MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
2 From the MBA President
3 From the YLD Chair
3 Upcoming Events
3 Mandatory Dues Notification
4 Diane’s Deli: MeckDec Primer
5 2026 Annual Meeting Recap
6 MBA Board of Directors
7 26th JD Bar Executive Board
8 MBF Board of Directors
9 Lunch with a Lawyer Celebrates
20 Years
9 CLE Fall Sneak Peek
10 MBA Basketball Champions
10 Chambers Award Call for
Nominations
11 Thank you CLE Presenters
14 LRS Pricing Update
15 Agency Spotlight: International
House
16 Spring Swearing-In Ceremonies
17 2025-26 Sections Year in Review
17 Legal Eagle Charity Golf
Tournament
A publication of the Mecklenburg Bar Association / 26th Judicial District Bar Vol. 54 No. 1 ©2026
Mecklenburg Bar News
This column is adapted from Graham Billings’s speech delivered at the May 20, 2026, 26th Judicial
District Bar Annual Meeting.
I am honored to stand before the 26th Judicial District Bar as its incoming president. I am
proud of the work the 26th Judicial District Bar has undertaken and am grateful for the
confidence this membership has placed in me to continue those efforts.
At this meeting two years ago, the 26th Judicial District Bar was bifurcated into a new
institution with a clear mandate. Since that day, this membership has built something worth
being proud of: a bar that has carried out its regulatory functions efficiently and effectively,
sharpened its focus on the services it provides to its members and the public, and laid
a foundation for the work ahead. That progress was driven by the leadership of Thomas
Powers and Lee Robertson, and I want to thank them for their service to this organization.
I also want to thank Executive Director Leah Campbell and the entire Bar staff, whose
dedication to the 26th Judicial District Bar, the Mecklenburg Bar Association, and the
Mecklenburg Bar Foundation has been central to the success of each.
Many people are surprised to learn that North Carolina is the only state in the country that
requires membership in both the State Bar and a judicial district bar. That structure reflects a
confidence that we, as a legal community, are best positioned to carry out the responsibilities
of regulating the quality of our own legal practice and protecting the members of our
community who are affected by what we do.
Those obligations are not self-executing; they belong to each of us as members of this Bar.
Fulfilling them means working to identify deficiencies in the administration of justice and
pressing to correct them. It means ensuring that access to the legal system is not determined
by circumstance. And it means demonstrating, through our conduct and our commitments,
that this Bar takes its public obligations seriously — that in this community, the law is applied
fairly and impartially, governed only by the evidence and the law.
Those of us with daily interaction with the courts sometimes forget that most members of
the public rarely personally interact with the legal system. And in many instances, when
those interactions come, people are uncomfortable, vulnerable, and unhappy. What they
see in those interactions — our preparation, our professionalism, our conduct toward one
another and toward the court — will reinforce their understanding of what justice looks like –
positively or negatively.
FROM THE 26TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT BAR PRESIDENT
July/August 2026
Building on Progress,
Strengthening
Our Profession
By Graham Billings
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Continued on Page 18
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
It is my distinct honor and pleasure to
serve as President of the Mecklenburg Bar
Association for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Almost a decade ago, at the start of my
career as a baby lawyer here in Charlotte,
I received a copy of a book titled, “An
Independent Profession: A History of
the Mecklenburg County Bar”. As I was
preparing a version of these remarks for the
Annual Meeting, I even braved the wilds of
my storage unit to locate the exact copy
gifted to me when I was sworn in.
Published in 2012 as part of the Bar’s
centennial celebrations, the book chronicles
the birth and growth of our bar here
in Mecklenburg County. As you might
imagine, within the span of 100 plus years
of existence, the Bar has grown through
many seasons and changes. From times
of stability to challenging moments, our
Bar has witnessed, weathered, and where
necessary, responded, to the shifting needs
of our community.
Within the pages of “An Independent
Profession”, and in all of our collective
memories, you can find proof of the rich and
enduring legacy at the Meck Bar.
As I flipped through the volume, I found
myself reflecting on this legacy, and some of
the milestones along the way. Like when the
Meck Bar became the first local bar in the
state with a physical headquarters in 1987.
Or the pioneering work of the Mecklenburg
Bar Special Committee on Diversity, the
precursor to our current standing MBA DE&I
Committee, who over 20 years ago decided
to take definitive action to make our local
legal community more diverse and inclusive.
