BAR FLYER
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SERVICE, LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY
KIMBERLY TURNER MILLER, PRESIDENT WAKE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION | OWENS & MILLER PLLC
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who has helped us celebrate the first half of our centennial year.
Our bar lunches this year have been particularly memorable. We were honored to hear from Court of Appeals Judge Allegra Collins, who delivered a fascinating presentation on the Jordan Chiles Olympic case. Most recently, we welcomed Attorney General Jeff Jackson, who shared an inspiring update on the vital work he and his staff are doing to support North Carolinians. In April, we marked our centennial with a special Membership Appreciation Month. The celebration included a week of breakfasts, free professional headshots for our members, movie night at The Rialto to watch the legal classic “My Cousin Vinny,” and a meaningful reaffirmation of our professional oath, accompanied by a tribute to the Wake County Bar Association’s Professionalism Creed. For me personally, the reaffirmation served as a powerful moment of reflection — an opportunity to revisit the core values that define the Wake County Bar Association. These values have guided us for the past 100 years and will continue to lead us into the next century: service, integrity, excellence, fairness, equal access to justice, and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law.
Our bar — and our country — has witnessed immense change over the last century. The next 100 years will no doubt bring both triumphs and trials. But through it all, our dedication to these fundamental principles has remained a steadying force — a calm through many storms.
UPCOMING CLE
August 20
Breakfast Discussion Series: Law Firm Succession Planning
August 21
Strategic Skills Series: Using AI Without Looking Real Dumb
August 22
WCACTL 2025 DWI Criminal Law CLE
August 28
WCBA 2025 Family Law Day
September 4
Learn Over Lunch: Trump Era Immigration Updates for Attorneys
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
4 2025 WCBA Foundation Community Grants
4 2025 WCBA Foundation Scholarship Recipients
5 Shaping the Future of Law: Our Attorneys Volunteer to Inspire Local Students
8 Getting to Know WCBA Equity Champion Taylor Scruggs-Smith
9 100 Miles for 100 Years Update: The WCBA Laces Up in 2025
12 Telecommunications and the Practice of Law
Miller
WAKE BAR FLYER
VOL. LIII No. 3 | THIRD QUARTER 2025
Presidents
KIMBERLY TURNER MILLER, WCBA
JAKE EPSTEIN, TENTH J.D. BAR
Presidents-elect
JOHN B. WARD, WCBA
LEANOR BAILEY HODGE,
TENTH J.D. BAR
Secretary
TIFFANY COX
Treasurer
ERIKA N. JONES
Board of Directors
KRISTEN L. BEIGHTOL
DAVID R. BOAZ
JONATHAN M. BOGUES
MEREDITH P. BREWER
TARA CHO
JORDAN GROSS
GABE JIMENEZ
JOSUE JIMENEZ
JENNIFER JONES
DEAN J. RICH LEONARD
JACOB MORSE
WILL D. OWENS
LINDSAY A. UNDERWOOD
MALLORY UNDERWOOD
Young Lawyers Division President
PATRICK VANDERJEUGDT
Executive Director
WHITNEY D.G. von HAAM
Communications Manager
AMY DAVIS
Wake Bar Flyer Designer
ANNE STRICKLAND
Tenth Judicial District Bar Councilors
JUDGE JULIE L. BELL
ANNA DAVIS
NANCY L. GRACE
EVIN GRANT
JESSICA HEFFNER
KIMBERLY A. MOORE
JUDGE ASHLEIGH S. PARKER
JUDGE ROBERT B. RADER
Opinions expressed in Bar Flyer articles are those of members as individuals and does not necessarily represent the views or policies of the Wake County Bar Association.
© 2025 Wake County Bar Association & Tenth Judicial District Bar
FROM TINY HANDS TO 100 YEARS: A DECADE AND A HALF WITH THE WCBA
BY WHITNEY D.G. von HAAM | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.
“The days are long, but the years are short.”
“They grow up so fast.”
“You’ll miss these days.”
There is a point at which, as a parent, you switch from hearing these phrases to saying them, and as I am looking at the final week of having my daughter home before dropping her off in central Pennsylvania for college, I can’t help but reflect on just how true these sentiments are.
This fall, I am celebrating my 15th year at the WCBA and Tenth JD Bar. If you can’t believe it (because I look so young, right?), neither can I. The time has simply flown with memories of noteworthy events, wonderful friendships and maybe even a few missteps that I can now laugh about.
appreciate how much this organization has grown in that time. A new building to call home, new database and website, new committee structure, and many dedicated servant-leaders who have helped develop what makes this bar so special.
L-R Tamryn, Nyah and Adam von Haam following Nyah’s graduation from Leesville Road High School in June.
When I was hired, I had three-year-old Nyah and nine-month-old Tamryn and Adam, and I have often chuckled and shook my head over the faith that the search committee had in me to staff this organization.
