Catherine “Katie” Elbakidze, NCAJ NEXT Leadership Program

Catherine “Katie” Elbakidze is one of the 11 members of the NCAJ NEXT Leadership Program class of 2025. The program identifies the state’s emerging trial lawyer leaders. 

Lives in: Greensboro

Law degree from: Elon Law School

Works as: Associate attorney at The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin

Why do you want to participate in the NCAJ NEXT Program? Community service has always been a huge part of my life, shaping my commitment to helping others and influencing my decision to attend law school in the first place. My journey as a plaintiffs’ attorney is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves access to justice. I am passionate about advocating for those who often feel powerless, and my work allows me to make a meaningful impact in their lives.

Joining the NCAJ Leadership Program aligns perfectly with my dedication to both service and advocacy. I see this as the perfect opportunity to deepen my understanding of legal challenges while connecting with a diverse group of like-minded individuals who share my commitment to justice. I believe that this program will not only enhance my leadership but enable me to better serve my community. I am eager to learn, collaborate and contribute to initiatives and conversations that reflect the values and goals of the NCAJ.

In what ways are you involved or other legal organizations? I am a member of the North Carolina State Bar, the Greensboro Bar Association, the North Carolina State Bar Young Lawyers Division and of course NCAJ. I actively engage with the legal community and stay informed about the latest developments in our field. Being a member of those organizations gives me the ability to know what is going on in the upper levels while engaging and having my ear to the ground in my local community. I appreciate the support and resources those groups provide me which help me grow as a lawyer and enhance my ability to serve the needs of my clients. I am a very active participant and focus on gleaning as much information as I can and connecting with other attorneys who I otherwise would not have the opportunity to meet.

How and why is the idea of civil or criminal justice important to you?             

The idea of both civil and criminal justice is profoundly important to me, representing fairness, equity, and the protection of individual rights inherent to being human. Justice matters so much to me that during my senior year of college, I switched from a pre-med path to pre-law after witnessing the hardships individuals faced within the criminal justice system while interning at the Public Defender’s Office in Forsyth County. This experience ignited my passion for representing the “underdog.”

Motivated to make a difference, I applied for a bipartisan internship in Congress to gain insights into legislative processes and contribute to meaningful reforms. I secured funding from a highly competitive non-profit that selected only eight students from 5,000 applicants. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, I couldn’t attend. However, this experience accelerated my path to law school, and I enrolled just three months later and my commitment to justice has only intensified motivating me to become a plaintiffs’ attorney and hopefully one day returning to my initial goal of legislative lobbying.

In your opinion, where do you see NCAJ as an organization in five to 10 years?

I see the NCAJ becoming a more involved and influential organization in North Carolina, continuing to advocate for individual rights and making significant strides, much like their recent success in raising insurance limits. I believe the NCAJ will expand its resources and outreach to support attorneys in underserved communities across the state, setting an example for other states to follow.

The organization will play a crucial role in growing, training, and supporting a new generation of advocates dedicated to fiercely protecting civil rights. Additionally, I see ample opportunities for collaboration with other organizations to drive meaningful change and address systemic issues within our justice system. Since its inception in 1962, the NCAJ has demonstrated openness to change and a commitment to supporting attorneys who strive to do good, and I believe this spirit will continue to strengthen its impact in the years to come.

Through my participation in NCAJ’s NEXT Leadership Program, I hope to… deepen my understanding of the current needs of our community and enhance my advocacy skills. I am excited and ready to connect with fellow peers who share my passion for serving others. I hope to learn from those around me and hear new points of view that I have not had the opportunity to hear before. I hope to gain insight into effective strategies for addressing system issues that plague our legal system and to explore new approaches for advocacy and telling our clients stories. I hope to leverage the new connections, ideas, perspectives, and resources from this program to better serve my home city of Greensboro and be the best leader I can be to inspire others to rise to the occasion.

Outside of work … I am often found volunteering at soup kitchens and my church, where I find immense fulfillment in giving back to the community. As the chair of Kids in the Kitchen, I’m passionate about teaching children the importance of nutrition and cooking, empowering them to make healthy choices.

I also cherish spending quality time with my husband, whether we’re exploring local parks, enjoying a movie night, or simply sharing a meal together. Cooking is a particular joy of mine; I love trying out new recipes and often share my culinary creations with friends and family, fostering connections through food.

These activities not only enrich my life but also reinforce my commitment to community service.