Communications Committee
Develops the communication process among members of the Bar and is responsible for publications including the monthly newsletter, legal directory, and updates to the Mecklenburg County Bar Handbook. The committee also provides guidance for the Bar's website and electronic communications.
Chair
Tricia Morvan Derr
tderr@wcsr.com
Staff Liaisons
Valerie Munei
vmunei@meckbar.org
Stephen Belenky
sbelenky@meckbar.org
Community Outreach Committee
Seeks to improve and prioritize the Bar's volunteer outreach opportunities and to collaborate with the community on legal issues, the legal system, and school and community needs. Oversees Community Schools Project.
Co-Chairs
Jonathan Adams
jadams@lawhms.com
Anne L. Crotty
acrotty@ihclt.org
Staff Liaisons
Mary Jordan Mullinax
mjmullinax@meckbar.org
Maya Madura Engle
mengle@meckbar.org
Continuing Legal Education Committee
Develops, implements, and oversees all CLE programs for the District Bar in conformance with the rules of NCSB CLE Board. Meetings are once a month. Each member is requested to plan one CLE training in a practice area or with an ethics/professionalism theme.
Co-Chairs
John Reis
jreis@cozen.com
Heather Culp
hculp@mitchellculp.com
Staff Liaisons
Lisa Armanini
larmanini@meckbar.org
Sally Kenney
skenney@meckbar.org
Courthouse Liaison Committee
Coordinates the relationship between the Bar and the Courthouse. Subcommittees include Access Courthouse Subcommittee, which reviews the process for lawyers to have access cards to enter through the employees entrance and to obtain entrance on some of the back hallways; Court Funding Subcommittee, which discusses specific court funding needs; Courthouse Facility Subcommittee, which discusses specific courthouse facility needs.
Chair
Bob Stephens
bstephens@lawhms.com
Staff Liaison
Nancy Roberson
nroberson@meckbar.org
Diversity, Special Committee on
Coordinates the Bar's efforts to increase and retain the diversity in its membership.
Co-Chairs
Peter J. Covington
pcovington@mcguirewoods.com
Valecia M. McDowell
valeciamcdowell@mvalaw.com
Staff Liaison
Stephanie Marella
smarella@meckbar.org
Fee Dispute Resolution Committee
Mediates and arbitrates fee disputes pursuant to RPC 2.6. Panelists must have significant mediation experience or be DRC-certified mediators.
Chair
Edward S. (Ted) Shapack
tedsman@earthlink.net
Staff Liaison
Maya Madura Engle
mengle@meckbar.org
Finance and Operations Committee
Prepares and monitors the Bar's annual budget, including all program areas and income-producing services.
Chair
Maria Blue Minsker
maria.minsker@alston.com
Staff Liaisons
Sally Robinson
srobinson@meckbar.org
Nancy Roberson
nroberson@meckbar.org
Future Bar/Foundation Center Committee
Responsible for planning future location/expansion of the Bar Center in accordance with needs. Joint Mecklenburg County Bar and Mecklenburg Bar Foundation committee.
Co-Chairs
Pender McElroy
pmcelroy@jmdlaw.com
William H. McMullen Jr.
whmjr@bellsouth.net
Staff Liaison
Nancy Roberson
nroberson@meckbar.org
Grievance Committee
Receives and investigates complaints from the public on ethical matters and handles each in accordance with the NCBS Rules of Professional Conduct.
Chair
Mark A. Michael
markmichael@bellsouth.net
Staff Liaison
Maya Madura Engle
mengle@meckbar.org
Indigent Representation Committee
Works in conjunction with the Office of the Public Defender to coordinate and maintain the attorney appointment list for criminal indigent defendants in the 26th Judicial District criminal court system.
Chair
Mark P. Foster
mpfosterjr@bellsouth.net
Staff Liaison
Maya Madura Engle
mengle@meckbar.org
Judicial Nominating Committee
Coordinates the balloting process of the MCB for choosing candidates for submission to the NC governor in filling district court judge vacancies.
Chair
Richard A. Elkins
relkins@jmdlaw.com
Staff Liaisons
Maya Madura Engle
mengle@meckbar.org
Nancy Roberson
nroberson@meckbar.org
Law & Society Committee
Arranges a speaker of interest to the public and legal profession for the annual Law and Society Luncheon. This includes the presentation of the Ayscue Professionalism Award that recognizes a current or former MCB member for exemplary professionalism through outstanding service to the Bar and the community.