Or even more recently, in our decision to
bifurcate to better serve our members.
When I reflect on milestones like these, it
is clear that, as an organization, we have
an enduring legacy of rising to meet the
moment. And like any good legacy, the
real magic is in how we choose to carry it
forward.
With the help of our Mecklenburg Bar
Association leaders, volunteers, community
partners and our incredible Bar staff, these
first two years as a voluntary bar association
have set a high standard for what we can
achieve together. As the MBA embarks on
its third year of existence, we are excited
to continue carrying that legacy forward to
meet the moment of today.
As an organization, meeting the moment
looks like continuing our commitment to
making the Charlotte legal community
more diverse and inclusive. It looks like
strengthening our efforts to promote the
public’s understanding of the role of lawyers
and the rule of law. It looks like continuing
to execute relevant and responsive
programming to serve both our members
and the community at large.
This isn’t work that any of us can do alone.
Because while the Bar’s legacy is bigger
than all of us, it is ultimately made possible
by each of us. In the ways we choose to
lend our ideas, time, talent, and, when
fundraising season is upon us, our resources,
too, to further the mission of the Bar.
In times like these, with the rule of law and,
what sometimes seems like the profession
itself, under ever intensifying pressure and
scrutiny, it is more important than ever
that we remember our rich legacy as a Bar
and as a profession. It’s a legacy of rising
to meet the moment, and of leading with
courage and conviction that have been
hallmarks of lawyers for time immemorial.
As we begin the year ahead, I encourage
each of us to pause and ask ourselves how
we—individually and collectively—will rise
to meet this moment. The MBA will, as
always, continue to be a place where we
can come together to do this important
work—supporting our profession, our
community, and each other. That is how we
honor our legacy and keep building on it for
generations of lawyers to come. I’m excited
to see how we will meet the moment this
year, together.
And if you’ve made it this far through
this article, maybe you have ideas or
programming you’d like to see. If you aren’t
already a member, come join us! Reach out
to getinvolved@meckbar.org to find out
more about how to get involved.
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Meeting the Moment, Together
FROM THE MECKLENBURG BAR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT
By Mesha Sloss
This column is adapted from Mesha Sloss’s speech delivered at the May 20, 2026, Mecklenburg
Bar Association Annual Meeting.
LAWYERSMUTUALNC.COM
LAWYERS
MUTUAL
A mission to help.
People who care.
Protection that counts.
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
It’s my privilege to be selected Chair of the
Young Lawyers Division (YLD) for the 2026–
27 year. I want to thank the Mecklenburg
Bar Association for their nomination and for
entrusting me with spearheading the YLD
in the coming year. This opportunity serves
as a tremendous capstone of my five years
on the YLD Council! In the coming year, I
look forward to spearheading the work of
the Council and to work closely with many
talented attorneys and our Bar staff.
Before proceeding further, I want to
recognize and thank our outgoing Chair,
Patrick Macher, for his leadership and
commitment over the past year. Under
Patrick’s guidance, the YLD continued
to grow and to expand the depth and
breadth of its programming. Moreover,
the YLD welcomed many new faces into
our community via thoughtfully planned
swearing-in ceremonies, community service
events, social outings, and educational (CLE)
programming. His efforts have left the YLD
well-positioned for continued success as
we move forward into this new fiscal year,
and I am eager to build upon the strong
foundation he has laid.
I also want to extend sincere appreciation to
the members of the outgoing YLD Council,
many of whom are staying on for another
year of service to our Bar. These dedicated
attorneys are the ones who turn ideas
into reality—planning events, coordinating
initiatives, and ensuring that our programs
run smoothly. The accomplishments of
the past year simply would not have been
possible without their time, energy, and
creativity.
Looking ahead, I believe the YLD must
continue to serve as a place where
young lawyers can cultivate meaningful,
professional connections, develop relevant
skills, and build lasting friendships, all
while giving back to the greater Charlotte
community. Given the continued influx of
new lawyers into our community, I believe
the YLD is more important than ever before.
UPCOMING EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22
CHARLOTTE LEGAL CLERKSHIP
PROGRAM (CLCP) CLOSING
RECEPTION
Location TBD
THURSDAY, JULY 23
MEMORIAL HONORING MOSES
LUSKI
1:00 p.m.