And, as I look at how much my kids have grown: one off to college and two ticking off hours on their driving requirements with their permits, I also
Fifteen years is only a small piece of the 100-year pie that the Wake County Bar Association is celebrating this year, but -- like the speed at which technology and seemingly the world is changing -- I believe that these past 15 have moved at a faster clip. We have experienced huge growth in membership, value-added benefits and collegiality. In a world that seems to be going in the opposite direction, I believe we have become a Bar that is closer, happier and maybe even a bit spoiled. I am excited for all that this fall will bring in terms of Centennial Celebrations, but I truly can’t wait to cut a rug, tip a glass and toast to the next 100 at our Gala on December 5…but perhaps what I am most excited about is that the Gala will also mark the imminent return of my daughter with a semester of college under her belt, and so many, many new adventures to tell each other. WBF
von Haam
2025 WCBA FOUNDATION COMMUNITY GRANTS
THE WCBA FOUNDATION is excited to continue our Community Grants program in our centennial year. In line with our mission of being “lawyers serving our community by promoting justice,” the committee works to support local nonprofits or projects who are on the ground addressing access to justice issues. Our 2025 grant cycle recipients are The Gailor Family Law Litigation Clinic of Campbell Law School and SAFEchild. The Gailor Family Law Clinic is a pro bono project of Campbell Law. The clinic allows law students to gain family law experience while offering representation for local low-income clients in need. SAFEchild is Wake County’s lead child abuse prevention agency providing care for local children and their families while spreading awareness about abuse and neglect. Congratulations to both organizations! We’re so glad representatives from each could join us at our July Luncheon. We look forward to seeing how these nonprofits will continue to help our community. WBF
Foundation Steering Committee
Chair Carrie McMilllian awards the Foundation Grant to Gailor Family Law Litigation Clinic Clinical Director Richard Waugaman (above) and SAFEchild Executive Director Cristin DeRonja (below).
2025 WCBA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
IT IS THE HONOR of the Foundation Scholarship Committee to award three deserving local law students the 2025 WCBA Foundation Scholarship. Committee members faced the difficult task of choosing these recipients from among a group of very deserving students. This year’s winners rose to the top. They joined us at the July luncheon to each receive $3,000 to continue their education.
L-R Abby McKnight, Angela Fristoe and Katelyn Gallimore.
Angela Fristoe of Raleigh, is a 2L student at Wake Forest School of Law. She is the president of the Society for Criminal Justice Reform and an officer with the Domestic Violence Action Committee. She exceled in the Trial Bar Competition and the Moot Court Walker Competition.
Katelyn Gallimore of Raleigh is in her third year at Campbell Law School. She is a member of the Campbell Law Review, President of the Women in Law Association and interned in the Blanchard Community
Our third recipient is Abby McKnight, a 2L at Elon School of Law. She serves on the Elon Law Review and works Teen Court, the Innocence Project and the Expungement
Congratulations to Angela, Katelyn and WBF
SHAPING THE FUTURE OF LAW:
OUR ATTORNEYS VOLUNTEER TO INSPIRE
LOCAL STUDENTS
ALICE TEJADA | RALEIGH CITY ATTORNEY
JAMMIE
WACENSKE | MATHESON & ASSOCIATES
CHEYENNE
VAN LEEUWEN | MARSHALL & TAYLOR PLLC
Each contributor to this article is a member of the Public Service Committee.
EVERY SPRING AND SUMMER
some of our attorneys put a pause on their billable hours. A group of our judges hurry over from the courthouse. They bring their time, energy, experience and sometimes judges’ robes to help influence the next generation of the legal profession in Wake County. As luck would have it, two Public Service Committee events were going on the same day in July! It was okay, our volunteers made it all work. Through the annual Rule of Law Day, Lunch With A Lawyer and Camp Confidence programs, members of the Wake County Bar Association did what many set out to do when they went to law school — they made a difference.
Rule of Law Day
curriculum they may be learning in their high school civics classes or social studies — the Bill of Rights.
Teens from more than a dozen Wake County high schools received a copy of the Bill of Rights when they arrived. They looked through the pocket-sized copies nervously in quiet clumps, dressed for the jobs they might have one day as lawyers.
On March 12, the Public Service Committee hosted the annual Rule of Law Day for local high schoolers at Campbell Law School. For this day, students go to the source of
This year the program kicked off with a motivational introduction by WCBA President Kimberly Turner Miller, followed by an inspirational keynote address by Judge Rashad Hauter. He shared his journey to the bench as the first Yemeni American judge in the United States and the first Muslim judge in Wake County. He spoke about his own children in school locally and how his son decided to go to law school.
With our WCBA volunteer attorneys facilitating, the program highlighted the foundational importance and real-world impact the Bill of Rights has on everyday lives of Americans. Students worked in small groups on vignettes from established case law before presenting skits explaining — often hilariously, as only teens can — a particular legal scenario. One skit explored whether there is a Sixth Amendment right to be represented by an attorney who does not fall asleep through a crucial part of the trial. Spoiler: There is!
