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Committee & Task Force Descriptions

A-H |  I-P |  Q-Z

A-H

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: Mike Weddington) (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: Chris Browning) (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: Gene Pridgen) (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: Judge Erwin Spainhour & Bill Womble, Jr.) (Staff Liaison: Kim Crouch)

Charter & Bylaws Committee (A/F), made up of members of the Board of Governors, has the authority to originate and recommend amendments to the Charter & Bylaws of both the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Association Foundation, Inc. The Committee receives suggestions from sections, committees and members. It also assists the Board of Governors in submitting proposed charter and bylaws amendments to the membership. (Co-Chairs: Deborah Foster & Corie Pauling) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Citizen-Lawyer Task Force investigates and reports ways in which lawyers of North Carolina can become more engaged as productive citizens in their respective communities. The Task Force will consider new ways for law firms to enable its lawyers to commit time and energy outside of law practice toward their communities; ways to encourage more participation of lawyers in local civic organizations, local government, school boards, and state legislature; ways to improve participation in pro bono activities; and ways to improve the attorney's sense of self worth. (Chair: William Gammon) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

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: Melissa Weaver) (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: LeAnn Nease Brown) (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: Scott Wyatt) (Staff Liaison: Tom Hull)

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: Ralph Clontz) (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 and then monitors grants to ensure effective use of funds and successful completion of grant projects. (Chair: Robin Stinson) (Staff Liaison: Tom Hull)

4All Task Force (F) is an NC Bar Association and NC Bar Association Foundation initiative to address the provision of civil legal services to the poor in North Carolina. The Task Force evaluates current awareness of the needs for legal services, including funding sources and volunteerism, and works to educate lawyers, policy makers and the public about those needs. The Task Force, among other things, works to create (1) a grass roots lobbying mechanism of NCBA members to address state and national funding for legal services, (2) a plan to address educational debt of current and prospective legal services attorneys, (3) methods to fund the NCBA Foundation Endowment for Legal Aid of North Carolina, and (4) a systematic approach to increase the number of NC lawyers providing pro bono services to the poor. (Co-Chairs: Kim Sieredzki & Jon Heyl) (Staff Liaison: Michelle Cofield)

I-P

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: Lynn Calder) (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)

Joint Diversity Task Force was created in response to various diversity initiatives highlighted in the Association's Momentum 2010 Strategic Plan. Established committees of the Association that represent the interest of minority and women lawyer groups were called upon by the Strategic Plan to develop ways to recruit and retain minority and women lawyers to the bar, and develop strategies for leadership development of minority and women lawyers. Four committees provide representation to serve on the Task Force: Membership, Minorities in the Profession, Hispanic/Latino Lawyers and Women in the Profession. The two main objectives of the Task Force are to 1) find ways to better foster a culture of professionalism, civility and collegiality among all segments of the legal community in North Carolina; and 2) to develop and implement one or more strategies for recruiting more minority Bar Association members and promoting and increasing leadership in the Bar Association by minority and women lawyers. (Chair: Paul Meggett) (Staff Liaison: Whitney von Haam)

Judicial Independence Committee 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: Judge Wade Barber & Justice Beverly Lake) (Staff Liaison: Kim Crouch)

Judicial Performance Evaluation (JPE) Committee (F) was established as a stand-alone committee in 2008 to independently analyze the data collected from the JPE surveys, measure the data to determine its validity, make recommendations to the Board of Governors as to succeeding steps and scope of the JPE Project, and determine adequate funding for the future of the JPE project. (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, identify Spanish-speaking attorneys around the state to assist non-English speaking clients and exchange information on the particular needs of Hispanic/Latino clients. (Chair: Mike DeFrank) (Staff Liaison: Whitney von Haam)

Law-Related Education Advisory 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: Rod Allison & Mike Gross) (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 Blake Morant) (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: Roy A. Baroff) (Staff Liaison: Russell Rawlings)

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: David Holm) (Staff Liaison: Michelle Cofield)

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 review section and committee legislative proposals and develop recommendations regarding those proposals, specifically focusing on the following four priorities: (1) Promoting and improving the administration of justice in North Carolina; (2) Fostering and encouraging law reform when in the public interest; (3) Advancing the art and science of jurisprudence in all aspects and improving the standards of service of the bar to the general public; and (4) Fostering, protecting and promoting the common professional interest of the lawyer and providing a means of organization through which our members may pursue these and other such objectives as may be common to them as members of a learned profession. (Chair: Ed Winslow) (Staff Liaison: Kim Crouch)

Local Bar Services Committee acts as the advisory committee for the North Carolina Bar Association's Local Bar Services project. Membership consists of active members of local bar associations who provide ideas and suggestions as to how the North Carolina Bar Association can assist local bars as well as help implement, evaluate and comment on proposed plans. (Chair: Vedia Jones-Richardson) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Medico-Legal Liaison 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: Christina Douglas) (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: Camille Payton) (Staff Liaison: Whitney von Haam)

Memorials Committee 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: Arnita Dula & Carlton Williamson) (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: Clayton Morgan & Takeisha Redd) (Staff Liaison: Julie Fink)

Modest Means Access Committee (F) is responsible for implementing the recommendations in the Pro Se Task Force Final Report of January 2004. It will continue to study and monitor the needs of modest means clients in NC and work to advocate innovative ideas and techniques that can be implemented within the legal community to help increase access to the courts for people of modest means. (Chair: Jennifer Harrod) (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: Oct 09 appointment) (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 who are 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: Charles Becton) (Staff Liaison: Allan Head)

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

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: Ken Butler) (Staff Liaison: Russell Rawlings)

Public Service Advisory 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: Murray Greason) (Staff Liaison: Michelle Cofield)

Q-Z

Resolutions Committee (A/F) is made up of members of the Board of Governors, 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: Brad Schulz) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Strategic Planning & Emerging Trends Committee (A/F) is responsible for a continual process of planning 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. (Chair: Rose Kenyon) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)

Technology Advisory 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: Chris Dorrestein-Schultz) (Staff Liaison: Tom Purdy)

Tort Issues Task Force will meet at the call of the 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: Burton Craige & Steve Coles) (Staff Liaison: Kim Crouch)

Women in the Profession Committee is charged with studying issues and making recommendations to the bar and the North Carolina Bar Association relating to women in the legal profession in North Carolina. (Chair: Diane Tindall) (Staff Liaison: David Bohm)