Mecklenburg County Courthouse
Room 6370
MON.-THURS., AUGUST 3-6
MBA/CPCC LAW CAMP
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. each day
MBA members who volunteer
to serve at this camp will share
information about their practice area
and journey into the profession with
10th-12th graders.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
LEGAL EAGLE CHARITY GOLF
TOURNAMENT
8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Olde Sycamore Golf Club
7500 Olde Sycamore Dr., Charlotte
Join us for a day on the links
for a good cause benefiting the
Mecklenburg Bar Foundation.
Entry fee includes greens fees, light
breakfast, golf cart, prizes and post-
tournament lunch.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
MCMILLAN FELLOWSHIP DINNER
5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Station West
This annual event supports
the McMillan Fellowship Fund,
established in 1995 to honor the
memory and example of U.S. District
Judge James B. McMillan.
By Michael Peretz, YLD Chair
BUILDING ON A
STRONG FOUNDATION:
A MESSAGE FROM
THE 2026–27
YLD CHAIR
YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION
Go to MeckBar.org, click "Pay Dues" in the upper right hand corner and login.
(If you do not know your log in information, click "I forgot my username or
password." If you're unable to reset your credentials, contact
membership@meckbar.org for assistance.)
Complete your payment online OR print your invoice and mail it with a check
made payable to the 26th Judicial District Bar.
Mail to: 26
Judicial District Bar, Attn: Membership
t h
P.O. Box 30008, Charlotte, NC 28230
Firm administrators wishing to make a single payment for all members should
contact membership@meckbar.org if they have not already. If you are unsure of
whether your firm is participating in firm billing, contact your firm administrator.
Payment Due: July 31, 2026. Annual mandatory dues are $60.
Annual dues are required for all active members of the 26th Judicial District Bar.
Instructions for paying your 2026-27 mandatory membership dues:
Notice pursuant to 27 N.C.A.C. 1A .0902(c): Failure to pay the annual membership fee must be reported to the North Carolina State
Bar and may result in suspension of the member's license to practice law. N.C.G.S. 84-16, 84-18.1 and 84-34 require you to inform
your State and District Bar when your contact information changes.
Questions? Contact jwiggins@meckbar.org or call 704-375-8624 x107.
Continued on Page 18
Find all of these
events by scanning
the QR code to visit
the MeckBar Events
Calendar.
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
Each year in May, Charlotte-Mecklenburg
celebrates a unique if obscure Revolutionary
War commemoration: the much beloved,
much maligned, “first” declaration of
independence in the American colonies.
That is, the Mecklenburg Declaration of May
20, 1775 (or “MeckDec” as it’s known).
The MeckDec has survived a great deal of
derision, disbelief, indifference and even
hostility in the place of its birth, although
few really know much about it – despite the
fact that its date (May 20, 1775) graces the
flag of North Carolina! For decades it has
been history hiding in plain sight. But is it
true? Or a hoax? Or somewhere in between?
The true, uncontested facts of MeckDec are
as follows…
In late May 1775, the leaders of Mecklenburg
called a meeting to discuss how to address
the deteriorating state of affairs. Col.
Thomas Polk, commander of the county
militia, requested a meeting of local militia
leaders to be held on May 19.
During the meeting, a messenger arrived
on horseback bringing word of the battles
of Lexington and Concord, which had
occurred exactly one month prior (on April
19). This news threw the meeting into chaos
and confusion. One eyewitness recalled,
“We smelt and felt the Blood & carnage of
Lexington, which raised all the passions into
fury and revenge.”
The delegates decided to declare a series
of resolutions dissolving their allegiance to
British authority.
In the words of Joseph Graham, “After
reading a number of papers
as usual, and much animated
discussion, the question was
taken, and they resolved
to declare themselves
independent.”
Following the meeting,
the committee tasked a
local tavern owner named
James Jack to deliver their
resolutions to the Continental
Congress.
Jack was told that Congress
thought that independence
was “premature,” and was
sent home. At which point, the entire story
might have ended or ended up as a footnote
to local history.
Around 1819, a local citizen named Dr.
Joseph Alexander, son of a key witness
to the story, found among his father’s
surviving papers a written account and text
of the MeckDec story. He had it printed
in the Raleigh Register, the state’s largest
newspaper.
Former President John Adams read the
story and was astonished, writing to Thomas
Jefferson on June 22, 1819: “What a poor,
ignorant, malicious, short-sighted, crapulous
mass is Tom Paine’s ‘Common Sense,’ in
comparison with this paper! … The genuine
sense of America at that moment was never
expressed so well before, nor since.”
