Committee Descriptions

2011-2012 NCBA & NCBA Foundation Committee & Task Force Descriptions With Chairs & Staff Liaisons (F = NCBA Foundation Committees)

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Access To Justice Leadership Council (ATJ-LC) (F) provides NCBA leadership to increase the level of financial support by lawyers for the annual statewide Legal Aid of North Carolina Access to Justice Campaign. It works to strengthen local bar and legal aid office relationships while actively encouraging local financial contributions of the private bar to the ATJ annual campaign. (Chair: Jim Maxwell) (Staff Liaison: Tom Hull)

Administration of Justice Committee (F) monitors the civil and criminal justice systems in North Carolina and addresses such important issues as overcrowded court dockets, creation of new courts, public defender's offices and judicial salaries. (Chair: Edward (Ted) Hennessey) (Staff Liaison: Kim Crouch)

Appellate Rules Committee (F) examines the rules of appellate procedure and recommends needed changes to the North Carolina Bar Association Board of Governors for ultimate referral to the Chief Justice and the North Carolina Supreme Court. (Chair: Brad Kutrow) (Staff Liaison: Kim Crouch)

Audit & Finance Committee (A/F) is made up of members of the Board of Governors. It reviews the financial affairs of the North Carolina Bar Association and North Carolina Bar Association Foundation, Inc., prepares the annual budget and serves as the audit committee. (Chair: Mike Wells) (Staff Liaison: Ginny Craig)

Bench/Bar Liaison Committee promotes cooperation between the bench and the bar to advance the profession and its service to the public. Membership consists of judges and attorneys. (Co-Chairs: Mike Mitchell & Judge Joseph Turner) (Staff Liaison: Kim Crouch)

Call 4ALL Task Force (F) plans, oversees, and implements the NCBAF's efforts in with the Call 4ALL program. Call 4ALL is an extension of the 4ALL Service Day. Call 4ALL attorneys volunteer to talk with clients through one-hour telephone interviews, from the attorney's office, and at the frequency he or she designates, to provide advice or discrete services to pre-screened Legal Aid-eligible clients. ( Co-Chairs: Debra Foster & Gray Styersr) (Staff Liaison: Mary Horowitz)

Charter & Bylaws Committee (A/F) is made up of members of the Board of Governors. The committee originates and recommends amendments to the Charter & Bylaws of both the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation, Inc. It also assists the Board of Governors in submitting proposed charter and bylaws amendments to the membership. (Chair: David Daggett) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Citizen-Lawyer Committee promotes the public service of attorneys in North Carolina through the Citizen Lawyer Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize and thank lawyers who exemplify the ideals of a citizen lawyer, such as an attorney's public service in appointed and elected positions, work with non-profit charitable and political organizations, and volunteering with youth sports programs and religious organizations. (Chair: John Lassiter) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Committee For Judicial Independence is charged with implementing the provisions of the Judicial Independence Resolution (adopted by the NC Bar Association's Board of Governors on January 17, 2002) which include promoting judicial independence by increasing public and legislative awareness of the importance of an impartial and independent judiciary and seeking improvements in the methods of selection of judges and justices. (Co-Chairs: Justice Jim Exum & John Wester) (Staff Liaison: Kim Crouch)

Communications Committee recommends to the North Carolina Bar Association Board of Governors and/or Executive Director requirements to accommodate the communications needs of the Bar Association. It also educates and informs the public of the programs and projects of the Association, helps the public understand law and the role of lawyers in society and instills confidence and respect of the legal system by using whatever media are most effective and appropriate. It educates and informs members about the Association's activities, accomplishments and opportunities and helps members improve themselves as attorneys. (Chair: Perry Morrison) (Staff Liaison: Russell Rawlings)

Continuing Legal Education Committee (F) has oversight responsibility for the Continuing Legal Education program of the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation, Inc. (Chair: Steve Carr) (Staff Liaison: Ray Ruppert)

