Weekly Bar Briefs, 5-30-2023

Dear Bar members,

We hope you will join us for the Bar’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 7th at 12:30pm to honor the following award winners: Larry McDevitt with the Lifetime Achievement Award; James Kilbourne with the Centennial Award; Donald Gast with the Professionalism Award, and Kyle Sherard as Distinguished Young Lawyer of 2023. At this event, our last Bar luncheon of the fiscal year, we will review the Bar’s accomplishments for 2023 and the elect new members of the Executive Committee. We request an RSVP for attendees: click here to order lunch.


Recent Bar News

Buncombe Bar Annual Award Winners  

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Bar Administrator  

Congratulations to this year’s awards honorees! The Bar’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 7th will honor Larry McDevitt with the Lifetime Achievement Award; James Kilbourne as Centennial Award recipient; Donald Gast as Professionalism Award recipient, and Kyle Sherard as the Distinguished Young Lawyer of 2023. This event, our last Bar luncheon of the fiscal year, features Read more


Nominating Committee Approves Slate for 2023-2024 Officers  

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Bar Administrator  

Minutes of the April 27, 2023 Nominating Committee Meeting In attendance: Carter Webb, Chairperson, Annika Brock, Brad Stark, Susan Ramos, Doug Edwards and Lucas Moomaw (under 36). Delia Ledesma (under 36) was absent, but submitted her vote virtually. Also present was Bar Administrator Lisa-Gaye Hall. Webb outlined the committee’s responsibility to nominate candidates for President-Elect, Read more


How Trial Lawyers Can Save An Appeal--Free CLE  

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Bar Administrator  

Just like a good steak is made in the field, a good appeal is made in the trial court.  This presentation covers strategic pointers for civil trial lawyers to ensure the case they have built will stand up on appeal. From the basics of appellate preservation to the advanced tactics of seasoned appellate practitioners, it Read more



Recent Member News

Grimes Teich Anderson Attorney Tod Leaven Receives Award For Pro Bono Work  

Posted on May 26, 2023 by Grimes Teich Anderson Law Firm  

Attorney Tod Leaven has been named a 2022 Attorney For Justice by the Tennessee Supreme Court and the Access to Justice Commission for providing at least 50 hours of pro bono service in 2022. Tod is admitted to practice in North Carolina and Tennessee. As a partner at Grimes Teich Anderson LLP, Tod focuses his Read more


Upcoming CLE - Professional Courtesy: Race, Gender and Localism in Attorney Interactions  

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Sarah V. Corley  

Join The Mediation Center on Friday, June 16th, 2023 for Professional Courtesy: Race, Gender, and Localism in Attorney Interactions and earn 1 hour of  ethics CLE Credit. Based on legal and psychological research and an original survey of North Carolina attorneys and led by Dr. Todd Collins, this CLE program will explore interactions among attorneys and discuss some Read more


World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Walk  

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Bar Administrator  

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (“WEAAD”) is June 15, 2023.  WEAAD launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.  We are thrilled that after a three-year Covid hiatus, the event returns to Buncombe County this year. This multigenerational event Read more


Roberts & Stevens attorney Wyatt S. Stevens named to Business North Carolina’s ‘Power List’ for the third consecutive year  

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Roberts & Stevens  

Roberts & Stevens is thrilled to announce that attorney and firm partner Wyatt S. Stevens has been recognized by Business North Carolina’s “Power List” as one of the most influential business leaders in North Carolina. The magazine’s “Power List” identifies individuals who have made an especially noteworthy impact in North Carolina. “Power List” leaders are Read more


Attorneys Honored for Outstanding Pro Bono Service  

Posted on May 15, 2023 by Pisgah Legal Services  

Last week the Buncombe County Bar and Pisgah Legal Services honored exemplary volunteer attorneys and celebrated their generous pro bono service at the 2023 Pro Bono Celebration. Pisgah Legal Services and the Bar honored: Jenny Boyer, Younger Lawyer Pro Bono Award Bob Clifford, Exemplary Emeritus Pro Bono Attorney Award Doris Loomis, Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney Read more


Grimes Teich Anderson Attorney Brian Buchanan Admitted To Practice In Tennessee  

Posted on May 15, 2023 by Grimes Teich Anderson Law Firm  

Attorney Brian Buchanan, a partner at Grimes Teich Anderson LLP, is now also admitted to practice in Tennessee. Admitted to practice in North Carolina in 1990, Brian is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and the Academy of Truck Accident Read more


