Wake Bar Flyer | Second Quarter 2024

BAR FLYER

ADVANCING PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE AND CAREER SATISFACTION

BY JAMES HASH | PRESIDENT TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT BAR

AS THE SAYING GOES, the days are long, but the weeks fly by. Those days and weeks rapidly turn into months and years, and in what seems the blink of an eye, once-young lawyers may find themselves as middle-aged lawyers with children asking them if being a lawyer is fun and exciting and if they are happy in their work. How would you answer those questions?

Last quarter, WCBA president Sarah Privette highlighted our Bar’s ongoing efforts to engage our members through the Strategic Plan that will guide us for the next three years. Our focus this quarter is on the goal of advancing professional excellence and career satisfaction within our Bar. The internet is replete with quotes on excellence, but perhaps the writer Pearl S. Buck most aptly captured the essence of this goal: “The secret of joy in work is contained in one word – excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.” Wise words indeed, but what does excellence mean in the context of our law practice?

Each lawyer’s quest for professional excellence is a personal journey that will continue throughout our careers. Excellence resides somewhere well above professional competence yet distinctly below perfection. Our Rules of Professional Conduct teach us that competence means that we must be knowledgeable enough, skilled enough, thorough enough and prepared enough to handle the matters we take on. RPC 1.1. That is supposed to be our floor. The real question is whether we consistently settle for doing enough to be competent or do we hold ourselves to a higher standard? (Not an unattainable standard of perfection. More on that in a future WBF when we focus on the goal of prioritizing and promoting lawyer wellbeing.)

It is all too easy to get lost in the daily deluge of email and to allow our lives to be dictated by the next appointment or deadline that pops up on our calendars. Running deadline to deadline is not a good way to practice law (nor to write articles for the WBF). Some of us may take on too many clients to really serve well, while others of us may stray into areas of the law that it may be hard for us to achieve much beyond competence. There are many ways that we can fall short of professional excellence. If we aren’t intentional about how we approach our practice, our quality of work and work satisfaction will suffer.

Regardless of where we are in our practice, from time to time, we need to pause to honestly answer two threshold questions: 1. Are we truly doing the best job we can for our clients as opposed to just doing enough? 2. Are we truly happy in our work? If the answer to either of those is no (and if we must think too long to convince ourselves that the answer is yes then the answer is likely a no), then it is time to reevaluate what we are doing and how we are doing it. We also should recognize that our practices, and our lives, are not static and that the answers to these questions may ebb and flow over time.

Our Bar offers a wide range of professional development opportunities and support systems to help us in our search for professional excellence and career satisfaction, including our new Decisis legal research tool free to WCBA members, our mentoring program in partnership with Campbell Law School, our array of free CLEs across a spectrum of practice areas (with a new night program tailored for folks who prefer to get their CLE at 9 p.m.), access to BarCares and countless professionalism, service and social opportunities throughout the year. We hope that you will draw on these resources for knowledge, support or inspiration on your own quest for professional excellence. WBF

UPCOMING EVENTS

Learn Over Lunch: Cybersecurity Best Practices Thursday, May 2 | 1 p.m.

WCBA 2024 Kickball Game Thursday, May 2 | 6 p.m.

WCBA May Social Thursday, May 2 | 6:30 p.m.

WCBA May Picnic Luncheon Tuesday, May 7 | 12:15 p.m.

Tenth Judicial District Bar Spring Swearing-In Ceremony Thursday, May 9 | 2 p.m.

May YLD Social Thursday, May 9 | 5 p.m.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2 FROM FIFTH AMENDMENT SKITS TO COLLEGE DREAMS: HOW THE WCBA’S RULE OF LAW DAY INSPIRED FUTURE LAWYERS

4 WE MET OUR GOAL!

6 WHAT FAMOUS PERSON, DEAD OR ALIVE, WOULD YOU WANT TO MEET WITH TO GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE?