Co-Chairs
Pete Anderson
pa@houseofdefense.com
Luther Moore
luther_moore@Belk.com
Staff Liaison
Leah Reed
lreed@meckbar.org
Law Day Committee
Arranges for the celebration of the annual Law Day event held each year on or about May 1, and selects the Liberty Bell Award that honors a non-lawyer in the community for contributing to the promotion of freedom under the law.
Co-Chairs
Lois Colbert
LColbert@KilpatrickStockton.com
Michael Hudson
michael.hudson@cpcc.edu
Staff Liaison
Leah Reed
lreed@meckbar.org
LawyerLife Resource Committee
Provides CLE programs, newsletter articles, mentoring relationships and offers referral sources to help attorneys achieve and maintain a healthy integration of their professional and personal lives. (Formerly Lawyers' Support Committee.)
Chair
D. Christopher Osborn
cosborn@horacktalley.com
Staff Liaisons
Maya Madura Engle
mengle@meckbar.org
Nancy Roberson
nroberson@meckbar.org
Lawyer Referral Service Committee
Oversees the ABA-approved program that refers people who can afford to pay for services with an experienced MCB attorney for a reduced consultation fee. Also, refers people who cannot pay to community resources.
Co-Chairs
Connelia Z. Houston
legalc7@hotmail.com
David H. Strickland
david@dhstricklandlaw.com
Staff Liaisons
Mary Jordan Mullinax
mjmullinax@meckbar.org
Sarah Darby
sdarby@meckbar.org
Lawyers' Luncheon Series Committee
Arranges for a series of monthly Bar luncheons designed to enhance cohesiveness among Bar members.
Co-Chairs
Sara W. Higgins
sally@thehigginslawfirm.com
Douglas M. Jarrell
djarrell@rbh.com
Staff Liaison
Leah Reed
lreed@meckbar.org
Medical/Legal Committee
Encourages understanding and cooperation between the members of the Mecklenburg County Bar and the members of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society and is responsible for periodic evaluation and revisions to the Medical/Legal Guidelines.
Chair
Raymond E. Owens, Jr.
ray.owens@klgates.com
Staff Liaisons
Amy Young
ayoung@meckbar.org
Leah Reed
lreed@meckbar.org
Memorials Committee
Arranges and provides memorial services in open court when the families of deceased attorneys desire them.
Co-Chairs
Henry N. Pharr, II
hpharr2@horacktalley.com
A. Ward McKeithen
wmckeithen@rbh.com
Staff Liaison
Sally Robinson
srobinson@meckbar.org
Nominating Committee
Prepares slate of officers, members of the Board of Directors, and ABA delegate for consideration of membership.
Chair
Robert C. Stephens
bstephens@lawhms.com
Staff Liaison
Nancy Roberson
nroberson@meckbar.org
Professionalism Committee
Investigates and develops new initiatives to enhance the professionalism of Bar members and helps to integrate these initiatives into the practices within our district. Oversees the Silent Partner Subcommittee.
Co-Chairs
W. Lewis (Lew) Glenn, III
lewglenn@parkerpoe.com
Judge Selina Brooks
selina.brooks@ncmail.net
Staff Liaisons
Maya Madura Engle
mengle@meckbar.org
Nancy Roberson
nroberson@meckbar.org
Social/Sports Committee
Oversees the social and sports functions of the MCB and arranges for the execution of these annual events, which include a basketball league, softball league, and a golf tournament. The committee also plans the Bar's Holiday Party and Annual Meeting.
Co-Chairs
Matthew R. Arnold
mra@arnoldsmithlaw.com
John C. Nipp
jnipp@summalaw.com
Staff Liaison
Leah Reed
lreed@meckbar.org
Strategic Planning Committee
Oversees the strategic planning process, develops a plan for Board approval, and recommends updates as needed.
Co-Chairs
Robert C. Dortch
bdortch@sellershinshaw.com
Michael L. Wilson
mwilson@jahlaw.com
Carla N. Archie
carla.archie@wachovia.com
Staff Liaisons
Maya Madura Engle
mengle@meckbar.org
Nancy Roberson
nroberson@meckbar.org
Volunteer Lawyers Program Committee
Oversees the program that assists in providing volunteers for legal service organizations and the SelfServe Center; administers the Pro Bono for Non-Profits Program and the Wills Program.
Co-Chairs
Alton L. (Larry) Gwaltney III
larrygwaltney@mvalaw.com
Sean F. Perrin
sperrin@wcsr.com
Staff Liaisons
Mary Jordan Mullinax
mjmullinax@meckbar.org
Maya Madura Engle
mengle@meckbar.org