Convention Planning Advisory Committee is charged with advising the President and North Carolina Bar Association staff in planning the Bar Association's Annual Meeting. (Chair: Alex Dale) (Staff Liaison: Tom Hull)

Court Funding Initiatives Task Force (F) seeks innovative ways for the bar and the business community to collaborate in building a broader base of support for North Carolina's state court system. The task force will develop and implement strategies demonstrating the importance of a sound and sufficiently funded court system to the state's economic prosperity. (Chair: Kearns Davis) (Staff Liaison: Russell Rawlings)

Development Committee (F) provides volunteer leadership for fundraising activities conducted by the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation, Inc. including the fundraising for the annual Patron Campaign; the growth of the Foundation's Endowment through the establishment of Justice Funds, Liberty Funds and other named funds; the education of members about planned giving opportunities and the Platt D. Walker Society; and special projects assigned by the Foundation Board of Directors. (Chair: Francis Bagbey) (Staff Liaison: Tom Hull)

Endowment Committee (F) reviews funding requests and recommends grants from the Endowment of the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation, Inc. Upon approval of the Foundation Board of Directors, awards. publicizes and then monitors grants to ensure effective use of funds and successful completion of grant projects. (Chair: Jean Carter) (Staff Liaison: Tom Hull)

4All Service Day Committee (F) is a joint initiative NC Bar Association and NC Bar Association Foundation that provides civil legal services to the poor in North Carolina. The Committee implements and executes the 4ALL Statewide Service Day, held annually on the first Friday in March since 2008, at which volunteer attorneys field legal questions from those in need. This Committee works with all NCBA and NCBAF entities and the legal aid community to garner volunteers, to update support and training materials, and to ensure that thousands of callers receive free legal assistance from North Carolina attorneys on Statewide Service Day. (Co-Chairs: Daniel Merlin & Emily Moseley) (Staff Liaison: Michelle Cofield)

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Immigration Law Committee offers a forum for immigration and naturalization issues, as well as an opportunity for attorneys, legal assistants and law students with an interest in immigration law, to network and share common concerns, interests and pursuits. (Chair: Heather Sivaraman) (Staff Liaison: Michelle Cofield)

Investment Committee (A/F) oversees the investments of the North Carolina Bar Association and North Carolina Bar Association Foundation, Inc. (including the Endowment) and assures that their respective funds are invested in the proper manner. (Chair: Mike Hearn) (Staff Liaison: Ginny Craig)

Judicial Performance Evaluation (JPE) Committee (F) was created as a stand-alone committee in 2008 to conduct a judicial performance evaluation survey of Superior and District Court judges whose seats are up in the next election cycle. The committee serves to strengthen the judiciary by providing the citizens of North Carolina with information they need to make informed and educated choices when voting for judges. (Chair: Justice Rhoda Billings) (Vice-Chair: Nancy Norelli) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Latino Affairs Committee works to establish a network of Hispanic/Latino lawyers in North Carolina, identifies Spanish-speaking attorneys around the state to assist non-English speaking clients and exchanges information on the particular needs of Hispanic/Latino clients. (Chair: Monica Thomas) (Staff Liaison: Michelle Cofield)

Law-Related Education Committee (F) is responsible for organizing and promoting the NC Bar Foundation's efforts toward a better understanding of, and appreciation for, the rule of law in both the youth and adult population of our state. The Lawyers in the Schools Committee was merged into the Law- Related Education Advisory Committee in an effort to make a very successful program even better and far reaching. (Co-Chairs: Rufus Allen & Ryan Blackledge) (Staff Liaison: Diane Wright)

Law School Liaison Committee facilitates communication between legal educators and the practicing bar and serves as a clearinghouse for information regarding the law schools. The committee also is responsible for examining and monitoring all aspects of pre-licensure education. (Chair: Dean Melissa A Essary ) (Staff Liaison: Ray Ruppert)