8 NEW CLE RULES NOW IN EFFECT

10 DIRECT EXAMINATION

12’ ATTAINING SATISFACTION BY CREATING YOUR OWN CAREER JOURNEY

13 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

WAKE BAR FLYER

VOL. LXI | No. 2 | SECOND QUARTER 2024

Presidents

SARAH PRIVETTE, WCBA

JAMES HASH, TENTH J.D. BAR

Presidents-elect

KIMBERLY TURNER MILLER, WCBA

JAKE EPSTEIN, TENTH J.D. BAR

Secretary

TIFFANY COX

Treasurer

ELYSIA PRENDERGAST-JONES

Immediate Past President

JUDGE ASHLEY PARKER, WCBA & TENTH J.D. BAR

Board of Directors

KRISTEN L. BEIGHTOL

DAVID R. BOAZ

TARA CHO

APRIL GIANCOLA

JORDAN GROSS

JESSICA HEFNER

LEANOR B. HODGE

JOHN HOOMANI

GABE JIMENEZ

ERIKA N. JONES

JENNIFER M. JONES

DEAN J. RICH LEONARD (EX OFFICIO)

WILL OWENS

STEPHANIE N. ROBINSON

KENDRA STARK

JUDGE CHRISTINE WALCZYK

Young Lawyers Division President

CARLY G. BAKER

Executive Director

WHITNEY D.G. VON HAAM

Communications Manager

AMY DAVIS

Wake Bar Flyer Designer

ANNE R. STRICKLAND

Tenth Judicial District Bar Councilors

JULIE L. BELL

WALTER E. BROCK, JR

ASHLEY H. CAMPBELL

NANCY L. GRACE

EVIN GRANT

KIMBERLY A. MOORE

JUDGE ROBERT B. RADER

WARREN T. SAVAGE

FROM FIFTH AMENDMENT SKITS TO COLLEGE DREAMS: HOW THE WCBA’S RULE OF LAW DAY INSPIRED FUTURE LAWYERS

BY NYAH VON HAAM | GUEST CONTRIBUTOR

UNLIKE MANY STUDENTS (and let’s be honest, even a fair number of WCBA members), I have been to countless WCBA events in my day. However, it’s very uncommon that I am the target audience instead of just free help. I’m Nyah von Haam (and if you’re thinking, von Haam? I am Whitney’s daughter. You might’ve seen me around as the unofficial intern.), and I was lucky enough to attend this year’s Rule of Law program on March 12, a program of the WCBA’s Public Service Committee. During the Rule of Law program, a one-day field trip held at Campbell School of Law, high school students work with lawyers to take a deep dive into the Bill of Rights, applying them to everyday life, and acting them out in skits.

The program brings together students from schools across Wake County and connects with people from other schools, which is a rare occurrence in such a large school system. After a phenomenal keynote speech from Judge Ashleigh Parker (who I presented a plaque to at the event…it’s good to know people!), students were divided into five groups for our skits.

My group unpacked the Fifth Amendment with volunteer attorney Warren Hynson of Hynson Law PLLC, discussing the intricacies and details of the right to a speedy trial. Volunteers worked closely with us all day, never failing to answer questions and thoroughly explain ideas. They listened to each and every participant, providing an environment that allowed for easy collaboration between high school students (not an easy feat, by the way.)

We then performed our skits in front of a panel of lawyers and the other students from the program, explaining our amendment in a real world situation. Groups deliberated on issues of free speech and license plates, attorneys falling asleep in court and slow magistrates. The insight and wisdom the panel gave us, along with other volunteers explaining their law school and career journey largely impacted me, especially as a junior in high school in the midst of the college process.

As always, the staff of the Wake County Bar Association executed the event wonderfully, making even the difficult things look like they went off without a hitch. After the program, I immediately called my mom (who was in Chicago with her presidents-elect) and told her how much I enjoyed the program and the opportunity I was given to connect with other students, as well as attorneys and judges. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Rule of Law program and the people who continue to foster the next generation of judges and lawyers. WBF

© 2024 Wake County Bar Association & Tenth Judicial District Bar.

New in 2024

A fast & reliable legal research tool is now available, for free, to Wake County Bar Association members.

. Search all 50 State Courts and Federal jurisdictions.

How Decisis stands out from its competitors:

• Intuitive Google-like interface that allows you to seamlessly scan search results

• Split-screen functionality that enables simultaneous viewing and easy navigation between search tabs and the main search screen

• Three ways to search: Type in key terms, use search operators, or search by citation

• A world-class citator with superior reliability

• Enhanced customer support – available 7 days a week, offering both research and tech assistance

• Tailored search filters to pull highly relevant results

WE MET OUR GOAL!

