Annual Meeting Update: Speakers, Awards

Article Date: Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Written By: Russell Rawlings

Gov. Perdue

Gov. Bev Perdue will address the 2009 Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Bar Association, scheduled June 25-28 at the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville.

Confirmation of Gov. Perdue’s plans adds excitement to an Annual Meeting agenda that is already brimming with many outstanding programs and events. Plans are still being finalized but traditional highlights including the presentation of awards and the swearing-in of the new president are prominent throughout the four-day agenda.

Additional speakers who have committed to attend include veteran NFL official Walt Coleman, CLE standout Don Cowan, a past-president of the NCBA and senior economist Mark Vitner of Wachovia.

Online registration is already under way – click here to register – and printed promotional materials will be available soon. Room reservations, which are secured separately by convention attendees, are now being accepted by the Grove Park Inn and overflow hotels, all of which are providing excellent group rates for NCBA members.

Walt Coleman

The Saturday evening swearing-in ceremonies, during which John R. Wester of Charlotte will succeed Charles L. Becton of Durham as the 115th president of the NCBA, will include a sit-down dinner, a performance by the Mecklenburg Bar Revue and dancing until midnight with a live band.

General Practice Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are scheduled Thursday night. The inductees, who were selected recently by members of the GP, Small Firm and Solo Section, are J. Max Boxley of Raleigh, Charles E. Clement of Boone, William H. Holdford of Wilson, William P. Mayo of Washington, Bobby Burns McNeill of Raeford, Meyressa H. Schoonmaker of Winston-Salem and Henry P. “Hank” Van Hoy II of Mocksville.

Citizen Lawyer Awards will be presented during the Friday morning General Session. The recipients are Carole Bruce of Greensboro, Sen. Dan Clodfelter, Kristi Kessler Walters, Robert Harrington and Shirley Fulton of Charlotte, Paul Meggett of Hillsborough, James Narron of Smithfield, Kim Stogner of Winston-Salem, Lisa Angel of Raleigh, Philip Baddour Jr. of Goldsboro, Paul Holt Jr. of Sylva and Wade Harrison of Burlington.

General Sessions are planned for Friday and Saturday. The Family Dinner at Taylor Ranch and receptions for all seven North Carolina law schools are also scheduled Friday, as are the annual golf and tennis tournaments.

Mark Vitner

Saturday’s General Session will include the election of the new president-elect, remarks from Chief Justice Sarah Parker of the N.C. Supreme Court, and presentation of the Dr. I. Beverly Lake Public Service Award and the Judge John J. Parker Memorial Award.

Stay tuned for further details and make your reservations now for the 2009 NCBA Annual Meeting.