Tejada
Wacenske
Van Leeuwen
Shaping the Future of Law
Following the presentations, the students had an opportunity to ask questions. For many, this interaction was the first time they have had contact with the legal system. Athens Drive Magnet High School Career Development Coordinator Melonie Carlton called the day, “Incredibly enriching! Discussing a hypothetical situation involving a violation of the Bill of Rights led to thoughtful discussions. Their performances during the panel discussion provided them with the chance to present their skits and learn from the panelists about the relevance of the amendments in our everyday lives in Wake County today.”
Volunteers left that day inspired to see so many young people express deep insight and respect for the rule of law. Their passionate discourse on the Bill of Rights was infectious and encouraged the attorney volunteers to be proud of the profession.
Camp Confidence
This summer program, held in partnership with the Cary Police Department, has as one of its goals, “Working together to deliver safety through excellence.”
The two-week program is designed to help local rising ninth graders who have been impacted by bullying. Students are recommended for camp by local school resource police officers to share different potential future professions. The WCBA has the honor of hosting the legal career days for both the Boys’ Camp and Girls’ Camp. With the help of our volunteer lawyers, these students are provided a fact pattern and split into two groups (prosecution vs. defense) to prepare and hold a trial.
time out of their day and practice to come help shape the young minds of tomorrow. Additionally, to give credit where credit is due, the hard work, time and effort that the officers from the Cary Police Department put into this program each year is beyond compare. It is always amazing to watch how seriously these young students take the fact pattern that they are presented and zealously advocate for their side at trial. If Camp Confidence is an indicator of the litigators to come, Wake County (and the world) needs to watch out.
Lunch With A Lawyer
This year’s Boys’ Camp on June 19 had Judge Brian Ratledge presiding over a drug possession case. The prosecuting students prepared their case to show that the defendant was guilty of possession of marijuana. The defense team worked to show that the defendant was just in the wrong place at the wrong time and that it was just a garage sale gone wrong. After hours of preparation, various objections from both sides and rock-solid closing arguments, the jury found the defendant not guilty.
The Girls’ Camp on July 17 had Judge Lori Christian presiding over a case of holiday shoplifting. The prosecution and defense prepared for a hearing on shoplifting during the Black Friday weekend. The prosecution presented their star witnesses, the mall security guard and a store clerk. The defense presented the good friend of the defendant and the defendant herself, who had never been in trouble before. With some quick thinking, redirects and clarifying questions about witness testimony for the jury, the jury found the defendant guilty.
We truly appreciate the judges and attorneys who take
What kind of mock trial do you think a group of teens would want to act out with Judge Ashleigh Parker and Judge Damion McCullers in a real courtroom? If you guessed a dramatic first-degree murder that could be an episode of “Law & Order,” you would be right!
More than 30 students in the City of Raleigh Summer Youth Employment Program joined WCBA members at Campbell Law at the same time as the Camp Confidence Girls’ Camp. Our volunteers had it covered and made Lunch With A Lawyer fantastic for another year.
After a law student panel discussion and hearing from a panel of attorneys from many different types of law, the high schoolers got to ask impactful questions. “How did you know you wanted to go to law school?” “How do you become a judge?” Lunch was the perfect opportunity to ask lawyers more questions they always wanted to know. The laughter in the room was real and widespread. These students were engaged and excited.
The trip to the North Carolina State Crime Lab was another
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
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GETTING TO KNOW WCBA EQUITY CHAMPION TAYLOR SCRUGGS-SMITH
BY CHERELL M. HARRIS | ASSOCIATE COUNSEL, BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NC COMMITTEE FOR DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION
THE WAKE COUNTY BAR Association selected Taylor Scruggs-Smith as the second Equity Champion in 2025. I had the distinct privilege of chatting with Taylor to learn more about her and what this award means to her.
Harris
Taylor was raised by a single mother in Washington, D.C. and Prince George’s County, Maryland until she was around 13. As a true resident of the D.C.Maryland area, Taylor loves crab legs with Old Bay seasoning. Taylor has wanted to be an attorney since she was three but did not initially want to practice family law because her mother is a clinical therapist.
Taylor initially wanted to practice constitutional law, but an internship at our local family court during her time at Campbell Law in Raleigh changed her perspective. During her internship Taylor observed that many of the pro se litigants in family court were people of color.
Taylor Scruggs-Smith accepts the WCBA Equity Champion recognition on May 22.
Taylor saw this as an area of great need and decided to step into family law, hoping to make a day-to-day impact in the community.
Taylor is one of few Black women certified as a Family Law Mediator in Wake County. This is a niche that is very special to our community, having an advocate that understands our position and unique communication styles is truly a game changer.