Jefferson replied, “What has attracted
my peculiar notice, is the paper from
Mecklenburg County … And you seem to
think it genuine. I believe it spurious.” Why,
Jefferson further argued, had no one
ever heard or acted on this Mecklenburg
Declaration? “Nor do I affirm, positively, that
Continued on Page 19
DIANE’S DELI
By Scott Syfert
The Mecklenburg Declaration
of Independence: A Primer
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, the 26th Judicial District
Bar (26th JD Bar) held its 114th Annual Meeting at Central
Piedmont Community College in the Parr Center Theater.
The event also marked the second Annual Meeting of the
voluntary Mecklenburg Bar Association (MBA).
Outgoing 26th JD Bar President R. Lee Robertson, Jr.
welcomed attendees and led a moment of silence to honor
members who passed away since the 2025 Annual Meeting:
Jason Ryan Binette, James E. Ferguson, II, Christian Glista,
Thomas Joseph Hefferon III, Graham Davis Holding Jr., Hon.
Donnie Hoover, Steve Horowitz, Hal Morrison Johnston, Jr.,
Jacob Donnell (Don) Lassiter, Nancy Stewart Litwak, John
Coble MacNeill Jr., Thomas W. Murrell III, Francis M. Pinckney,
Russell M. Robinson II, R. Patrick Snoddy, Barney Stewart,
Jan Louise Auwaerter Von Peterffy, Jon Wallas and Joe
Charles Young.
Mr. Robertson reflected on his time as president before turning
the program over to MBA President Sarah Motley Stone
who gave a report on the success of the MBA in its second
year. She then introduced 26th JD Bar Secretary Jason St.
Aubin, who presented the 2025 Annual Meeting minutes. The
minutes were unanimously approved. 26th JD Bar Treasurer
Gabrielle Kelly then gave a report on the financial state of the
mandatory bar.
Following the financial report, Ms. Stone invited presenters
and recipients of the annual Pro Bono Awards to the stage.
Congratulations to all of the recipients for their dedication to
serving our community.
CHARLOTTE CENTER FOR LEGAL ADVOCACY:
• Individual Award presented to Greg Hobby by Larissa Mañón
• Collaborative Project Award presented to Wills for
Warriors Program - Wells Fargo and McGuireWoods by
Courtney Viebrock. Angie Zimmern accepted the award
on behalf of McGuireWoods and Todd Stillerman
accepted on behalf of Wells Fargo
LEGAL AID OF NORTH CAROLINA:
• Individual Award presented to Anna Cushman by
Amanda Hinnant
• Firm Award presented to LPL Financial by Brien Hub.
Brian Soja accepted the award on behalf of LPL Financial
SAFE ALLIANCE:
• Individual Award presented to Rachel LaBruyere of
Moore & Van Allen by Suzi Canali and Rachel James
• Firm Award presented to Womble Bond Dickinson (US)
LLP by Suzi Canali and Rachel James
Continued on Page 18
Judge Aretha V. Blake and MBA President Mesha Sloss
26th JD Bar and
Mecklenburg Bar
Association Hold
Annual Meetings,
Elect 2026–27
Leadership
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee 2026-2027
Board of Directors 2026-27
Mesha Sloss, President
Larissa Mañón, Secretary
Caleb Holloway, Treasurer
Ross R. Fulton, President-Elect
Class of 2027
Patrick Macher
Vacancy*
Keisha Murray
Rick Quarles
Akya Rice
Brian Tyson
Young Lawyers Division Chair
Michael Peretz
Ex Officio
Leah R. Campbell, Executive Director
*Vacancies created by Board members moving to officer positions will be filled July 2026.
Class of 2028
Matthew Gerber
Robert Havelka
Judy Mayo
Hon. Cecilia Oseguera
Jessica Plummer
Jeremy Sugg
Class of 2029
Suzi Canali
Ben Chesson
Hilary Fankhauser
Michael Martinez
Leslie Pedernales
Sarah Sykes
Sarah Motley Stone,
Past President
Member-at-Large
(MBA Board to vote in
Member-at-Large July 2026)
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
EXECUTIVE BOARD 2026-27
Members-At-Large – Class of 2028
Graham Billings, President
Gabrielle Kelly, Secretary
David Sherman, Treasurer
R. Lee Robertson, Jr.,
Past President
Jason St. Aubin, President-Elect
Ex Officio
Leah R. Campbell, Executive Director
*Vacancies created by Board members moving to officer positions will be filled July 2026.