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US GET TO $20,000

BY KIMBERLY MILLER | OWENS & MILLER, PLLC

FOR OUR 2ND ANNUAL WCBA Foundation Grant Program, an anonymous donor graciously challenged our WCBA members to raise $20,000 in new or increased gifts from previous donors beginning in December and ending March 15. We want to THANK YOU for helping us not only reach our $20,000 Matching Gift Challenge, but to exceed the goal by another $17,000 in gifts.

The Grant program has given our WCBA members the ability to collectively respond to the needs of our community, raise support for local access to justice projects and uphold the commitments we express in our Creed of Professionalism. Thank you for helping the WCBA Foundation in this year’s annual campaign. Congratulations to the 2024 grant recipients, Wake County Legal Resource Center and The Child’s Advocate. Your entire donation to this challenge goes directly to these deserving organizations.

It’s not too late to give. If you’d like to see your name on this list, DONATE HERE. WBF

Kimberly Miller

WHAT FAMOUS PERSON, DEAD OR ALIVE, WOULD YOU WANT TO MEET WITH TO GET PROFESSIONAL ADVICE?

WE ASKED SOME WCBA MEMBERS ABOUT CAREER MENTORSHIP.

DANA CHAVIS, STATE EMPLOYEES CREDIT UNION

“If I could meet any famous person, dead or alive, to get professional advice, I would meet with Joy Harjo, the first Native American poet laureate, a title she held from 2019 until 2022. When I graduated from law school in 2020 during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had a virtual graduation ceremony at NCCU. I also participated in one held by the National American Indian Court Judges Association (NAICJA) for 100 Indigenous 2020 law school graduates from across the US. Joy Harjo read her poetry during the ceremony, although I didn’t remember the words of the poems, I remember being so impressed by her accomplishments. I would leap at the opportunity to meet her in person and receive real advice about thriving as a native woman in a decidedly non-native world.”

JACQUELINE CLARE, CLARE MEDIATION

“The late Bill Richardson, former governor of New Mexico, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. and hostage negotiator. I was constantly fascinated by his ability to successfully negotiate the release of political prisoners and U.S. hostages. I would ask him about his techniques in high-stakes negotiations.”

JORDAN GROSS, STAUFF & GROSS PLLC

“Dean Smith because of his leadership principles and focus on personal integrity and character. These quotes from him stand out to me, ‘You should never be proud of doing the right thing. You should just do it’ and ‘What to do with a mistake: recognize it, admit it, learn from it, forget it.’“

TERRIE NELSON, SYNEOS HEALTH

“If I could seek professional advice from any renowned figure, it would be Katherine Johnson, the esteemed American mathematician and pioneering NASA scientist, portrayed by Taraji P. Henson in the film Hidden Figures. I’m drawn to Ms. Johnson’s journey as the first African American woman in her field, navigating a profession dominated by men and Caucasians during her time. Her ability to not only excel but also gracefully handle the constant surprise at her intellect and diligence is inspiring. One of Ms. Johnson’s poignant statements resonates deeply with me: ‘I don’t have a feeling of inferiority. Never had. I’m as good as anybody, but no better.’ Her confidence and humility is a rarity, and I believe her insights on overcoming barriers and thriving in demanding environments would be invaluable. Meeting her would be a privilege, and I’m grateful for the wealth of knowledge and inspiration her life and achievements continue to offer.”

GRANT

SIMPKINS, HEDRICK GARDNER KINCHELOE & GARAFOLO LLP

“I would like to have met with Teddy Roosevelt for professional advice. He had strong convictions and would always move forward with his goals or ideas despite what obstacles were in his way. I would also ask Teddy about balancing personal interests and how to navigate through professional roles while continuing to explore his private interests in life.

DANIEL WATTS, CONNER GWYN SCHENCK PLLC

“I would want to meet, and have met with, a locally famous person, who is still living and is as mirthful as ever—Judge Robert N. Hunter, Jr. Judge Hunter is an accomplished trial lawyer, passionate storyteller and knows to have fun in the practice of law. Judge Hunter taught me the facts of a case matter and shape the way the reader relates to the human story at issue. He advocated for writing in the active voice and using simple prose to discuss complex issues. Above all, he showed me how to lead a story worthy life with characters to match.” WBF

BAR CONNECTIONS: HOW MENTORING INSPIRES PROFESSIONALISM AND CAREER SATISFACTION

BY MEGAN WEST SHERRON | CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

IN THE DYNAMIC LANDSCAPE of today’s legal profession, the journey toward becoming an established attorney can often feel like navigating through a maze. As law students and young attorneys strive to achieve their goals and aspirations, they encounter numerous challenges and uncertainties along the way. In such times, having a mentor can make a significant difference. Mentoring not only offers guidance and support but also plays a pivotal role in advancing professionalism and fostering career satisfaction.