Take 5 Minutes or Less to Complete a Pro Bono Survey  

Posted on May 15, 2023 by Pisgah Legal Services  

Please help the Buncombe County Bar’s Pro Bono Committee and Pisgah Legal Services plan for the future of pro bono in our community. Please take this very quick survey TODAY: https://bit.ly/probono23. Attorneys who complete this survey by Wednesday, May 31 will be entered into a drawing for gift certificates to local restaurants. Thank you for Read more


Join Us! Will & Power of Attorney Clinics to Help Low-Income Families Preserve Homes & Wealth - June 14 & 15  

Posted on May 15, 2023 by Pisgah Legal Services  

Pisgah Legal Services is seeking volunteer attorneys and paralegals to join us in free legal clinics to draft and execute wills, durable Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Powers of Attorney for low-income homeowners in Buncombe County. We will have templates for simple wills, POA’s and HCPOA’s for attorneys to use and we will provide Read more



Recent Classifieds

Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Qualified Tax Expert (QTE) CPA, Attorney or Enrolled Agent  

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Pisgah Legal Services  

Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Qualified Tax Expert (QTE) CPA, Attorney or Enrolled Agent Hybrid remote work schedule: 3 days in office/field and 2 days remote Base office in Asheville, NC Position Status: Full-Time FLSA Status: Exempt Job Posting Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) is a community-based non-profit legal aid agency governed by a local Board of Read more


Seeking Real Estate Closer Paralegal  

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Roberts & Stevens  

An Asheville Law Firm with a thriving residential and commercial real estate practice, seeks a full-time real estate closer to join its team. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: financial record keeping, daily reconciliations of trust account, monthly reporting, communication with clients, realtors, lenders, outside attorneys and paralegals, preparation of closing documents including Read more


Seeking Litigation Legal Assistant  

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Roberts & Stevens  

We are adding to our team! Asheville Law Firm, Roberts & Stevens, has a need for a full-time, experienced litigation legal assistant. We would love a candidate with at least 10 years of experience; however, we will consider candidates with less experience. Experience with litigation is required. Candidate must also have experience in scheduling depositions Read more


Seeking Legal Assistant  

Posted on May 10, 2023 by Bar Administrator  

Asheville Law Firm, Jack Stewart at Law, has a need for a full-time experienced legal assistant to join its team. Excellent salary and benefits for someone with the ability to multi-task, provide careful attention to detail, and be a part of a great legal team of professionals. Candidate must have a minimum of two (2) Read more



Upcoming Events

Free CLE--How Trial Lawyers Can Save An Appeal  2023-06-02

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Bar Administrator  

Just like a good steak is made in the field, a good appeal is made in the trial court.  This presentation covers strategic pointers for civil trial lawyers to ensure the case they have built will stand up on appeal. From the basics of appellate preservation to the advanced tactics of seasoned appellate practitioners, it Read more


Bar Executive Committee Meeting  2023-06-05

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Bar Administrator  

The Executive Committee of the Buncombe County Bar meets monthly to conduct the business of the organization. All members are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend this virtual meeting, please email Bar Administrator Lisa-Gaye Hall at admin@BuncombeBar.com for the link to the meeting.


Bar Annual Meeting 2023  2023-06-07

Posted on January 25, 2023 by Bar Administrator  

Plan now to join us for our Annual Meeting at the Asheville Social Hall, 81 Broadway Street. At this event we will honor the following award winners: Larry McDevitt with the Lifetime Achievement Award; James Kilbourne with the Centennial Award; Donald Gast with the Professionalism Award, and Kyle Sherard as Distinguished Young Lawyer of 2023. Read more


Buncombe Bar Night at McCormick Field 2023  2023-06-22

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Bar Administrator  

Join us for the Bar’s annual baseball night at McCormick Field, set for Thursday, June 22, 2023. We’ll have box seats on the third base line,  and we’ll watch the Asheville Tourists take on the Hickory Crawdads, beginning at 6:35pm. Bar President Gill Beck will take the mound to throw out a first pitch before Read more


 

Buncombe Bar Annual Award Winners

Congratulations to this year’s awards honorees! The Bar’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, June 7th will honor Larry McDevitt with the Lifetime Achievement Award; James Kilbourne as Centennial Award recipient; Donald Gast as Professionalism Award recipient, and Kyle Sherard as the Distinguished Young Lawyer of 2023. This event, our last Bar luncheon of the fiscal year, features annual awards, a review of the accomplishments of the year, and the election of new members of the Executive Committee.  This meeting takes place at the Asheville Social Hall, 81 Broadway Street beginning at 12:45pm. We request an RSVP for attendees: click here to RSVP.

