The 20 Most Widely Read Posts on the NCBarBlog in 2020
Last year, North Carolina Bar Association members fulfilled the association’s mission of promoting the administration of justice and encouraging the highest standards of integrity, competence, civility, and the well-being of others in a very special way: through the power of their words on the NCBarBlog.
The NCBarBlog is a space for Sections, Divisions, and Committees to provide information to their members and the public. In 2020, members authored posts to let others know about court operations and case law updates, to help them navigate through various transitions, and to share virtual events, reflections, words of wisdom, and best practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a year filled with changes and challenges, members remained connected to their Sections, Divisions, and Committees through the ongoing efforts of Communications Committees, Chairs, and Co-Chairs, who edited and wrote blog posts.
The top blog posts in 2020 analyzed updates and court decisions. They also offered support, insight, affirmation, encouragement, and advice via personal stories, professional experiences and perspectives. These posts were an opportunity for members to remain connected while being physically apart, to share their experiences with others and to be reminded that they were, and are, part of a larger community.
Today, we celebrate our writers and the articles published on the blog last year. We hope you enjoy the chance to take a look back on the most widely read posts of 2020. We have also included a list of honorable mentions.
What was your favorite NCBarBlog post in 2020? We would enjoy hearing from you. Share your favorite post today and tag @NCBAorg.
The Top 20 Blog Posts
- “Notarization During the COVID-19 Crisis” by Lori Linfante and Pam Deeds Stewart, Family Law Section
- “The SECURE Act Has Passed: How Does It Affect Our Clients?” by John R. Potter, Elder & Special Needs Law Section
- “Ketan Soni Presents ‘The New Community Platform’” Ketan Soni, Family Law Section
- “NextGen CM/ECF – Citation Recognition Tips and Tricks” by Shelley Abel and Sarah Scholz, Bankruptcy Section
- “When Children Reject Contact With a Parent” by Suzanne Chester, Family Law Section
- “Chief Justice Beasley’s COVID-19 Task Force and the Practice of Family Law” by Wade Harrison, Family Law Section
- “A Geezer Lawyer’s Letter to a 3L” by Franklin Drake, Featured Posts
- “Government Stimulus for the Family Lawyer – CARES ACT – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)” by Jeremy Browner, Family Law Section
- “Ethical Considerations for North Carolina Litigators During COVID-19” by Amy Richardson and Marilyn Forbes, Litigation Section
- “Important Bar Exam Details for February and July Test Takers” by Marie Hervey, Young Lawyers Division
- “Report from Real Property Section Council Meeting” by Brian Z. Taylor, Real Property Section
- “Case Law Update: Equitable Distribution” by Rebecca K. Watts, Family Law Section
- “Read Before You File – Supreme Court of North Carolina Amends Rule 5 of the General Rules of Practice” by Alicia Mitchell-Mercer, Paralegal Division
- “New North Carolina Executive Order Addresses Nonprofit Corporation Member Meetings during the COVID-19 Crisis” by Peter Mattocks, Business Law Section
- “YLD Member Perspective: A Holistic Approach to Hiring” by Kayla Britt, Young Lawyers Division
- “A New Chief Justice Beasley Order, Session Law 2020-3, and the Court Wants Your Help!” by PJ Puryear and Kellie Myers, Litigation Section
- “When Is A Settlement Agreement A Final Settlement Agreement?” by Charles George, Litigation Section
- “Case Law Update: DVPO and Personal Jurisdiction” by Rebecca K. Watts, Family Law Section
- “Roy Cooper Proclaims October 23, 2020, North Carolina Paralegal Day” by Pamela Hollern, Paralegal Division
- “Chief Justice Cheri Beasley Extends COVID-19 Modifications to Court Operations” by Adam Banks, Litigation Section
Honorable Mention
The following Featured Posts and posts from NCBA Sections, Divisions and Committees also performed well last year on NCBarBlog, either from an overall standpoint or relative to the size of the community.
“Slowing Down” by Marc E. Gustafson, Featured Posts
“New Office! Wedding Venue! Say What?” by Bettie Kelley Sousa, Featured Posts
“Ten Tips for the Quarantined Lawyer” by John O’Neal, Featured Posts
“Recent Administrative Law Cases of Significance,” Administrative Law Section
“Recent Amendments to the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure” by Erik Zimmerman, Appellate Practice Section
“Pending Case Will Answer Questions on Key Antitrust Immunity” by Matthew W. Sawchak, Antitrust & Complex Business Disputes Law Section
“Last Chance for Constitutional Romance, Dec. 3, 2020!” by Tommy Odom, Constitutional Rights & Responsibilities Section
“OSHA Releases COVID-19 Guidance for the Construction Workforce” by Jonathan Massell, Construction Law Section
“How’s Your Relationship (with Outside Counsel)?” by Jane Paksoy, Corporate Counsel Section
“Judicial Updates on COVID-19” by Daniel Adams, Criminal Justice Section
“Mediation: Supreme Court Amendments, Mitchell Case” by Ketan Soni, Dispute Resolution Section
“What School Attorneys Need to Know about the New Senate Bill 199: An Act to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse (SL 2019-245)” by Patricia Robinson, Education Law Section
“Paycheck Protection Program – Employer’s Cheat Sheet” by Sean Sullivan, Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Section
“Legal Authority for Restrictions of Public Access and Conduct in Guilford County Facilities” by Mark Payne, Government & Public Sector Section
“COVID-19 Litigation Kicks off in North Carolina” by Susan Boyles, Insurance Law Section
“Preparing for an In-House Position? Try Brown Bagging It!” by Andre Gibbs, Intellectual Property Law Section
“How to Make It Work While Working from Home” by Samantha E. Gordon, International Practice Section
“Disproportionate Minority Contact in North Carolina” by Eric J. Zogry, Juvenile Justice & Children’s Rights Section
“Employers Cannot Require Coronavirus Antibody Testing, EEOC Says” by Sarah Beth Tyrey, Labor & Employment Law Section
“Being Thankful for the Little Things” by Trey Ellis, Law Student Division
“Wednesday Wellness Sessions: Transforming the Way Attorneys Treat Themselves, Their Clients and the Law” by Alicia Journey, for the Membership Committee
“Fight for Those Who Fought for Us” by Charlotte Stewart and “Scholarships for Children of Wartime Veterans” by Adam Banks, Military & Veterans Law Section
“2020 Legal Legends of Color Honorees Announced” by Sharita M. Whitaker, Minorities in the Profession Committee
“Why VPNs and Encryption Services Are Our Digital Masks and Gloves” by Jaren Butts and Nickeyea Wilkinson, Privacy and Data Security Section
Pro Bono Volunteer Spotlights, various authors, Pro Bono Committee
“Does Your Law Firm Disaster Plan Include a Pandemic?” by Pegeen Turner, Small Firm & Technology Section
“SEL Chair’s Comments” by Brandon Huffman, Sports & Entertainment Law Section
“Disregarded Entities and Partnerships” by John G. Hodnette, Tax Section
“IC Enforcement of a Memorandum of Settlement” by Barry Jennings, Workers’ Compensation Section
“Part I of S.L. 2019-111–Provisions to Clarify and Change the Land Use Regulatory Laws of the State” by Kevin Hornik and Garrett Davis, Zoning Planning & Land Use Section
“Five New Hall of Fame Members Honored in Virtual Induction Ceremony” by E.D. Gaskins, Senior Lawyers Division