Lawyer Effectiveness & Quality of Life Committee (F) is responsible for carrying out the recommendations of the Quality of Life Task Force as set out in its Final Report dated June 20, 1991. In carrying out these recommendations, the committee engages in activities to help attorneys successfully practice law in an ever increasingly complex and competitive profession. (Chair: John Sarratt) (Staff Liaison: Anne Strickland)

Lawyer Referral Service Committee (F) monitors and advises the North Carolina Bar Foundation and Lawyer Referral Service staff on the operation of the North Carolina Lawyer Referral Service. (Chair: Ronnie Ansley) (Staff Liaison: Mary Horowitz)

Legislative Advisory Committee works with the Bar Association's Office of Governmental Affairs to provide advice and counsel to the Bar Association's Board of Governors as it relates to public policy and legislative priorities. It will closely look at strategies and initiatives that the Bar Association may undertake to effectively advance its legislative agenda, particularly on substantive legislation involving the legal profession and the administration of justice in North Carolina. The Committee will develop and propose recommendations to the Board of Governors regarding strategies to: (1) prioritize legislation that advances the core fundamental principles of the Bar Association concerning the promotion and improvement of the administration of justice and that protects the interests of the profession as a whole; (2) develop new and strengthen existing relationships with legislators to raise the Bar Association's profile, and the profile of the legal profession as a whole, with the General Assembly in order to maximize opportunities to advance the Bar Association's legislative agenda; (3) develop grassroots initiatives and relationships with entities outside of the legal profession where such initiatives and relationships help to advance the Bar Association's legislative agenda; (4) continue to assist with advancing the legislative proposals of the various Bar Association sections and committees, consistent with the Bar Association's primary legislative agenda; and (5) devote the necessary and appropriate resources, including human resources, to ensure effective representation of the Bar Association's interests at the General Assembly. (Chair: Paul Meggett) (Staff Liaison: Kim Crouch)

Local Bar Services Committee acts as the advisory committee to offer recommendations about how the Association may serve the needs of local bar organizations. This committee also conducts the annual Bar Leadership Institute, a full day of leadership skills learning for leaders of local, judicial district, and specialty bar organizations across the state.(Chair: Cindy Pittard) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Medico-Legal Liaison Code Committee is responsible for periodic review of and revisions to the Medico-Legal Guidelines and for promoting the understanding and cooperation between the bar and the medical profession. (Chair: Griff Shuler) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Membership Committee is charged with identifying, recommending and implementing strategies to encourage new and continued membership of North Carolina attorneys in the North Carolina Bar Association. The committee also identifies ways to attract and retain the membership and to foster the participation of certain attorney groups such as women, ethnic minorities, nonprofit counsel, plaintiffs' attorneys and public-sector attorneys. The committee reviews all services offered to North Carolina Bar Association members, as well as membership recruitment and retention. (Chair: Lisa Angel) (Staff Liaison: Erin Cleghorn)

Memorials Committee  is made up of members of the Board of Governors. It is responsible for reporting the names of deceased North Carolina Bar Association members and honoring them by a memorial tribute at the Annual Meeting. (Co-Chairs: Jon Heyl & Jill Raspet) (Staff Liaison: Allan Head)

Minorities in the Profession Committee seeks to encourage participation of minorities in the legal profession and to offer opportunities to support minorities pursuing a law degree. It is also charged with developing a specific plan for the implementation of the Final Report and Recommendations of the Commission on Race Relations in the Legal Profession adopted by the Bar Association's Board of Governors in April 1996. (Co-Chairs: Camille Payton & Keisha Redd) (Staff Liaison: Michelle Cofield)

Nominations Committee selects and nominates qualified Bar Association members for the offices of vice-presidents and board members, which are voted on by the membership at the Bar Association's Annual Meeting. (Chair:TBD Oct. 2011) (Staff Liaison: Allan Head)

Past Presidents Council serves as a leadership resource to the various working groups of the Bar Association and Bar Foundation. Its membership consists of seven past presidents of the North Carolina Bar Association charged with the responsibility of following up on major reports and recommendations, reviewing existing programs and advising current leadership on new challenges and opportunities. The Council also screens nominees for the office of President-Elect and important Association awards. (Chair: Gene Pridgen) (Staff Liaison: Allan Head)