The Campbell Law Connections Mentoring program is a partnership program with the Wake County Bar where more experienced attorneys provide guidance, advice and support to a newly minted attorney or thirdyear law student. This relationship begins with common ground, whether it be practice-area interests, work environments similarity or just a shared hobby. From there, mentors and mentees spend time together participating in activities to provide a meaningful experience to their mentees. Mentors share their wisdom and experience to empower mentees to navigate their career paths with confidence and clarity. The experience of mentoring, like those found in the Connections program, enable mentees to have a better grasp on the professional standards required in practice while helping foster ultimate career enjoyment.

Mentoring gives mentees access to valuable resources, networks and opportunities for skill development. Through regular interactions with their mentors, mentees gain insights into best practices, client engagement and professional obligations. Mentors can offer constructive feedback, helping mentees identify their strengths and areas for improvement. Having a mentor relationship also offers the opportunity for young attorneys and law students to gain a more practical understanding of what it means to be a lawyer. As currently established, law schools are not designed to provide the more practical side of how to practice law, but mentoring presents that opportunity.

Moreover, mentors often serve as role models, inspiring mentees to strive for greatness and set ambitious goals. By observing their mentor’s leadership style, work ethic and decision-making process, mentees learn valuable lessons in professionalism. Mentors also provide encouragement and motivation during challenging times, instilling confidence and self-belief in their mentees’ abilities. One mentee described her interactions with her mentor this way:

“I felt I was able to ask questions that I would not normally feel comfortable to ask and am really grateful for that. I felt I also learned how to interact with other attorneys and professionals and that my mentor was a great role model. I did not expect to come away from this experience with such a meaningful connection, but I truly loved meeting with my mentor and was always very excited to see her and learn from her.”

Mentoring plays a crucial role in enhancing career satisfaction by providing mentees with guidance and support in achieving their professional goals. Mentors can assist mentees in identifying their career aspirations, strengths and passions, helping them align their personal values with their professional pursuits. Through meaningful discussions and goal setting, mentors can help mentees create actionable plans for career advancement and fulfillment.

Furthermore, mentoring facilitates the development of crucial soft skills such as communication and teamwork. Mentees learn how to build effective relationships, navigate workplace dynamics and handle conflicts professionally. These are skills that are ultimately some of the most important in career development. This holistic approach not only enhances the mentee’s job performance but also contributes to overall job satisfaction and fulfillment. Additionally, mentors challenge mentees to explore new ideas and embrace opportunities for growth and development. As one past participant in the program stated, “My mentor encouraged me to look at other areas of practice that ultimately could meet my goals for what I desired in a legal career.”

Mentoring is a powerful tool for advancing professional standards while fostering career satisfaction. By providing guidance, support and encouragement, mentors empower mentees to overcome challenges, achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Mentoring is not just a one-way street; it is a symbiotic relationship where both mentors and mentees learn and grow together. Connections provides a meaningful experience for all involved. If you would like to participate in this program, feel free to reach out to me at sherron@campbell.edu. WBF

Sherron

NEW CLE RULES NOW IN EFFECT – STANDBY FOR MORE INFORMATION

BY PETER BOLAC, NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE Continuing Legal Education rules went into effect on March 1, 2024. The State Bar is working hard to update its programming in the member portal to reflect the changes, and we expect these changes to appear in the coming weeks. Until then, here is a brief summary of the changes:

ANNUAL ATTENDANCE FEE

The $3.50/hour attendance fee is replaced by an annual $25 CLE attendance fee that was assessed during the 2023 Annual Report process. Going forward, this fee will be collected during the annual dues process.

ELIMINATION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT REQUIREMENT

By the time you read this, you will have (hopefully) submitted your last CLE Annual Report! We will continue to track your CLE attendance in our portal, but there is no longer a need to submit a report at the end of year. Just take your hours and keep track of your progress.

TWO-YEAR REPORTING PERIOD

(EXCEPT FOR HALF OF THE BAR IN 2024)

Except for 2024, which I’ll explain below, lawyers will now have two years to complete 24 CLE hours. This change gives lawyers the flexibility to take programs when it’s most convenient. To create a staggered system where half of the lawyers are coming due each year, the 2024 CLE year has a one time, one-year requirement for half of the bar.

