” and send it in with your completed entry form to: Golf Tournament, Wake County Bar Association, PO Box 3686, Cary, NC 27519-3686 Tournament will be limited to first 95 entries.
14 — Wake Bar Flyer
Can you spare a few Tuesday nights? Make a Motion to Strike!
Join the WCBA Bowling League At AMF Pleasant Valley Lanes in Raleigh The Third Season of WCBA Bowling Begins Tuesday Night September 13
League is 10 Weeks Long (ending November 15) Practice Starts at 6:45 p.m. $120.00 per player or $480.00 per team for a 10 Week Season 4 bowlers per team, plus alternates Don’t have a team? Sign up and we will place you on a team. All experience levels welcome, handicaps will be provided. Registration Fee includes bowling, shoes, end of season party, trophies for the winners! Contact Toni-Ann Herwig at tah@ymh.com or Michael Rainey at msr@ymh.com for more information.
************WCBA Bowling Registration Form************ ______Individual ($120) _____ Team of four ($480) (List alternates on back of form) Name ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ Telephone:______________________ email: _____________________________________ Make checks payable to Wake County Bar Association, with “Bowling” on memo line and Mail your registration form and check by September 1, 2011 to: Bowling League Wake County Bar Association PO Box 3686 Cary, NC 27519-3686 August 2011 — 15
WAKE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, INC. P.O. Box 3686 Cary, N.C. 27519-3686 OFFICERS Wake County Bar and Tenth J.D. Bar Christie S. Cameron, President Ted Edwards, WCBA President-Elect Ted Smyth, Tenth Judicial District President-Elect Jennifer A. Morgan, Secretary Allan B. Head, Treasurer Nan E. Hannah, Immediate Past President
WAKE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, INC. P.O. Box 3686 Cary, N.C. 27519-3686 www.wakecountybar.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Carrie Barbee Ashley Brathwaite John J. Connell Kimberly W. Duffley Mark A. Finkelstein Reed N. Fountain N. Lorrin Freeman Judge Keith O. Gregory Robin M. Hammond Elizabeth R. Harrison Scott C. Hatfield
Deborah L. Hildebran Greg Hinshaw Leonard T. Jernigan, Jr. Maria M. Lynch Don Munford Ashley Perkinson David L. Sherlin Roger W. Smith, Jr. Bettie Sousa Samuel “Bo” Thompson C. Colon Willoughby
DISTRICT BAR COUNCILORS Nicholas J. (Nick) John N. (Nick) Fountain Dombalis, II David W. Long Carlyn G. Poole Sally H. Scherer John M. Silverstein Donna R. Rascoe Cynthia (Cindy) L. Wittmer BADGER-IREDELL FOUNDATION, INC. OFFICERS President Judge Robert B. Rader Vice President Wilson Hayman Secretary Thomas L. Norris, Jr. Treasurer Staci T. Meyer BOARD OF DIRECTORS George M. Anderson William E. Brewer, Jr. Thomas H. Davis, Jr. John Nicholas Fountain Nan E. Hannah Holmes P. Harden Wilson Hayman Staci T. Meyer Fred P. Parker, III Judge Robert B. Rader Mark S. Thomas Thomas B. Wood
ABA Delegate Roger W. Smith, Sr. YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION Stephanie A. Gaston, President Wake Bar Flyer Lucy T. Austin, Editor NC Court of Appeals PO Box 888 Raleigh, NC 27602-0888 919-612-5085 ltaustinlegal@gmail.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Whitney von Haam 919-657-1572 / 919-657-1564 fax whitney@wakecountybar.org For advertising information, see page 2.