Members

2011-12 Report

The Bar Leadership Institute continues to work with some of the best and brightest future leaders of our Bar.  The BLI recently graduated its tenth class, and the 2012 class is an impressive, diverse group.  Over the past six months, these rising stars have gotten to know each other, the Bar, and the community in depth with the help of our skilled course facilitators, Jayne and Vern Williams from Myndworks Learning Network, Inc., and numerous leaders in Charlotte who have volunteered their time to speak with the BLI Class during their evening sessions.

The 2012 Bar Leadership Institute officially started with the BLI Kickoff Dinner on February 2, 2012 at Byron's South End where BLI graduates, significant others and leaders in our Bar gathered to offer support and encouragement to the 2012 BLI Class.  The evening featured The Honorable Calvin Murphy, Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases, as keynote speaker.  Other speakers included Robert Dortch (MCB President), Robert Henderson (Co-Chair of MCB Centennial Service Project Task Force), Aretha Blake (Immediate Past Chair of the BLI Committee), Jack Cobb (Chair of the BLI Committee) and Danny Merlin (Vice Chair of the BLI Committee).  The next day, the 20 members of the BLI Class headed up to Hickory for a weekend-long retreat with Jayne and Vern.  They have since participated in six evening sessions covering topics including (i) how to influence inclusion and equity within the Bar and Charlotte, (ii) what it means to be a public servant, and (iii) how to access opportunities for leadership within the Bar.

The 2012 BLI Class graduated on May 9, 2012, but their work goes on.  Continuing a tradition begun last year, the 2012 class has selected a service project to benefit the community and the Bar.  The 2012 BLI Class Project will be a Chili cook-off to raise money and pro bono hours for collaborative legal services organizations, and to increase awareness and community enthusiasm for pro bono legal services.  The goal is to secure at least 2,012 donated pro bono hours.  The event will be announced later this year and when the time comes, please lend your support to this exciting event.

The 2012 Bar Leadership Institute graduates are:

•            Sarah W. Breen Charlotte School of Law
•            Diane B. Burks  Katten Muchin Rosenman
•            Cary B. Davis                Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson
•            Landon S. Eustache      Hunton & Williams
•            W. Rob Heroy               Tin Fulton Walker & Owen
•            Michael J. Hoefling        Johnston, Allison & Hord
•            Shannon E. Hoff           Poyner Spruill
•            Adam L. Horner Hamilton Stephens Steele & Martin
•            Sarah F. Hutchins          Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein
•            Ted A. Kaplan               City Attorney's Office - Airport
•            Joshua D. Lanning        Moore & Van Allen
•            Erik A. Lindahl   Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office
•            Traci L. Massey Legal Services of Southern Piedmont
•            Mica L. Nguyen Cranfill, Sumner & Hartzog
•            Fred P. Parker               James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A.
•            Janeen J. Hicks Pierre   Kuck Immigration Partners
•            Toussaint C. Romain     Mecklenburg County Public Defender's Office
•            Megan F. Sadler            Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman
•            Makila S. Scruggs         McGuireWoods
•            Amanda S. Smiley         Cranfill, Sumner & Hartzog

The BLI Committee is already planning for the 2013 BLI Class.  Special thanks to this year's Committee members Aretha Blake, Doug Jarrell, John Lassiter, Lina James, Jon Carroll, and Judge Tyyawdi Hands.  We had a successful year and look forward to continuing that success in the fall!