Trial Briefs
Members Elect New Officers, Approve Bylaws Updates At Annual Meeting
NCAJ held its 2021 Annual Meeting via Zoom on Friday, June 11. Membership in attendance voted to approve a new slate of officers and executive committee members for the 2021-2022 year. Their terms will begin July 1.
Officers & Executive Committee
John McCabe, Cary – President
Valerie Johnson, Durham – President-Elect/Treasurer
David Henson, Raleigh – Immediate Past President/Secretary
Anna Pishko Kalarites, Raleigh – Diversity & Inclusion Vice President
Kimberly Wilson White, Raleigh – Education Vice President
Jon Moore, Charlotte – Legal Affairs Vice President
Ann Ochsner, Raleigh – Legislative Vice President
Andy Banzhoff, Asheville – Membership Vice President
Mark Sumwalt, Charlotte – Past President Appointed by the President
Kevin Bunn, Cary – PAC Chair
Kristen Dewar, Concord – At-Large Executive Committee
Stewart Poisson – filling unexpired term on Board of Governors
Scott Harris – filling unexpired term on Board of Governors
Before the meeting, members heard remarks from American Association for Justice President Tobi Millrood and NCAJ Executive Director Kim Crouch’s annual State of the Association address. The meeting concluded with remarks from President-elect John McCabe.
NCAJ presented 17 awards, including seven Ebbie Awards. See here and here to find the lists of 2021 awardees. Before presenting awards, members watched a memorial video created in honor of NCAJ President Emeritus Charlie Blanchard, who died in March.
Other Business
Members in attendance at the Annual Meeting approved updated bylaws that incorporate 2021 best practices, changes to the composition of the Board of Governors and a new membership structure. The membership had approved the changes to the Board of Governors, which take effect this year. The new dues structure will become effective in the 2022-2023 renewal year. The new membership dues levels will include one Section with each membership.
| Member Type | Old Rate | New Rate |
|---|---|---|
| President’s Club | $3,500 | $4,000 |
| Benefactor | $1,900 | $2,000 |
| Patron | $950 | $1,250 |
| Attorney (11+ years) | $475 | $600 |
| Attorney (6-10 years) | $350 | $400 |
| Attorney (0-5 years) | $250 | $200 |
| Public Service* | $90 | $150 |
| Affiliate (Faculty, Retired, Non-Attorney) | $175 | $200 |
| Legal Assistants | $175 | $175 |
| Law School Student | free | free |
* Public Service is defined by employment with membership organizations of the NC Justice Alliance, including Disability Rights North Carolina, Legal Aid of North Carolina, NC Justice Center, etc. and the Indigent Defense Services.
After Annual Meeting, members registered for 2021 Virtual Convention participated in a CLE on resilience led by attorney and wellness expert Laura Mahr of Asheville, followed by a legislative panel and a judicial panel.
In attendance at the legislative panel were NCAJ members Sen. Danny Earl Britt Jr., Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, Sen. Wiley Nickel and Rep. Billy Richardson.
In attendance at the judicial panel, which focused on settlements, were Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Allen Baddour, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Marvin K. Blount III and Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Wayland J. Sermons Jr.
