The Queen City’s so nice,
we’re going twice!
Meet us in Charlotte again this year as we hear from some of the sharpest legal minds in the profession, share our stories and build camaraderie.
Register now at the early bird rate and you’ll:
- Receive a minimum of 5.5 hours of CLE credit
- Learn new strategies for trial from The Attorney Whisperer Sari de la Motte
- Enjoy the company of colleagues at Charlotte hotspots The Mint Museum and Queen Park Social and get your groove on at a Saturday Soiree at the Omni Charlotte Hotel
Stay tuned here for more updates and additions to the below agenda — coming each week!
Convention 2023 Agenda
Noon – 2 p.m.
Exhibitor Set-Up
11:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Past Presidents Lunch
2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Registration Desk & Exhibit Hall Open
2 p.m – 3 p.m.
Criminal Defense Section Meeting
Business meeting of the Criminal Defense section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Dionne Gonder-Stanley, presiding.
Products Liability, Class Actions & Mass Torts Section Meeting
Business meeting of the Products Liability, Class Actions & Mass Torts section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Audrey Snyder, presiding.
Professional Negligence Section Meeting
Business meeting of the Professional Negligence section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Kristen Beightol, presiding.
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Auto Torts and Premises Liability Section Meeting
Business meeting of the Auto Torts and Premises Liability section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Gabe Zeller, presiding.
Eminent Domain Section Meeting
Business meeting of the Eminent Domain section. All section members are welcome. Acting Chair, Shiloh Daum, presiding.
Workers’ Compensation Section Meeting
Business meeting of the Workers’ Compensation section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Martha Ramsay, presiding.
Please note that this meeting will go until 5 p.m.
4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Employment Law Section Meeting
Business meeting of the Employment Law section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Holly Stiles, presiding.
New Lawyers Division Meeting
Business meeting of the New Lawyers division. All lawyers licensed fewer than 10 years are welcome. Division chair, Pat Wallace, presiding.
Women’s Caucus Meeting
Business meeting of the Women’s Caucus. All female attorneys are welcome. Caucus chair, Paige Pahlke, presiding.
5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
PAC Reception | By Invitation Only
Join us for our annual recognition event for NCAJ Political Action Committee donors and leaders.
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Merriment at the Mint | Welcome Reception
Let’s kick off the weekend artfully! Join us at Charlotte landmark The Mint Museum for cocktails and heavy hors d’oeurves with a view. The galleries will be open and docents will be on hand to provide insights, tidbits and guidance on one of the most spectacular collections of art in our state.
7 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Workers’ Comp Discussions @ Dawn
Join Vernon Sumwalt and other die-hard Workers’ Comp practitioners for an early morning conversation about cases, recent decisions, best practices.
7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Registration Desk/Exhibit Hall Open
Visit exhibitors or stop by and pick up your Convention registration packet!
8 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Bloody Mary and Mimosa Bar
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Summer Conference for Paralegals
9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Civil Law Update
With speakers Sam McGee & Jon Moore.
Workers’ Comp Practice Tips
With speaker Michael Bertics.
Criminal Law Update
With speaker Tucker Charns.
Eminent Domain Update
With speaker Tommy Odom.
10 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Duct Tape for Humpty Dumpty: Dealing with Motions Under Rules 59 and 60
With speaker Jon Ward.
Employment Law Update
Products Liability Update
With speaker Michael Patrick.
11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Auto Torts Update
With speakers Claudia Barcelo and Isaac Thorp.
Worker’s Compensation Update
With speaker Jay Gervasi.
DWI Update
With speaker Jake Minick.
12 p.m.
Keynote Presentation by Sari de la Motte
We’re thrilled to finally welcome The Attorney Whisperer Sari de la Motte to Convention 2023! You will not want to miss this innovative session from one of the nation’s most sought-after consultants on authentic communication in the courtroom.
2 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Insurance Law Update
With speaker Doug Maynard.
3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Medicare: Staying on Track When Medicare is Involved
With speaker Julie Bell.
Immigration Law Update
4 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Professional Negligence Immunity
With speaker Elizabeth Todd.
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Motion to (Bowl a) Strike Mixer
Get ready to be bowled over at our Friday night event at Queen Park Social! We’ll gather at this local hotspot — a vintage bowling alley and arcade — for amusements and competition among friends. Food and drink and fun are all on the agenda!
7 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
5K Fun Run/Walk
The annual favorite returns! Join us bright and early for an organized 5K Fun Run/Walk on a nearby greenway. This event is free to all.
7 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Workers’ Comp Discussions @ Dawn
Join Vernon Sumwalt and other die-hard Workers’ Comp practitioners for an early morning conversation about cases, recent decisions, best practices.