Sarah Beth Cain
Clay Campbell
Jessica Dixon
Anthony Monaghan
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee 2026-27
Board of Directors 2026-27
Mandana D. Vidwan, President
P. Barrett Morris, Secretary
Julie M. Bradlow, Chair,
Development Committee
Michael C. Harman, Past President
Matthew S. DeAntonio, President-Elect
Lawrence D. Wooden, Treasurer
Class of 2027
Coker Holmes
Hon. Alyssa Levine
Hon. Samantha Mobley
Ashley Oldfield
R. Lee Robertson, Jr.
Vacancy**
Ex Officio
Leah R. Campbell, Executive Director
*2nd term
** Vacancy to be filled by MBF Board July 2026
Class of 2028
Julie M. Bradlow
Joe D. Culik*
K. Shawn Garrett
Rachel R. Hamrick*
Amy R. Howard*
Hon. J. Rex Marvel
Class of 2029
Emma Butterworth
Emily Carney
Lacey Duskin*
Jasmine N. Little
Tim Misner
Vacancy**
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
LUNCH WITH A LAWYER CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
OF INSPIRING FUTURE LEGAL LEADERS IN
PARTNERSHIP WITH CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS
U.S. Fourth Circuit Chief Judge Albert Diaz introduced the mock trial to the attendees
On May 13, Lunch with a Lawyer students and mentors gathered at the Federal Courthouse with U.S. Fourth Circuit Chief
Judge Albert Diaz for the end-of-year celebration. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) representative Rick Martin presented
Chief Judge Diaz and the Mecklenburg Bar Association with a plaque to recognize the impact of the program’s 20 years. The
attendees enjoyed a tour, mock trial, and pizza luncheon that included celebratory cupcakes.
More than 1,100 CMS students and 500 legal professionals have participated in the Lunch with a Lawyer program since its
inception in 2006. For the 2025-26 school year, 46 Charlotte attorneys and judges matched with 48 eighth graders for
monthly lunches at four CMS Middle Schools. The MBA thanks CMS for their continued partnership and Chief Judge Diaz for
his unwavering support of the Lunch with a Lawyer program.
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is now recruiting volunteers for the 2026-27 school year. Sign up today to be
a Lunch with a Lawyer Mentor for the 2026-27 season at MeckBar.org/lunch-with-a-lawyer. Contact Kaila Johnson Belton
(mentorship@meckbar.org) for more information on how you can be involved.
MBA CLE
Fall CLE
Lineup
Now Loading...
Our fall CLE lineup is coming soon!
Keep an eye out for the folllowing programs and more:
Friday, October 9 | Zoom Webinar
The Biology of Stress in the Legal Profession: Cognitive
Performance, Judgement & Decision Making Under Pressure
Tuesday & Wednesday, October 13 & 14 | Zoom Webinar
Fall PNA
Wednesday, October 21 | In Person
The Lawyer Unscripted: Storytelling, Improv &
Ethical Communication
Friday, November 6 | In Person
14 Annual NC Business Court CLE
th
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
10
Mediation
& Arbitration
Services
in Federal &
Superior Court
Cases
• United States Magistrate Judge, 1993-
2009; Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney,
1987-93
• Co-author of Federal Civil Practice in
the Fourth Circuit and author of Fourth
Circuit Criminal Handbook
• Experience handling the full gamut of
federal civil litigation, including Title
VII, ADEA, ADA, FMLA, Sexual Harass-
ment, ERISA, Fair Labor Standards Act,
Intellectual Property, Civil Rights, Con-
struction, Education, Insurance and
Antitrust Claims, as well as a variety of
personal and commercial claims under
the Court’s diversity jurisdiction
•
• Named a 2011 through 2023
NC Super Lawyer and to the 2012
through 2023 American Registries’ list
of “Top Attorneys in NC”
Carl Horn, III
2810 Wamath Drive
Charlotte, NC 28210
704/591- 6398
ch@carlhornlaw.com
www.carlhornlaw.com
Carl Horn, III
Congratulations to the 2026 MBA Basketball League Champions, Team Hamilton Stephens!
They won the Championship game against Parker Poe, the champs from the past two years.
