Rosa Antunez Boatwright, NCAJ NEXT Leadership Program class of 2024  

Rosa Antunez Boatwright is one of the 13 members of the NCAJ NEXT Leadership Program class of 2024. The program identifies the state’s emerging trial lawyer leaders.

Lives in: Durham  

Law degree from: North Carolina Central University School of Law  

Works as: LItigation Attorney at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin 

Legal Association Involvement: I was the N.C. Association of Women Attorney Community’s Outreach Chair in 2021 and 2022, where I orchestrated our volunteer and charity events, including a statewide food drive; board member for the Durham County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division in 2019-2020, where I helped plan the annual Raising the Bar 5k; Diversity Committee Co-Chair of NCAJ YLD in 2020 and 2021, and in conjunction, a member of the Communications Committee of NCAJ. I also was a Trial Briefs Coordinating Editor for the fall 2020 edition, and a co-author in the winter 2020 edition.  

Why is the idea of civil justice important to you?

Most of the cases I get have already been either denied by an insurance company or have a low offer that is not reflective of what my clients have been through. The idea that my client may not get the justice they deserve because a heartless insurance carrier irrationally decides that they won’t is what drives me. My role is painting a full picture of my client’s story to the defense and the jury, in essence, bringing their pain and suffering to life, is a privilege that I do not take lightly. There is no better feeling than seeing your client approve of the way you tell their story at mediation or trial, like someone heard and understood them after everyone else tried to diminish their experience. When you can do this, you know you’ve made a difference, no matter what the outcome is. 

What’s your vision for the future of NCAJ?

NCAJ is known for evolving as necessary to adapt to the ever-changing times and the legal landscape, and I see the organization as continuing to be a leader in that area. I also see NCAJ as continuing to be a place of open communication and inclusion of varying political and social opinions, with the focus being the advancement of the plaintiff’s case. I would like to see an expanded membership of other plaintiff-friendly legal fields. The inclusion of a network of legal professionals from more diverse practices will benefit us all. 

Away from work …

I have an 8-year-old daughter and three older stepchildren. My twin boys just began college on opposite sides of the state (UNC-Wilmington and Western Carolina University), and my oldest daughter is a high school senior in the marching band and has her own band and plays the guitar. My youngest plays softball, does gymnastics and takes horseback riding lessons. As an immigrant, I have parents who speak little English, so I help them with their affairs and support them increasingly more as they get older. I’m also an active participant on the board of a nonprofit organization, Diamante Arts and Cultural Center, which promotes Hispanic art and culture in the Triangle. I am also a member of the Latino Outreach Committee at my firm, through which I organize our participation at multiple community events throughout the year. My personal interests are reading and travel, and I do SPENGA for workouts.