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Weekly Bar Briefs - July 7, 2026
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Dear Buncombe Bar Members,
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I am looking forward to serving you all in the coming year as the President of the Buncombe County Bar. One of the many things I learned from our Past President, Susan Russo Klein, is that the strength of this Bar is in the connections it creates. And I want to build on that idea in the coming year. So let’s start with a story.
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In 1973, a sociologist named Mark Granovetter asked a simple question. How do people actually find jobs? He surveyed a few hundred people who had recently been hired. He expected the answer to be obvious. Your closest friends. Your family. The people who know you best. He was wrong. Most people did not get their job through a close friend. They got it through someone they barely knew. An old colleague. A friend of a friend. Someone they ran into twice a year. Granovetter called this the strength of weak ties. This was a small study.
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But fast forward about 50 years, and enter the LinkedIn database. In 2022, researchers tested the same idea on more than twenty million people over a span of five years. They asked the same question Granovetter did, and they got the same answer. The people who open doors for us professionally are our loose acquaintances, the people on the edges of our network. It is the strength of weak ties.
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Here is why it works. Your closest contacts know what you know. They run in your circle. They have heard the same things you have. But your loose acquaintances live in different worlds. They carry information you would never find on your own. The opportunity that changes your career usually arrives across one of those bridges. The quality of your relationships matters when it comes to support. But the quantity matters when it comes to opportunity. The referral you get next year. The casual acquaintance who gives you insight into your impossible case. The attorney you hire that allows you to scale out your business. Odds are, you will meet them here. That is not a small thing. That is the whole thing.
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So my theme for this year is simple. Member engagement. For the members, I challenge you to attend more events. Talk to people you don't know. Tell other lawyers about the strength of weak ties and encourage them to show up. My challenge to the executive committee and to myself will be this: let's keep making it hard for attorneys to pass on our events. But let’s also find new ways to engage more people. Let's ensure people know that member engagement is an opportunity and not an obligation. Thank you and I look forward to seeing more of all of you next year.
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-Jonathan Dunlap, 2026-2027 Bar President
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Multidistrict Litigation Hearing Session in Asheville
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For those interested in observing, please note that the MDL panel will be in Asheville and holding oral arguments beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 30th. The hearings are expected to last 1-1 ½ hours and are open to the public. Location is United States Courthouse at 100 Otis Street, Courtroom 1, Third Floor Asheville, NC 28801
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Third Thursdays with YLD at Highland Brewing
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The Buncombe County Young Lawyers Division is launching “Third Thursdays” at Highland Brewing. This recurring monthly social event is focused on building connection, camaraderie, and community among young lawyers in Buncombe County. Join us every third Thursday from 6–8 PM beginning June 18. No RSVP required.
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Buncombe Bar Members Receive Prestigious Awards
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North Carolina Advocates for Justice presented awards to ten leaders who further the cause of justice across the state during Convention 2026 in Wilmington.
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Two of those honored include Buncombe Bar Members. Judge Alan Thornburg received the Outstanding Trial Judge Award, and Andy Banzhoff received the Thurgood Marshall Award. Click here to read more about the recipients and their awards.
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Jake H. Blum joins Allen Stahl + Kilbourne
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Allen Stahl + Kilbourne is thrilled to welcome Jake Blum to the team!
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Jake is a litigation attorney at ASK, where he represents individuals and businesses in a broad range of civil litigation matters. Jake is passionate about building lasting client relationships and delivering strategic, practical solutions tailored to each client's goals.
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Attorney Sam Scheipers Joins Blue Ridge Family Law
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Blue Ridge Family Law Group is excited to announce the addition of attorney Sam Scheipers to the Blue Ridge Family Law Group team. Sam assists family law clients on all family law issues, including child custody, child support, equitable distribution, alimony, post separation support and other related issues, with a primary focus on family law appeals. Through his appellate practice, …
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Commercial Real Estate Attorney
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Commercial Real Estate Attorney (3-5+ Years Experience)
Our established and growing commercial real estate law firm is seeking an experienced attorney to join our team. We represent developers, lenders, investors, conservancies, business owners, and commercial clients in sophisticated real estate transactions throughout North Carolina.
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This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who enjoys handling complex commercial transactions in a collaborative, team-oriented environment with significant client contact and opportunities for professional growth. Full and part-time positions available.
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Estate Planning Paralegal
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Our boutique estate planning and elder law firm is expanding to support our two attorneys, and we’re seeking an experienced estate planning paralegal to assist with the preparation of estate planning documents, trust funding, and trust administration, and to help keep a busy practice running smoothly. Full-time, on-site, four-day workweek (Mon–Thu), generous paid time off, competitive salary. Warmth with older clients essential; real room to grow into a client-facing role. Email your resume to hiring@wncelderlaw.com.
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Seeking Senior Attorney at Capua Law
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Capua Law is seeking an experienced partnership-track senior attorney with 10+ years of experience who wants sophisticated legal work, meaningful client relationships, and a high-quality professional life in one of the most desirable regions. Capua Law a highly regarded firm in a smaller market with contemporary work spaces and an innovative culture, offering the opportunity to handle complex litigation and transactional work in construction, business, and corporate law.
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Hiring Associate Attorney
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Company Description - Van Marter Law handles a wide range of work, from curing complex title issues to straightforward residential real estate transactions. Clients benefit from a calm, organized process and clear communication at every stage of representation. Van Marter Law emphasizes extended personal engagement, ensuring that each client receives attentive, detail-oriented service. The firm values professionalism, integrity, and practical solutions …
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Family Financial Mediation Services Available
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Janet Amburgey offers Family Financial Mediation services to Western North Carolina Family Law attorneys and their clients.
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Monthly Luncheons will Resume on September 16
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July 16 - YLD Third Thursday at Highland Brewery 6:00 - 8:00 (no registration needed)
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August 18 - Buncombe Bar Executive Committee Annual Retreat
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September 18 - Joint Swearing-In Ceremony (State & Federal) in 5th Floor Courtroom
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October 1 - YLD Social at the Governor's Western Residence
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