Nominating Committee Approves Slate for 2023-2024 Officers

Minutes of the April 27, 2023 Nominating Committee Meeting

In attendance: Carter Webb, Chairperson, Annika Brock, Brad Stark, Susan Ramos, Doug Edwards and Lucas Moomaw (under 36). Delia Ledesma (under 36) was absent, but submitted her vote virtually. Also present was Bar Administrator Lisa-Gaye Hall.

Webb outlined the committee’s responsibility to nominate candidates for President-Elect, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and three members of the Executive Committee for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Committee members reviewed the applicants, noting the attributes of various candidates. Brock made a motion to nominate the following slate, and Ramos seconded the motion.

President—Janet Amburgey
President-Elect— Matthew Roberson
Vice-President—Steve Sizemore
Secretary—Susan Russo-Klein
Treasurer—Clifton Williams
Immediate Past President—Gill Beck

EC at large members for 2023-2026—Jorge Redmond, Adam Vorhis, and Amy Smith (under 36), and Barrett McFatter to fill the remaining two years of Clifton Williams seat.

The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote and by virtual vote from Delia Ledesma.

The Committee discussed openings on the Bench-Bar Liaison Committee, and agreed to meet within the next month to nominate a slate for the committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:50am.

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa-Gaye Hall

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Walk

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (“WEAAD”) is June 15, 2023.  WEAAD launched on June 15, 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations.  We are thrilled that after a three-year Covid hiatus, the event returns to Buncombe County this year.

This multigenerational event is free to all and will include information about how the abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of older adults impacts our community, with information from local agencies that offer actions and supports to prevent and stop elder abuse.  The event will feature live music from the Knotty G’s, as well as food and desserts from Doc Brown’s BBQ, Howdy Homemade Ice Cream and Small Cakes, face painting for the kids and young at heart, and of course – a WALK around Carrier Park!  We hope to see you there.

Planning organizations include Buncombe County Health and Human Services, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Land of Sky Regional Council, Legal Aid of North Carolina, the Council on Aging of Buncombe County, the North Carolina State Employees’ Credit Union, and The Van Winkle Law Firm and Mountain Care.

Register to Attend:

The first 200 Registrants will receive a Free T-shirt at the event.  Sign up today, and join us to stop Elder Abuse in Buncombe County.

https://www.buncombecounty.org/countycenter/news-detail.aspx?id=20628

How Trial Lawyers Can Save An Appeal–Free CLE

Just like a good steak is made in the field, a good appeal is made in the trial court.  This presentation covers strategic pointers for civil trial lawyers to ensure the case they have built will stand up on appeal. From the basics of appellate preservation to the advanced tactics of seasoned appellate practitioners, it will help lawyers focus on winning in trial court while having the confidence that their cases will withstand procedural challenges at the next level.  Learn about issue preservation, various deadlines, and interlocutory appeals among other issues.

Presenter Jonathan Dunlap is a Principal at the Van Winkle Law Firm in Asheville, North Carolina.  He is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Appellate Rules Committee and the North Carolina Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section.  He has handled appeals before the North Carolina Court of Appeals, North Carolina Supreme Court, South Carolina Court of Appeals, the Fourth Circuit, and has consulted on cases before the Supreme Court of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.  He has trial experience in state, federal, and administrative venues. He handles complex litigation matters in a variety of areas including healthcare, medical malpractice, personal injury, land use, eminent domain, employment law, and tribal law.

Jonathan received his B.A. with Honors from Kenyon College where he doubled majored in Modern Foreign Languages and Philosophy.  He received his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he was the Chief Justice of the Moot Court and the recipient of the Robert T. Bockman Award, the school’s appellate advocacy award.  He is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts of North and South Carolina, the Fourth Circuit, and the courts of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Sign up for this free one-hour CLE here by clicking on either a virtual or an in-person ticket. The CLE takes place on June 2nd, from noon to 1pm. For those attending in person, the location is the Starnes Conference Room at Van Winkle Law Firm, and lunch will be provided.