Taylor is a Family Law associate at Batch, Poore & Williams PC where she is a zealous advocate for her clients. She currently serves as the president of the Capital City Lawyers Association (CCLA) where her primary goal is to create a safe space for attorneys of color and encourage engagement with the association. From our conversation, Taylor is accomplishing that goal by organizing CLE panels, social events and collaborating with other local organizations. When asked about what being the WCBA Equity Champion means to her Taylor, responded, “That we matter. That we see you and your efforts.”
I, for one, was truly inspired by Taylor’s journey and her career. She is so deserving of being the WCBA Equity Champion! WBF
100 MILES FOR 100 YEARS: THE WCBA LACES UP IN 2025!
JENNIFER JONES | WAKE COUNTY ATTORNEYS OFFICE | LAWYER WELLNESS COMMITTEE
THE 100 MILES for 100 Years Challenge is going strong this summer! I spearheaded this challenge in the hope to share and encourage our fellow members to get outdoors and honor the WCBA’s centennial by pledging 100 miles.
We have 18 members who have submitted their mileage so far. Five have already crushed the 100 Mile Challenge, and three of those have actually doubled it with more than 200 miles. Incredible work, team!
It’s not too late to join in. I encourage you to jump in, even if you are new to the running/walking lifestyle. It’s accessible to almost anyone and offers physical, mental and lifestyle benefits with minimal equipment. Just be sure to get a good pair of shoes and get out there. While I love walking outside, I also invested in a walking pad for about $75 that I can use when it’s too hot or too stormy out. Also great for walking while watching your favorite Netflix shows.
Numerous studies show that walking and running outdoors can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress. Natural surroundings have a calming effect on the mind, often referred to as “green therapy” or “ecotherapy.” Just 20-30 minutes spent walking in a park or wooded area can significantly lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress.
Outdoor exercise also improves cognitive function, enhancing memory, focus and creativity. This is partly due to increased blood flow to the brain and the mental clarity that comes from being unplugged and immersed in nature. For people who spend most of their day indoors or staring at screens, even a short walk outside can serve as a powerful reset, increasing productivity and improving mood. Try to build in a few short walks a day, even if it is just 10 minutes at a time.
Disclaimer: Be sure to see your physician for clearance if you have any health conditions that would limit your ability to participate and/or be outside during physical activity.
At their core, running and walking are excellent forms of cardiovascular exercise. Regular engagement in these activities strengthens the heart, lowers blood pressure, improves circulation and helps regulate blood sugar. Outdoor walking or running also supports joint health by keeping the body in motion, improving mobility and reducing stiffness — especially important as we age. Additionally, weight-bearing activities like walking and running help maintain healthy bone density, lowering the risk of osteoporosis.
Engaging in these exercises outdoors provides an added advantage: exposure to sunlight, which boosts vitamin D production. This nutrient is crucial for bone health, immune function and mood regulation. Walking or running on uneven natural terrain, such as trails or parks, can also enhance balance, coordination and strength, as the body must adapt to varied surfaces.
Perhaps even more powerful than the physical benefits are the mental health improvements associated with outdoor activity.
Walking and running can be solo activities, but they also offer opportunities for social connection. Group runs, walking clubs or simply meeting a friend for a morning walk can strengthen social bonds and combat loneliness. These connections are vital for emotional well-being and can even extend life expectancy. I am an active member of the Pace Yourself Run Club down in Holly Springs. We have daily meetups four days a week, Monday through Thursday — come join us at 6:30 p.m. anytime. I am happy to meet you, or connect you with a fellow member if I can’t be there. We also have rewards for different check-in levels at 10, 25, 50 and 100. This summer I received my 10th check-in for Black Dog, and my 50th check-in for Pace Yourself — on my 50th birthday! In summary, if you are already participating, I hope you will continue to submit those miles. If you have yet to commit to 100 miles, there is no time to start like the present. Come join us as we keep counting the miles through September. WBF
OUR MEMBERS SPEAK:
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM VACATION?
Summer is on everyone’s minds this time of the year and it’s hard to think of summer without summer vacations! We asked WCBA members, “What is your dream trip or vacation? It can be one you dream of one day, or an adventure you have already been on.” Here are their answers:
“If I had to pick a single dream vacation, it would be an epic road trip in our 25-foot RV, loaded with bikes and kayaks. The trip would visit 47 national parks in the 48 continental U.S. states. We’d cycle as many roads, paddle as many lakes and rivers, and hike as many trails as time, the weather, and our bodies allowed us to do. I hope we get the chance when we are young enough to enjoy it.”
Doug Brocker Brocker Law Firm
“I would love to go to Australia and New Zealand to swim the Great Barrier Reef.”
Allison Constance Legal Aid of North Carolina
“My dream trip was backpacking through Europe with my brother in college. We flew into Lisbon with backpacks, train passes and a Rick Steves guidebook (no cell phones!) and had six weeks to make it to Rome for our flight home.”