ODD BAR ADMISSION YEAR (E.G., 1997, 2005, 2013)

Lawyers with an odd year of admission will have a one-year, 12-hour requirement for 2024, and begin the two-year cycle in 2025. For 2024, these lawyers must take 12 total hours, including 2 ethics hours, 1 Professional Well-being hour (formerly known as Mental Health/Substance Abuse), and 1 Technology Training Hour. These requirements must be completed by the end of February 2025.

EVEN BAR ADMISSION YEAR (E.G., 2004, 1996, 2024)

Lawyers with an even year of admission have a two-year, 24-hour requirement, which includes 4 ethics hours, 1 Professional Well-Being hour and one Technology Training hour. These requirements must be completed by the end of February 2026.

WE’RE KEEPING CARRY-OVER HOURS.

Lawyers will be able to carry-over up to 12 hours from one reporting period to the next, but they will only carry-over as total hours. This means that lawyers must complete ethics, PWB, and Technology Training hours each reporting period.

WE’RE GIVING GRACE AND HOPING FOR GRACE IN RETURN

Lawyers who earned carry-over hours in 2023 and Jan/Feb of 2024 will be able to carry those hours over into the 2024 reporting period. Additionally, ethics/PWB/Technology hours will transfer over as specific credits (for the last time). The CLE department is trying its best to make decisions in the best interests of the members in the hopes that the lawyers will respond with additional grace and patience as we wade through this difficult transition period.

QUESTIONS?

If you have questions about the new rules, please do not hesitate to contact the CLE department at the State Bar. We will send out additional information over the next few months. WBF

Bolac

DIRECT EXAMINATION: JUDGE MARGARET EAGLES

DIRECT EXAMINATION IS THE FIRST opportunity for the jury to meet a witness. An effective lawyer will use the opportunity to personalize the witness, making the witness appear both likeable and credible. At the end of the day, the direct examination is a party’s best chance to tell his or her story. This is the story of Judge Margaret Eagles, Wake County District Court.

1. When you were in elementary school, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a veterinarian but high school biology and chemistry put a stop to that idea quickly.

2. What was the most important lesson your parents taught you?

None of us is better than another person. My Dad would always tell me that no one is too good to make a copy or lend a hand.

3. Who was your favorite teacher and why?

Marion Timothy English teacher at Broughton High school; she treated her students like adults and exposed us to amazing books

4. Did you love or hate law school?

I did not hate law school. I had taken two years off between college and law school to work to determine if law school was for me. I had a great job, with only one negative, which was a really awful boss. Whenever I was having challenges in law school, I would remind myself that no matter how frustrated I was, it was still better than working for the bad boss.

5. What was your most embarrassing courtroom experience?

After Court one time, I was talking to clerks and deputies. I leaned back too far and the chair broke and dumped me on the floor with my legs in the air. The deputies did check to make sure I wasn’t hurt before they started laughing!

Another embarrassing experience – I fainted in the middle of my father’s swearing-in ceremony on to the NC Court of Appeals and my fainting was in the newspaper the next day.

6. What was your best courtroom experience?

I was a judge in abuse neglect and dependency courtroom from 2011 to 2014. It is a very challenging courtroom in that courtroom children are removed from their parents or caretakers generally because of allegations of abuse or neglect. Our goal was to have the children have a permanent place to live and grow hopefully with their parent, but if not then different permanent plan. The goal of the whole courtroom and all the players in it were to work with the parents and the children to address the things that have brought them into care.

Unfortunately, many of the parents were not successful but I do remember a mom who had had serious substance abuse issues had been in a domestic violence relationship with children’s father. She put in a lot of work, got clean and with help found housing and work. I remember clearly the day she got her children back. It was an amazing feeling to be small part of that.

7. Why did you become a lawyer?

Weirdly, I really love the law. It is always changing and at times it seems to be a complex puzzle.

8. What has been the most surprising or unexpected development in your career?

Judge

Being named Chief District Court Judge. I am very grateful that the Chief Justice offered me this opportunity, and I hope to be able to make him and my predecessors proud.