Personnel Committee (A/F) consults with the Executive Director and Audit and Finance Committee to advise Bar Association Officers and Board of Governors regarding personnel matters. (Chair: Gene Pridgen) (Staff Liaison: Allan Head)

Pro Bono Strategic Planning Task Force (F) is charged with evaluating all pro bono and public service efforts with which the NCBA and NCBF are involved, and formulating a strategic plan regarding the same. ( Chair: Caryn McNeill) (Staff Liaison: Mary Horowitz)

Professionalism Committee (F) develops and oversees professionalism initiatives on behalf of the NCBA and the NCBA Foundation, including the North Carolina Lawyer Professional Creed. In conjunction with the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism, the committee publishes Lawyer to Lawyer: North Carolina Reflections on the Practice of Law, a collection of professionalism essays provided at no cost to all newly licensed North Carolina Lawyers. The committee selects recipients for the annual H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award and, upon request of the president, recommends the Willis Smith and Willis Smith Jr. Professionalism and Ethics speaker for the NCBA Annual Meeting. (Chair: Julian Wright) (Staff Liaison: Russell Rawlings)

Public Service Committee (F) advises the Bar Foundation on activities relating to the delivery of legal services to indigents and those of modest means, including the volunteer lawyers program. (Chair: Tripp Greason) (Staff Liaison: Mary Horowitz)

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Resolutions Committee (A/F) is made up of members of the Board of Governors. It prepares and screens all resolutions to be voted on by the membership at the Annual Meeting. It also serves as a working committee at Board meetings to draft necessary resolutions for considerations by the Board. (Chair: Bill Cannon) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Strategic Planning & Emerging Trends Committee (A/F) is responsible for the continual planning process necessary to refine the goals of the Association and Foundation and to identify emerging issues of importance to the profession that should be addressed by the Association and Foundation. This committee also creates the strategic plan for the organization and is responsible for the implementation of such plan. (Chair: Kevin Williams) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Technology Committee is charged with a threefold purpose: (1) Based on a continuing assessment of need, and in cooperation with other public and private entities, to encourage development and implementation of reliable remote access available to all North Carolina legal professionals via computer to public records, including those created and maintained by the judicial branch and other state and local government agencies; (2) To support and oversee the evaluation and implementation of new technologies that support the mission, committees, sections, divisions, members, and staff of the NC Bar Association; and (3) To help Association members realize the benefits of technology through the identification and recommendation of technology products, services, and providers of particular interest to legal professionals, as well as the negotiation of special offers from these providers for Association members. (Chair: Ben Gallop) (Staff Liaison: Tom Purdy)

Tort Issues Task Force will meet at the call of the co-chairs to review and react to proposed "tort reform" legislation offered at the legislature, to make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Governors with respect to such legislation and, if agreed to by the co-chairs, to meet for any other purpose to advance the administration of justice related to "tort law." (Co-Chairs: Steve Coles & Mark Holt) (Staff Liaison: Kim Crouch)

Women in the Profession Committee serves as a resource for the Association by, among other things, identifying ways to encourage and maintain the active participation and advancement of women in the Association and the legal profession. This is achieved, in part, through educational programs, awareness initiatives, and networking events that highlight the accomplishments of women attorneys. (Chair: Mary Nash Rusher; Vice-Chair: Melinda Burrows) (Staff Liaison: Erin Cleghorn)

Young Lawyer Initiatives Task Force focuses on designing and implementing a revitalized mentoring program for young lawyers; establishing a leadership academy for young lawyers; and facilitating a candid discussion of issues affecting young lawyers, such as employment opportunities, law school debt, quality of life, professionalism in this environment, depression, and drug and substance abuse. (Chair: Patti W. Ramseur) (Staff Liaison: Allan Head)