John Ward Nicholls & Crampton PA
“If I had to choose a favorite—or what feels like a dream trip—it would be our annual family vacation to Hilton Head. While it may not sound exotic or adventurous, it has become a deeply meaningful tradition. For more than 27 years, we’ve returned to the same house with our close family friends. Each year brings its own version of joy: biking everywhere, playing golf and tennis, spending time at the beach, cooking meals together and enjoying good-natured competitions and games. As our families have grown, our adult children now bring their own children, continuing the tradition and strengthening our bonds.
What makes this trip so special isn’t just the location—though Hilton Head is beautiful— but the continuity, the sense of peace and the togetherness it brings. It’s a rare and cherished slice of quiet in our busy lives, and each year we all look forward to it with genuine anticipation. It’s more than a vacation—it’s a family ritual that has helped shape who we are.”
Judge Lori Christian Wake County District Court Judge
“In the fall of 2024, I used my Fulbright Specialist Award to teach for six weeks in the new law school in the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. A peaceful Buddhist nation only slightly removed from an absolute monarchy, their stunningly beautiful new law school is, like their monasteries, buried deep in the mountains. I lived in a flat in the student dorm and spent afternoons and weekends exploring one of the most gorgeous countries in the world.”
Dean Rich Leonard Dean of Campbell University Law School
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND THE PRACTICE OF LAW
NAN HANNAH | HANNAH SHERIDAN & COCHRAN LLP | HISTORY COMMITTEE
TELEPHONE LINES ENTERED law offices around the 1930s or 1940s, but beginning in the 1970s, the technology began to change in a manner that had a direct impact on the way we practice. Recognizing that the early changes were in the desktop, functioning handset as phones moved from direct lines, to multiple lines with the opportunity to hold and transfer calls, and eventually, link calls into conference calls. But until the early 1990s, a cord was still involved.
Another “Dad” based memory sequence. My father had a favorite client who also served as a friend and mentor. This gentleman was a farsighted, strategic-thinking entrepreneur who made use of his favorite lawyer in creating blind trusts and real estate holdings as he, Disney-style, amassed a strategically plotted real estate empire. He really wanted Dad to be available and so offered to get Dad one of the early mobile phones, which was big and bulky and not totally reliable. Dad thanked him but opted out.
All my life, when on family trips, we found a gas station or similar location to stop at about 10:30 a.m. so Dad could get on a pay phone, call his secretary (collect at first and using his AT&T card later) to check on his mail and give her instructions as to dealing with it, and the same with any telephone messages she had amassed. With that done, the trip could continue.
I acquired the first family “bag phone” cellular phone, circa 1996. On a trip north to deal with the estate of a distant relative, Dad asked me to pull over so he could call the office. He was seated in the back seat right next to my phone, so I suggested that he just use it to make the call. He was uncertain, but did as I suggested. Five minutes later, I looked in the rearview mirror and smiled as he was as close to reclined
as he could get in a family station wagon, smiling like the Cheshire Cat, and conducting business as we covered highway miles. It was not much later that he had his first mobile phone.
The next part of the story advances a few years, recognizing the gamechanging nature of phones that were also computers, to the point in time when hands-free devices connected to the audio system in your car. This was, sadly, after Dad’s time, but a story shared by a lawyer friend whose father and mine were good friends, brought a smile to my face.
How many of you reading this story have been barreling down a highway with a family member in your car when the time arrives for a conference call? If you are a lawyer’s kid, you learn at an early age to keep confidence. So, rather than stop and seek security for the conference call, you dial in and start talking as the miles slip by under the wheels of your car. The family member in the car generally knows to keep quiet and try not to pay attention, but every now and then, they slip and ask a question or make a suggestion. Assuming that the suggestion or observation is a good one, one of your associates may get credit for being really smart.
Then, there was the advent of the fax machine. I want to think my memory attached to that comes in the late 1970s. Dad and I always made a beeline for the ABA’s Tech Expo upon arrival at the annual meeting. When Dad first saw a fax machine and had it explained to him, his eyes lit up. He could see that it was going to be a game-changer in the pace of practice. His initial reaction was to gather the information to take back to the firm’s office manager so the firm could acquire one. Then he stopped and thought, did they want to have the only one in town? Seems to be a device that
Hannah
If you are a lawyer’s kid, you learn at an early age to keep confidence. So, rather than stop and seek security for that conference call, you dial in and start talking as the miles slip by under the wheels of your car.
takes two to tango, so they waited until other firms began to acquire them. Now, they are obsolete. The wheel of time spins quickly.
