Citizen Lawyer Dan Clodfelter
Article Date: Friday, June 26, 2009
Written By: by Milind Dongre
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| Sen. Dan Clodfelter |
The North Carolina Bar Association
recently recognized state Sen. Dan Clodfelter with its 2009 Citizen
Lawyer Award in recognition of his sustained efforts to contribute
to his community outside the practice of law.
Clodfelter is in his sixth term representing District 37
(Mecklenberg County) in the General Assembly. Clodfelter's focus
has been economic development and is he recognized as a leading
voice for the courts of North Carolina. Clodfelter used his legal
background to advocate in the legislature for the passage of ethics
laws as well as judicial reform laws deemed necessary for the
state's judicial system to adapt to the 21st century's demographic
challenges. He is vice chair in the Senate of both the Committee on
Appropriations for Justice and Public Safety and the Judiciary I
Committee.
Clodfelter, who graduated cum laude from Davidson University and
studied at Oxford on a Rhodes Scholarship before attending Yale Law
School, says that the social climate of his student years in the
late 1960s and the 1970s spurred him to become involved in public
issues. He has been involved in North Carolina government since
1987, when he became a member of the Charlotte City Council.
Clodfelter practices law at the Charlotte office of Moore &
Van Allen PLLC and credits the firm for his ability to serve in
public office.
"Time demands of legislative service are growing, and it is
increasingly difficult for lawyers who are in mid-career to run for
and hold office if they must depend on law practice for their
livelihoods," he said. "This is one of the reasons the state's
larger law firms should step up and encourage their members to seek
public office."
Clodfelter is a strong supporter of legal services for the
poor.
"A lawyer is specially trained to speak as a voice for the
interests of someone other than himself," he explained. "I have
taken it as a necessary corollary that, because of that training, a
lawyer thereby owes a special duty to speak for the interests of
those whose voices are least likely to be heard."
Clodfelter says that while the current economic crisis will
affect lawyers' ability to take time away from work to give back to
the community, it should also stimulate their longer term desire
and willingness to serve. "Clear focus, level-headed responses, and
good analytical talents are much in demand in these times," he
said. "Lawyers are well-trained in all these skills."
Provided by the Young Lawyers Division of the North Carolina
Bar Association in conjunction with the Citizen Lawyer Task Force
in recognition of recipients of the 2009 Citizen Lawyer Awards. The
awards were presented on Friday, June 26, at the NCBA Annual
Meeting in Asheville.