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.
Bar News
Bar News is official news from the Buncombe County Bar. These posts along with Member News and Classifieds will appear in the Weekly Bar Briefs Newsletter.
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
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.
In Memoriam: Judge Samuel Cathey Services
The Honorable Samuel Allen Cathey, 78, of Alexander, North Carolina, passed away at his home, Saturday, May 13, 2023. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023, from 5pm – 7pm at Troutman Funeral Home. A burial service with full military honors will be conducted at 1pm, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville. Longtime friend Frank Goldsmith will play taps. The funeral service celebrating the life of Judge Cathey will follow the burial at 2pm, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church of Statesville, the Reverend Stephen Scott will officiate. Click here for a more information.
Spring Picnic 2023 Photos
It was a beautiful spring night at the Smoky Park Supper Club, and the food and company were amazing!