One other thought/addition to the “blue-belted Dictaphone” story and tying it to the speed of practice — When the Dictaphone came along, lawyers could work even when their secretaries were not around as they did not need the secretary to take shorthand dictation. Instead, they dictated letters into a recording device, complete with saying words to indicate punctuation and paragraphs, then took the recording to the secretary’s desk and dropped it off. The secretary would then type, on a typewriter, the document requested. She (almost always a “she” in those days) would drop the draft into the lawyer’s physical inbox. The lawyer would proofread it and mark any typographical errors and
Shaping the Future of Law |
big highlight. The fantastic team of employees shared what it takes to work in the toxicology lab, become an expert in latent evidence, trace clues or hightech digital evidence in a case. State Crime lab professionals shared how often they testify as witnesses in court. The students were wide-eyed seeing the room of firearms and curious about our state’s DNA database.
Impact
Following these events, volunteers received an email from Middle Creek High School ninth-grader Siana Haugen who attended Camp Confidence.
Haugen said of the day, “I had so much fun — not only because we won the trial, but also because I learned a lot of valuable skills that will help me with school papers, debates and critical thinking. In addition, your support and guidance throughout the process was immensely valuable. Your expertise was amazing, and it contributed greatly to helping us understand the procedures of the courtroom and how a typical criminal trial would proceed. It was an exceptional learning experience and
make any editorial changes, then return the paper to the secretary. The secretary would then retype the letter and proofread again for typos. Once a clean and accurate copy was achieved, often two or three days later, the letter or document went into an envelope, a stamp was applied and it was placed in a mailbox. The lawyer or client to whom the pleading or letter was directed, then repeated the process. Think about that process today. WBF
If you have a historical perspective of the legal profession or story from years of practicing, email Membership Coordinator Nathaniel Adcock at nathaniel@wakecountybar.org.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6
truly one of my favorite days at camp.”
The future of law is better and brighter with our members leading the next generation.
Together, we can ensure our bar continues to grow, connect and lead
into its second century. WBF
Celebrating 100 Years of Service, Leadership and Community
The importance of these values was reaffirmed not only at our ceremony but also publicly recognized through proclamations issued by the Wake County Commissioners, the City of Raleigh and Gov. Josh Stein. I encourage you to read these proclamations and view the recording of the reaffirmation ceremony — they serve as a tribute to our shared legacy and a guiding light for our ongoing legal work.
This spring and summer also saw the WCBA deeply engaged in community education and outreach. In March, we hosted local Wake County students at Campbell Law School for Rule of Law Day, where students created and performed skits exploring the protections offered by the Constitution’s Bill of Rights. In July, we partnered with the Cary Police Department to host rising eighth-grade students at the courthouse for Camp Confidence. With the support of WCBA volunteers, students participated in a full mock trial in front
of esteemed Wake County judges. Both programs underscore our commitment to fostering civic understanding and upholding the rule of law.
In April, the WCBA hosted its first WCBA Movie Night at the Rialto. Members came together to socialize and watch the great legal classic, “My Cousin Vinny!” Though this was planned as part of our centennial events lineup, the WCBA is planning to make this a recurring event every April!
In May, we made history during our annual WCBA Picnic at Mordecai Historic Park by taking an official WCBA Centennial photo in front of the BadgerIredell Law Office. This historic structure, dating back to the early 1800s, once served as the office of prominent Raleigh attorneys George E. Badger and James A.Iredell Jr. Its restoration was made possible by the WCBA and the BadgerIredell Foundation, serving as a physical link to our rich legal heritage.
At our July luncheon, we proudly recognized the recipients of the WCBA Foundation’s Grant Program, awarding $30,000 each to Campbell University’s Gailor Family Law Litigation Clinic and SAFEchild. These organizations reflect our mission of expanding access to justice in Wake County.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue the centennial celebration over the next five months. One of the highlights will be the Bar Awards, scheduled for October 23, benefiting Legal Aid of North Carolina. In honor of our 100th anniversary, we’ve set a goal to raise $100,000 — and I invite you to join me in sponsoring this important event.
We’ll close out our centennial year in grand style with a Centennial Gala on December 5, at the Angus Barn Pavilion. I hope you’ll join us to celebrate 100 years of WCBA achievements, fellowship and enduring commitment to justice. WBF
WCBA May Picnic at the historic Badger-Iredell House in Raleigh on Tuesday, May 6.
DIRECT EXAMINATION:
JUDGE G. BRYAN COLLINS JR.
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 Resident Superior Court Judge G. Bryan Collins Jr. Judge Collins
When you were in elementary school, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I grew up during the Space Race and was a huge fan of the early astronauts. John Glenn, Alan Shepard and Neil Armstrong were my first heroes. By the time I was actually old enough to be an astronaut, the thrill was gone and I chose a more “grounded” profession.
What was the most important lesson your parents taught you?
I won the parent lottery. Both my parents were outstanding citizens who did their best to help less fortunate people and to make the world a better place. The lesson that stands out to me was to never look down on another human being. Every person has value, and I’m not better than anybody else.
Who was your favorite teacher and why?