Team Members: George Sistrunk (Captain), Robert Shelton (Captain), Keith Rivenbark, Kolbe
McQuaid, Daniel Vander Woude, Trent Allard, Ryan Monk, Michael Hoefling, Clint Smith,
Juwaun Seegars, Colin Stockton, Alec Quint, Daniel Johnson, Christopher Dandridge and
Donald Fryer.
Every year, the Mecklenburg Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Committee accepts nominations for the Julius L. Chambers Diversity Champion
Award. The Chambers Award recognizes an attorney whose service and
participation in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area pays homage to the legacy of
Julius L. Chambers, an icon of the legal fight of the civil rights movement.
Attorneys based in Mecklenburg County who champion diversity, equity and
inclusion while embodying high ethical standards, unquestioned integrity,
and consistent competence are eligible to be nominated for this distinction.
Nominations for the 2027 award are due by Friday, September 4, 2026.
The award will be presented at the Hon. James B. McMillan Fellowship Dinner on
Tuesday, November 10. In previous years, this dinner was held in February.
Find more information and submit your nomination at
MeckBar.org/Chambers-Award.
Hamilton Stephens Wins
MBA Basketball Championship
C a l l f o r N o m i n a t i o n s :
2027 Julius L. Chambers
Diversity Champion Award
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
11
PRESENTER
ORGANIZATION
Shelley Abel
Bankruptcy Administrator, WDNC
Douglas Ansel
NC Dept. of Environmental Quality
Tania Archer
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
Hon. Carla N. Archie
Resident Superior Court Judge
Cynthia Aziz
Aziz Law Firm
Tammara Bauer
Bauer Law Practice
Hon. Laura T. Beyer
Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, WDNC
Hon. Aretha V. Blake
District Court Judge
Philip Bogdanoff
Sarah Boyce
General Counsel to Governor Josh
Stein
Lauren Brooks
Hon. A. Todd Brown
Fmr. Special Superior Court Judge
for Complex Business Cases
Ronald D. P. Bruckmann
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP
Kati Buckner
The Anderson Law Firm
Carl Burchette
Rosenwood, Rose & Litwak, PLLC
Katie Burchette
Johnston, Allison & Hord, PA
John Buric
James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A.
Hon. Shanté Burke-Hayer
District Court Judge
Casey Calloway
Trial Court Administrator,
26th Judicial District
Lawrence Cameron
Troutman Pepper Locke
Jack Capitano
Kirk Palmer and Thigpen, P.A.
John Carmichael
Robinson Bradshaw
Jules W. Carter
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
John V. Cattie
Cattie & Gonzalez, PLLC
Suzanne Cavanaugh
Cavanaugh Hamrick & McCarthy
Cristina Cerón
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
Ben Cherry
Cherry Associates
Joe Cherry
Cherry Associates
Diana Coada
Rogers Townsend
Hon. Adam M. Conrad
Special Superior Court Judge for
Complex Business Cases
PRESENTER
ORGANIZATION
Ayrin Cooke
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Krista Cooley
Mayer Brown
Selin Coskun
J. David Tax Law
Amy L. Cox Gruendel
Resolution Mediation Services, LLC
dba Seek Resolution
Hon. Jena P. Culler
District Court Judge
Heather Culp
Office of the Bankruptcy
Administrator, WDNC
Hon. Mark A. Davis
Special Superior Court Judge for
Complex Business Cases
Maya Davis
Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP
Meredith P. Davis
26th Judicial District Court Caseflow
Managment Administrator
April Dawson
NC Central University Law School
Zachary D. De Leon
Cattie & Gonzalez, PLLC
Chris DiAngelo
Katten Muchin Rosenman
Ben Downing
Cattie & Gonzalez, PLLC
Damon Duncan
Duncan Law, LLP
J. M. Durnovich
Poyner Spruill LLP
Hon. Julianna Earp
Special Superior Court Judge for
Complex Business Cases
Mary Kathryn Elkins
Children’s Advocacy Center of
Charlotte
Rob Ellsworth
The Majority Group
Kyle Elworthy
Network Essentials
Hilary Fankhauser
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
Nancy Ferguson
Ferguson Land Title Issues, LLC
Jon Ferry
Bradley
Chris Fialko
Fialko Law
Hon. Faith Fickling-Alvarez
District Court Judge
Jeff Field
Bank of America
Hon. Jennifer L. Fleet
District Court Judge
Mike Flood
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
McKenna Fono
Johnston, Allison & Hord, PA
Amanda Franklin
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
Thank you to all of the 2025-26 CLE Presenters!
