WCBA PARTNERSHIPS The Wake County Bar Association firmly believes that collaboration with other organizations only makes for a stronger, livelier, more inclusive bar, lifting the profession up and moving it forward. As the saying goes, “a rising tide lifts all boats,” and we are proud that our members are well-connected leaders throughout our local legal community. In this section, a few of them share their experiences of how the WCBA and other organizations they serve have partnered together to enhance their practice and their lives.
A YOUNG LAWYER GROWS THROUGH THE WCBA AND CAPITAL CITY LAWYERS ASSOCIATION BY JONNELL CARPENTER | UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, CHAPEL HILL
FROM A YOUNG AGE, I have been obsessed with extra curricular activities. I was the person who was involved in everything. While quite the introvert, I craved the sense of community, engagement and personal development that organizations provided. Now as a young lawyer, this sense of belonging and engagement is critical as I increase my knowledge base and connection to the Wake County legal community. During my time at Campbell Law School, my peers and mentors spoke highly of two organizations: Wake County Bar Association (WCBA) and Capital City Lawyers Association (CCLA). Although both are bar organizations for attorneys, my participation in WCBA and CCLA serve and fulfill different purposes. Membership in WCBA provides opportunities to remain engaged and grow professionally within the legal field. WCBA’s continued focus on supporting the educational and professional growth of lawyers is seen through their offerings of CLE credits, networking luncheons and pro bono opportunities. WCBA’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is an added bonus for new attorneys, increasing networking and collaboration within the young legal community. I now serve as the co-chair for YLD’s Speaker Series, where we host panels on legal services, financial advising, and other topics of interest to young lawyers. As the co-chair, I’m excited to contribute to the growth and advancement of other young attorneys. In this sense, I can practice reciprocity, or the idea of giving back while receiving. For similar reasons, I was drawn to the mission and community of CCLA. I was first introduced to CCLA through mentoring relationships with Campbell Assistant Dean of Student Life and Pro Bono Opportunities Evin Grant and Judge Julie Bell. As a Black law student, their mentorship, guidance and support were essential to my success. Black, Indigenous, and attorneys of color continue to make up a small percentage in our profession. Recognizing this, CCLA creates pathways for attorneys of color to thrive and serve through mentoring programs, community service and political action events. In the spirit of Mary Church Terrell, “lifting as we climb,” it is important for me to support the efforts to diversify the legal field as my mentors and those before me have done. I currently serve as the co-chair of the CCLA Events Committee where we host the annual Christmas Gala, which provides scholarships for law students of color. This year, we will celebrate CCLA’s 40th anniversary, and look forward to continued partnerships with organizations such as WCBA to support the advancement of our mission. Both CCLA and WCBA continue to add to my professional and personal growth as a young Black attorney. I highly encourage each of us to consider joining and supporting WCBA, CCLA and other voluntary bar associations through membership, participation in events or sponsorship. WBF
WAKE BAR FLYER
4
SECOND QUARTER 2021