Mr. William Clark was my high school U.S. Government teacher. He instilled in me a love of the Constitution and our system of justice. He selected me to be the judge in our mock trial, planting the seed that led to me becoming a lawyer and a judge.
Did you love or hate law school?
I loved everything about law school. I found the course work fascinating and challenging. I developed many friendships that have lasted more than 40 years. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot from some dedicated professors. I’m still a student of the law, which comes in handy at work.
What was your most embarrassing courtroom experience?
My very first trial was a bench trial before the irascible Rusty Sherrill. During my closing argument, the prosecutor jumped out of her chair so quickly that
her feet left the ground and screamed, “OBJECTION!” Judge Sherrill didn’t change expression and in an indifferent tone of voice said, “It doesn’t matter. I’m not listening to him.”
What was your best courtroom experience?
During the trial of a District Court case, I was able to demonstrate through the cross examination of a police officer that he had made a mistake that caused a key piece of evidence to be excluded and my client to be acquitted. The officer caught up to me as I was leaving and told me he appreciated how professionally I had treated him and that I had just made him a better police officer.
Why did you become a lawyer?
I grew up out in the country in Wilkes County. When I was a 16-year-old, I received a speeding ticket. My father told me that I got myself into trouble and so it was up to me to figure out how to get myself out of trouble. I went to see the only lawyer I knew. He was very kind to me and made me feel a lot better. When my court date came, I arrived early and watched everything that happened in the courtroom with great fascination. Everybody knew my lawyer and treated him with great respect, almost reverence. I wanted to make people feel better who were in trouble and I wanted to be treated with that kind of respect. I had been thinking about becoming a lawyer but that sealed the deal.
What has been the most surprising or unexpected development in your career?’
Being selected as this edition’s Direct Examination was quite surprising. Perhaps even more unexpected was my appointment as Wake County’s first Public Defender. That office just
celebrated its 20th anniversary. The year before the office was created, the General Assembly had declined to give Wake a public defender office and so when it got stuck into a bill at the last minute by surprise the next year, the time frame was extremely compressed. I closed down a thriving law practice and opened the PD office all in the space of about three months.
What is your favorite book?
I still read books with the wide-eyed amazement of a child. Every book I read becomes my favorite. My thirst for knowledge is never quenched. If forced to choose one, it would be A Time to Kill by John Grisham.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My hillbilly accent.
What is your hidden talent?
I won a karaoke contest at the Top Side Tavern singing “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys.” Some people enjoy and appreciate my singing. My youngest daughter could not be more embarrassed than when I’m singing.
Who are your real-life heroes?
My Dad. My Mom. Roger Smith. Dean Smith. Charles Becton. Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Allegra Collins.
When and where were you happiest? Right here and right now. I have the most wonderful family and friends and colleagues. Combine all of that with the perspective I’ve gained from living almost 65 years and living my life to the fullest; and there is no place in time better than the present. WBF
BURNED OUT OR JUST MISALIGNED? RETHINKING YOUR LEGAL CAREER
CAMILLE STELL | LAWYERS MUTUAL
BFor solo and small-firm lawyers, the risk can be especially acute. Without the buffer of a large support system, these practitioners often carry the entire weight of running a law practice — legal work, client service, administration, billing, marketing and more.
URNOUT AMONG LEGAL professionals is not a new phenomenon, but it is increasingly becoming a driving force behond career dessatisfaction, early retirement and even malpractice claims.
For solo and small-firm lawyers, the risk can be especially acute. Without the buffer of a large support system, these practitioners often carry the entire weight of running a law practice — legal work, client service, administration, billing, marketing and more.
Burnout doesn’t just impact lawyers personally — it affects their clients, their communities and ultimately, the quality of their professional work. It also plays a role in the erosion of civility and culture within the legal profession. The Toronto Lawyers Association 2024 report, “Advancing Civility in the Legal Profession,” cited nearly 70% of lawyers surveyed felt that civility and professionalism among colleagues had declined, with younger lawyers, especially women and minority lawyers, disproportionately affected.
Understanding Burnout in the Legal Profession
The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It’s characterized by:
• Emotional exhaustion
• Cynicism or detachment from the job
• Reduced professional efficacy
In conversations with lawyers across North Carolina, many describe their burnout not as pure exhaustion, but as disillusionment.
As Will Graebe, a Lawyers Mutual claims attorney, explains: “The burnout that I see and hear from lawyers is not so much burnout from exhaustion but rather is burnout from feeling overwhelmed
and cynical about technology. I have talked to numerous lawyers who are deciding to retire earlier than they had intended because they don’t want to keep up with the requirement of technological competence.”
The mental toll of burnout has ripple effects. Graebe notes that mental health struggles and burnout have been, if not directly linked, then certainly indirectly linked, to legal malpractice claims.
The Solo and Small-Firm Challenge
Solo and small-firm attorneys are uniquely vulnerable. They often have limited resources, no IT departments and few internal mental health supports. As one lawyer nearing retirement shared, “I don’t want to keep up with the tech changes. It’s exhausting. I’m just ready to walk away.”