8 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
NCAJ Annual Meeting
Our annual “business” meeting, the NCAJ Annual Meeting offers an opportunity to recognize the hard work and many successes of our members throughout the past year. Join us as we celebrate the second cohort of NCAJ NEXT, honor our annual award winners, formally elect our new leaders and officially pass the gavel from President Valerie Johnson to President-elect Andy Banzhoff.
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch Plenary Session | Speaker TD
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday Soiree
The pinnacle event! We’ll toast another fabulous year for NCAJ and celebrate Andy Banzhoff’s installation as President with a live band party featuring heavy hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails and more. Come ready to dance the night away in celebration of NCAJ’s past, present and future.
Convention 2023 Sponsors
Thank you to the following NCAJ Preferred Partners for their continued support of NCAJ’s mission.
Convention 2023 Exhibitors
We look forward to welcoming the following exhibitors to Convention 2023.
Interested in Convention Sponsorship Opportunities?
Learn MoreConvention FAQs
Where is Convention 2023 being held? –
The North Carolina Advocates for Justice 2023 Convention will be held at the Omni Charlotte Hotel located at 132 E. Trade Street, Charlotte, North Carolina.
NCAJ has set aside a block of rooms for members who will attend NCAJ Convention 2023 at the Omni Charlotte Hotel June 15-17. The room rate is $219 per night. The room block cut-off is May 19, 2023. Room availability and rates cannot be guaranteed after this date or if the room block sells out prior to this date.
To make reservations online, go to the Omni’s NCAJ Convention page.
To make reservations by phone:
- Call Omni Reservations line at (800) 873-6664 – available 24/7
- Specify the North Carolina Advocates for Justice Annual Convention
- Provide your arrival date and number of nights
- Have a credit card available to hold the room
How can I get more information on sponsoring or exhibiting at Convention 2023? –
Please visit our Partner with Us page for more details about NCAJ’s Preferred Partner Program. You can also directly contact Hallie Kennedy.
Is there a virtual option for Convention 2023? –
There are no virtual or streaming options available for any of the Convention 2023 events.
Please plan to join us in person — you won’t want to miss it!
When will the app for Convention 2023 be available? –
We are thrilled to once again be partnering with Whova to provide an event app to all Convention 2023 attendees.
Stay tuned for information on the official event app’s release — projected for early May 2023.
What is the last day to register for Convention 2023? –
The official early bird rate will end on May 19, 2023 and rates will increase at that time. Online registration will officially close on June 7, 2023.
You will be able to register at the increased onsite rate at the Omni Charlotte Hotel beginning June 15, 2023.
I am no longer able to attend Convention 2023. How do I cancel my registration? –
Cancellation requests received by May 30, 2023 will be refunded less a $75 service fee.
No refunds will be honored after May 30, 2023.
I am no longer able to attend Convention 2023. Can I send another member of my firm in my place? –
Substitutions are welcome and may be made until the date of the seminar.
We are not able to offer registration transfers for credit to another NCAJ CLE program.
I cancelled my Convention registration. Will NCAJ cancel my hotel reservation? –
NCAJ will not cancel your hotel reservation. Please reach out to the Omni Charlotte Hotel directly to cancel your reservation.
Is childcare being provided? –
No childcare services will be provided for Convention 2023.
Should you require assistance with childcare, please reach out to the concierge at the Omni Charlotte Hotel.
Will there be wifi at Convention? –
Yes, there will be wifi at Convention 2023. The information will be provided onsite upon check-in.
Many thanks to our wifi sponsor Byrd Settlements for their continued commitment to connecting NCAJ.
What are the health and safety guidelines? –
NCAJ Leadership will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and will set new guidelines if the situation demands.
Attendance at this event is voluntary. By registering for the event, you acknowledge that you are not required to attend this event and that, if you choose to do so, you are attending such event voluntarily. You further acknowledge the following:
- There is a risk that you may be exposed or infected with COVID-19 by attending such event
- Such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death; and
- The risk of such exposure or infection by attending such event may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of yourself and others, including, but not limited to other attendees.
What are the parking details at the Omni Charlotte Hotel? –
The Omni Charlotte Hotel offers valet parking only.
Valet parking prices:
- $40.00 for overnight parking (inclusive of tax) with unlimited in and out privileges
- $25.00 for 0 – 4 hours (inclusive of tax); no in-and-out privileges
- $30.00 for 4 – 8 hours (inclusive of tax); no in-and-out privileges
- Prices are subject to change
Valet parking details:
- More than 8 hours will be charged overnight rate of $40.00
- Full size vehicles (trucks, SUVs, vans, etc.) is available for $45.00
- Valet parking for 1 vehicle per guest room
- Self parking is available at city-owned garages in the surrounding area.