9. What is your favorite book?

Of course one of my favorite books is “To Kill a Mockingbird” because it showed that because it shows that you can do the right thing even if it’s not the popular option. But my other favorite book is ‘The Limits of Town’ which was written by my friend Trey Cheek. Trey wrote the book when he was up at night feeding his baby boy. Tragically Trey was killed in a car accident in 2005. Myself, Ripley Rand and multiple other friends edited and worked to get Trey’s manuscript published and limited copies bound.

10. What is your most marked characteristic?

I have a very, very, very loud laugh.

11. What is your hidden talent?

I seem to remember most faces I encounter. Unfortunately, I cannot remember names that go with the face and cannot remember where I have seen them (they could be parent my child’s friend, or I grew up with them or they were at the grocery store last week, or I have sent them to prison.) It can also be a curse.

12. Who are your real-life heroes?

The amazing people who work with me in Wake County that have worked tirelessly over past year during the implementation of eCourts. This is the Judges, Clerks, court Staff, the District Attorneys, the Public Defenders, the Magistrates, the Sheriffs’ office and all of the members of the Wake County Bar and the people that help them be successful (administrative assistants and paralegals) I am grateful to everyone person who has worked hard during this transition.

13. When and where were you happiest?

When my son was born. I was an “older mom” and he completely changed both my and my husband’s lives for the better. WBF

Eagles

ATTAINING SATISFACTION BY CREATING YOUR OWN CAREER JOURNEY

BY CAMILLE STELL | LAWYERS MUTUAL CONSULTING & SERVICES

“CHOOSE A JOB YOU LOVE, AND YOU WILL NEVER WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.” Some version of this quote has been attributed to such intellectual giants as Confucius and Mark Twain. The idea behind the words does not remove the toil of work, but having a positive emotional response to your work makes it feel more like a choice than a sentence.

How do you attain satisfaction in your career journey? Is satisfaction based on finding a dream job? Do dream jobs exist? Or does mindset and personality match allow for a positive emotional response that can be called passion? Can questioning your path and your values and who you are make for a more enjoyable work experience?

PIVOT

Wake County Bar Association member and Campbell Law School graduate, Alexandra Macey Davis, released a book in late 2023, Pivot: The Nontraditional J.D. Careers Handbook.

In her book, Alex describes the pivot she underwent in her career as she began to identify her personal strengths and interests, along with those she had honed in law school.

Alex says she loved studying the law, reading the law, discussing it with others, breaking down important issues and doing research. Even though Alex no longer practices law, she feels her time spent in law school, studying for the Bar exam, and working in a civil litigation law firm were all important components of a career path that ultimately led her to a non-traditional law career.

As Alex says in her book, “Though our professions are not the core of our identity, our daily work truly does deeply affect every other aspect of our lives. Finding a work situation that does not send us into a constant fight-flight-freeze state is not evidence of the entitlement that millennials are so often castigated for: it is absolutely essential to ensuring that we’re positioned to grow in strength, character, and virtue, and to contribute meaningfully to society.”

Alex began her legal career as an associate in a civil litigation practice. Many people had offered the advice that if she enjoyed writing, she should explore litigation practice. When Alex joined her law firm, she liked the people, she enjoyed the intellectual stimulation of the work, but she often felt her work was misaligned with who she was. The antagonism of civil litigation combined with her desire to write and nurture a more creative existence led her to the exploration that resulted in multiple career stops, and ultimately writing a book that helps other lawyers figure out their own career journey. How did she get there?

THE JOURNEY

After two years as a litigation associate, Alex began to explore her options. She decided to take on a document review job that would pay the bills while allowing her to start a freelance writing business. Within eight months, Alex

was making enough money through her business as a ghostwriter for law firms, to quit the document review job and focus full time on the writing business. This is the career stop where I met Alex, she joined the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) to connect with professionals who were doing creative work in law firms.

As Alex developed relationships with other professionals in her industry niche, her business grew as did her confidence that her career journey was moving forward in a positive direction.

Camille Stell is the President of Lawyers Mutual Consulting & Services and the co-author of the book “RESPECT – An Insight to Attorney Compensation Plans” published in December 2022. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@ lawyersmutualconsulting.com or 919.677.8900.

Not only did Alex find freelance work with the LMA networking group, she also received advice and counsel, countless referrals, as well as new mentors and friends.

After five years running her own business, Alex’s next pivot led her to her current position as managing editor of an online public policy journal, while continuing to write articles and essays for various online and print publications. She also took the time to write her book as a way of providing guidance and insight to others who wanted help navigating their career path.

PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE

Another Campbell Law School alum, Jeff Cox, followed his own journey of discovery to career satisfaction. When Jeff graduated from law school, his goal was a job as in-house counsel, a career move that often comes later in the progression for many lawyers. However, Jeff applied for a legal operations role at Citigroup. And to prove his ability to collect and analyze data, as well as manage large projects, Jeff submitted his research project from law school, a 50-state study on employment discrimination filings. He got the job at Citigroup, and quickly volunteered for a position arising out of an unexpected job opening at the same company that gave him hands-on experience in an entirely different area of the company.

As Jeff’s vision for his career path began to crystallize, he volunteered to write an article for the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) about AI and the law. One of his interviews with Josh Blandi, the CEO of UniCourt provided an introduction that allowed Jeff the opportunity to take on a side-hustle (with the

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

ATTAINING SATISFACTION,

CONTINUED

approval of Citigroup) ghostwriting articles for UniCourt’s blog, along with other major industry publications.

Jeff ultimately ended up at UniCourt as their Director of Content. Pivoting his career in this way also opened the door for Jeff to get more involved in legal aid work which Jeff calls his “true calling.” He has served on the board of directors of Bay Area Legal Services, one of the largest non-profit law firms in Florida. While Jeff is still involved in Bay Area Legal Services work, he has made another career move. He is now serving as senior manager of Content Strategy at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, a global law firm focused on serving technology, energy, and finance sectors.

Jeff’s path to professional excellence involved not only choosing a career path in law where he can excel, but he also found a way to pair this work with his passion for legal aid where he was able to expand his network and opportunities. The combination allowed Jeff to hone the skills that lead to extreme career satisfaction such as stepping outside one’s comfort zone, managing new challenges, networking, relationship building and developing creative solutions to problem solving.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

MY CAREER SATISFACTION

My own career has meandered from law firms to a national recruiting firm to working with North Carolina’s largest malpractice insurance company, Lawyers Mutual. While I have loved all my career stops, work certainly has hard days. And there have been parts of my various jobs I loved less than others.

However, my career has brought me immense joy and satisfaction. From intellectually stimulating work, to building long-lasting relationships, each stop along the way made me more well-rounded, less startled by change and better equipped to view “no” as “not yet.”

Good luck as you continue to develop your own law life and enjoy each detour and destination along the way. WBF

WE WELCOME THE NEWEST MEMBERS TO THE WAKE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

William Apple | State Employees Credit Union

Hurshell Baggett, Jr.| NC Medical Society

Ryan Bakelaar | Ellis & Winters LLP

Zachary Buckheit | Williams Mullen

Tiffany Campbell | Wake County Attorneys Office

Dana Chavis | State Employees Credit Union

Kelly Clarke | Legal Aid of NC

Chelsea Collins | Rausch Sturm LLP

Breanna Combs | Jones Branz & Whitaker LLP

Louise Cook

Awanti Damle | Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC

Madison Davis | The Doyle Law Group PA

Jean Ellis | Liberty Mutual Insurance

Lisa Forman | State Employees Credit Union

Richard Glazier | NC Justice Center

Jasjit Grewal | Hutchison PLLC

Benjamin Holt | Legal Aid of North Carolina

Aurora Jaques | U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Michael Kent, Jr. | Campbell University School of Law

Sierra La Gala | Triangle Law Group

Cory Lambert | Gantt Family Law

Anton Lebedev | Law Offices of Anton Lebedev

Michele Luecking-Sunman

Amina Mack

Karen McDonald | City Attorney’s Office Raleigh

Alexander McKesson | First American Title Insurance

Matthew Minikus | Kurtz and Blum

Fred Moreno | Howard Perry & Walston Realty Inc.

Courtney Owens | Katy Chavez Attorney

Rachel Pender | Poyner Spruill LLP

Andrew Philip | University of North Carolina System

LaSandy Raynor | US Department of Commerce

Emily Shanks | State Employees Credit Union

Robert Simmons | Wake County District Attorneys Office

Kathryn Spangler | NC Court of Appeals

Carlie Spencer | Strive Law Firm

Andrew Stormer | State Employees Credit Union

Jonathan Taggart | Fox Rothschild LLP

Jason Vogel | Kilpatrick Townsend

Sherita Walton | City of Raleigh, City Attorney’s Office