In the insurance context, we’ve seen how burnout-related mental health issues can lead to claims. In one case, a burnedout attorney made an error, sought help, took a break and ultimately returned to a healthier practice. But not everyone gets that second chance.
Burnout isn’t just about long hours. It’s about the emotional and psychological toll of feeling constantly overwhelmed — by work, client demands, economic pressure or rapid change.
Strategies
to
Prevent and Address Burnout
Set Realistic Boundaries
• Establish firm office hours and stick to them.
• Let clients know when you’re available — and when you’re not.
• Schedule uninterrupted time for deep work and breaks.
Stell
Burnout doesn’t just impact lawyers personally – it affects their clients, their communities and ultimately, the quality of their professional work.
Rethinking Your Legal Career
Embrace Technology — On Your Terms
• Rather than resisting tech changes, find tools that actually make your life easier.
• Automate routine tasks like scheduling, billing and document assembly.
• Take CLEs focused on practical tech that suits small firms (not just “big law” solutions).
Invest in Peer Support
• Isolation contributes to burnout. Find a small group of lawyers to meet with monthly.
• Join local practice-specific groups.
• Consider working from a shared legal co-working space.
Prioritize Wellness
• Get enough sleep, move your body and seek support when needed.
• Normalize therapy, coaching and peer check-ins.
• Engage in non-legal hobbies that recharge you.
Revisit Your “Why”
• Reflect on what drew you to law in the first place.
• Consider niche practices or alternate paths like mediation if traditional practice isn’t working.
• You’re allowed to evolve your career — and your definition of success.
Redesigning the Practice for Sustainability
Avoiding burnout isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing better — with more intention and alignment. Many solo and small-firm lawyers find renewed purpose when they shift to a values-based practice. That might mean narrowing your client base, increasing your rates to work less hours or transitioning to part-time practice with a focus on mentoring or pro bono. As the legal culture evolves, rebuilding professionalism and civility requires lawyers to stay well — not just to avoid burnout, but to be the kind of colleagues and advocates our profession needs. As Christina Porretta
said in her recent article on the erosion of civility, “Civility is not a ‘soft skill.’ It is fundamental to competent and ethical lawyering.”
Is It Time to Pivot?
Sometimes, burnout is a signal — not just to slow down, but to reconsider your direction entirely. If you’re feeling disengaged, questioning your purpose or struggling to picture yourself practicing law in five years, it might be time to consider a career pivot.
A career change doesn’t have to mean leaving the law altogether. Many lawyers find fulfillment by moving into adjacent roles that use their legal skills in new ways — consulting, compliance, mediation, teaching, writing, nonprofit leadership or working in legal tech. Others stay within the profession but shift their practice area, join in-house legal departments or explore parttime or freelance models.
One inspiring example is Alexandra Macey Davis, a local lawyer who transitioned from practicing attorney to consultant to lawyer-turned-author. Her book, “Pivot: The Nontraditional J.D. Careers Handbook,” offers a practical guide for lawyers exploring new paths. The book features stories of real attorneys who’ve redefined success on their own terms, along with exercises and strategies for evaluating your options.
If you’re considering a pivot, here are some helpful resources:
• Career coaches specializing in lawyers can help you clarify your goals, identify transferable skills and create an actionable transition plan. BarCARES offers this resource and Tenth J.D. Bar members receive three free visits a year.
• Podcasts like “The Former Lawyer Podcast,” “Counsel to Counsel” and “The Jabot” highlight stories of lawyers who have made successful pivots.
• Online communities and forums — Search your favorite social media channels for online communities that offer support, networking and shared experiences.
• CLEs and workshops — Look for programs on alternative careers, legal design or law and innovation to expose yourself to new possibilities.
• Books — In addition to Davis’ “Pivot,” other titles such as “Life After Law” by Liz Brown and “What Can You Do With a Law Degree?” by Deborah Arron offer another view of alternative legal careers. “Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans is a favorite of mine.
Even if you ultimately stay in practice, taking the time to evaluate what’s next can reenergize your career and give you a renewed sense of direction. A pivot doesn’t have to be drastic — it can be a series of small steps that bring your work into better alignment with your strengths and values.
Conclusion: You’re Not Alone
If you’re feeling burned out, you’re not broken — you’re human. And you’re not alone. Many lawyers are reevaluating what it means to build a sustainable, fulfilling legal career. By taking small, intentional steps today, you can safeguard your health, protect your practice and contribute to a more civil, supportive and resilient profession. WBF
Camille Stell is the Vice President of Risk & Practice Management for Lawyers Mutual and the co-author of the book, RESPECT –An Insight to Attorney Compensation Plans available from Amazon. Continue this conversation by contacting Camille at camille@ lawyersmutualconsulting.com or 800-662-8843.
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