In addition to the great CLEs and speaker sessions, this year’s schedule offers more time to socialize and connect. Plan your downtime with this extensive guide to Wilmington and the surrounding area, created by our friends at Horton & Mendez, Circle of Leadership Partners and Port City locals.
Peruse the Guide to Wilmington
Stop by the registration desk to check in, pick up your badge and get everything you need for Convention. Our team will be available to answer questions and help you get oriented.
Welcome to Wilmington! Celebrate the start of Convention with hors d’oeuvres, drinks and great company. It’s the perfect way to get oriented, reconnect and explore what our sponsors and exhibitors have to offer.
Join Vernon Sumwalt and other die-hard Workers’ Comp practitioners for an early morning conversation about cases, recent decisions and best practices.
Stop by the registration desk to check in, pick up your badge and get everything you need for Convention. Our team will be available to answer questions and help you get oriented. Don’t miss the Exhibit Hall – an opportunity to connect with exhibitors, discover new offering and engage with our valued partners.
Start your day with a light breakfast featuring a selection of pastries, fresh fruit, coffee and juice. A perfect way to fuel up before Convention sessions begin.
Back by popular demand, this full-day program provides North Carolina trial lawyers with practical, courtroom-ready tools they can use immediately. From District and Superior Court “lifelines” to key insights on criminal defense practice, immigration consequences, and preserving issues for appeal, sessions focus on real-world application. Designed for immediate, real-world application, this program equips trial lawyers with valuable strategies, checklists, and insights needed to strengthen their advocacy at every stage.
The program also features a lunch plenary with The Wall Street Journal reporter and author Valerie Bauerlein, who will discuss her book The Devil at His Elbow and the implications of the Alex Murdaugh case.
If you are a Criminal Defense Attorney and you want to attend Criminal Masters at Convention, click the Criminal Masters Registration Link above the description. During the registration process you will have the option to add the full Convention, from Wednesday evening’s Kick-off Reception to Saturday morning’s Rise and Shine with NCAJ event.
1.0 ethics hour if attended. Sign-in required.
1.0 technology hour if attended. Sign-in required.
Valerie Bauerlein, Wall Street Journal reporter and author of “The Devil at His Elbow,” the definitive account of the Murdaugh murders, will discuss her book and the implications of the Alex Murdaugh case. CLE credit: 1.0 hour
Business meeting of the Auto Torts & Premises Liability section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Lauren Newton, presiding.
Business meeting of the Eminent Domain section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Brad Stark, presiding.
Business meeting of the Workers’ Compensation section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Casey Spence, presiding.
Business meeting of the Civil Rights section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Paul Smith, presiding.
Business meeting of the Disability Advocacy section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Christine Latona, presiding.
Business meeting of the Professional Negligence section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Will Elam, presiding.
Business meeting of the New Lawyers division. All division members are welcome. Division chair, Amanda Memmler, presiding.
Business meeting of the Products Liability section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Adam Langino, presiding.
Business meeting of the Criminal Defense section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Chris Heaney, presiding.
Join us for NCAJ’s PAC Reception, an invitation-only event honoring the members whose support is vital to our advocacy efforts. This exclusive reception will be held just before the Happy Hour by the River.
After a full day of CLE programs and meetings, join us for a relaxed happy hour on the Event Lawn along the Cape Fear River. Savor tasty bites, sip on refreshing drinks and enjoy some casual tunes by Phoenix Mendoza while connecting with colleagues – then set out to explore Wilmington’s vibrant dining scene and make the evening your own!
Keep the energy going! Mix, mingle and network with fellow new lawyers and NEXT Fellows in a fun, informal setting. Drinks, conversation and connections await!
Join Vernon Sumwalt and other die-hard Workers’ Comp practitioners for an early morning conversation about cases, recent decisions and best practices.
Stop by the registration desk to check in, pick up your badge and get everything you need for Convention. Our team will be available to answer questions and help you get oriented. Don’t miss the Exhibit Hall – an opportunity to connect with exhibitors, discover new offering and engage with our valued partners.
Start your day with a light breakfast featuring a selection of pastries, fresh fruit, coffee and juice. A perfect way to fuel up before Convention sessions begin.
Summer Conference for Paralegals at Convention will offer a full day of practical education designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of paralegals working across multiple practice areas. This program will deliver valuable insights to help you navigate complex legal processes, manage workloads efficiently, and stay current on evolving laws and professional responsibilities.
If you are a Paralegal and you want to attend Summer Conference at Convention, click the Summer Conference Registration Link above the description. During the registration process you will have the option to add the full Convention, from Wednesday evening’s Kick-off Reception to Saturday morning’s Rise and Shine with NCAJ event.
Business meeting of the Hispanic/Latino Legal Issues division. All division members are welcome. Division chair, Rosa Boatwright, presiding.
Business meeting of the Employment Law section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Ben Winikoff, presiding.
Business meeting of the Nursing Home Litigation section. All section members are welcome. Section chair, Lauren McAndrew, presiding.
Business meeting of the Women’s Caucus. All female attorneys are welcome. Caucus chair, Courtney Mann, presiding.
Join us for a special luncheon as we conduct the NCAJ Annual Meeting, celebrate our leaders with the passing of the gavel from Carma Henson to Jason Orndoff and honor outstanding members with annual awards. This gathering is a highlight of Convention – an opportunity to reflect on the year, recognize achievements and celebrate the future of our organization.
1.0 technology hour if attended. Sign-in required.
Business meeting of the Paralegal division. All division members are welcome. Division chair, Megan Young, presiding.
Celebrate with colleagues at our signature Friday night event on the Event Lawn along the Cape Fear River! Enjoy great food, drinks and a performance by The Extraordinaires as we honor Convention award recipients, welcome NCAJ’s new president and toast to the achievements and spirit of our community – all while taking in a stunning Cape Fear sunset.
Get moving and start your day on the right foot! Join fellow attendees for a casual run or walk along a scenic route, open to all fitness levels. A fun way to energize, network and enjoy the Wilmington scenery.
An invigorating way to start your day. Join fellow attendees for an easy Vinyasa flow to relax body and mind before the day begins. All experience levels welcome. Please bring your own mat.
Kick off your Saturday morning at Rise & Shine with NCAJ! Stretch with yoga, get moving with the Fun Run/Walk, enjoy breakfast bites and toast the weekend with a bloody mary or mimosa. A casual, fun way to celebrate the weekend and say goodbye to friends before heading home.
All NCAJ room blocks at Aloft, Embassy Suites, and the Hampton Inn are SOLD OUT. Rooms may still be available at these hotels outside of the NCAJ room block. Please contact the hotels directly or use a third-party booking site to check availability.
Additional Nearby Hotels
Best Western Plus Coastline Inn
Hotel Ballast, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Photos are by Andy and Gina with Indigo Photography in Charlotte. Use NCAJ 2025 to access the gallery.
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