Trial Briefs

Members Elect New Officers, Approve Bylaws Updates At Annual Meeting

Tags: NCAJ News
June 14, 2021   |   Amber Nimocks
NCAJ’s 2021-2022 leaders President-elect Valerie Johnson, President John McCabe and Immediate Past-President David Henson with Executive Director Kim Crouch near Johnson’s law offices at Durham’s American Tobacco Campus

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 TypeOld RateNew 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 Studentfreefree

* 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.