Continued Next Page
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
12
PRESENTER
ORGANIZATION
Ariel Freedman
NC State Bar
Yvette Fuller
Mecklenburg Co. Clerk of Superior Court
Tiffany Fullwood
Administrative Office of the Courts
Ross Fulton
Rayburn Cooper & Durham, P.A.
Sabrina Gamero
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
Steve Garcia
NexGen Business Consulting
Shawn Garrett
Garrett PLLC
Jonathan Gaynor
Dechert
Matt Gerber
McGuireWoods LLP
Mark D. Gott
Fletcher Tydings Williams-Tracy & Gott,
PLLC
Evin Grant
NC State Bar
Stewart Gray
Mecklenburg County Historic
Landmarks Department
Beth Greene
Bradley
Jacquelyn Greene
UNC School of Government
Christina J. Grigorian
Katten Muchin Rosenman
Ann Groninger
Copeley Johnson & Groninger PLLC
J. Baron Groshon
The Law Offices of J. Baron Groshon
Cynthia Hailey
Lowe’s Companies, Inc
Micah Hall
The Hall Law Firm, PLLC
Anna Hamel
Bradley
Hon. Tyyawdi Hands
Retired District Court Judge
Erika Harold
Illinois Supreme Court on
Professionalism
Helen Ruth Harwell
Harwell Law Firm, P.A.
Amanda Hawkins
Brooks Pierce
Hon. Gary L. Henderson
District Court Judge
Travis Hinman
Robinson Bradshaw
Jarret P. Hitchings
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Hon. George R. Hodges
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, WDNC
Tommy Holderness
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
Caleb Holloway
Robinson Bradshaw
Jenny P. Holman
Chapter 13 Trustee, Charlotte Division
Adam Horner
National Renewable Energy Corporation
Jamie Horowitz
Guardian ad Litem Program
Aaron Houck
Robinson Bradshaw
PRESENTER
ORGANIZATION
Seth Houk
Administrative Office of the Courts
Andrew T. Houston
Moon Wright & Houston, PLLC
Christine Houston
Compass Group USA, Inc. - Legal
Department
Hon. Matthew T. Houston
Special Superior Court Judge for
Complex Business Cases
Linda Hurlbert
Sodoma Law, P.C.
Sarvani Jami
Administrative Office of the Courts
Kelly Jesson
Jesson & Rains, PLLC
K. Mitchell Kelling
Hamilton Stephens Steele + Martin
Lisa Kelly
Carolina Counseling & Consulting
Services
Danielle Kestnbaum
OurFamilyWizard
Cathy Killian
NC Lawyers Assistance Program
Dena King
Parker Poe
Kate Kliebert
Kliebert Law, PLLC
Heryka Knoespel
Troutman Pepper Locke
Richard J. Krenmayer
Stasmayer, Inc.
Paul Kurzeja
Bank of America
Brad Kutrow
McGuireWoods LLP
Rachel LaBruyere
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
Bart Landess
Catawba Lands Conservancy
Wood Lay
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
Joshua Lee
Jetton & Meredith, PLLC
Hon. Alyssa M. Levine
District Court Judge
Hon. C. Renee Little
District Court Judge
Nancy Litwak
Rosenwood, Rose & Litwak, PLLC
Lindsey Lonergan
WellSpan Health
Andrés López
The Lopez Law Firm, PLLC
Harrison Lord
Lord & Lindley
Jamey Lowdermilk
Brooks Pierce
Amy Lowe
The Stoner Group at Morgan Stanley
Marcy Luna
ReEnergize Coaching, LLC
Janelle Lyons
Gardner Skelton PLLC
Patrick Macher
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Clare Magee
Poyner Spruill LLP
Hon. Christy T. Mann
District Court Judge
T h a n k y o u 2 0 2 5 - 2 6 C L E P r e s e n t e r s !
Continued from previous page
Continued Next Page
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
13
T h a n k y o u 2 0 2 5 - 2 6 C L E P r e s e n t e r s !
Continued from previous page
PRESENTER
ORGANIZATION
Larissa Mañón
Charlotte Center for Legal
Advocacy
Hon. Rex Marvel
District Court Judge
Robert A. Mays
Mays Johnson Law Firm
Crystal McBride
Bagnardi Law, PLLC
Patrick McHenry
Crishon McManus
Allspring Global
Hon. Paige B. McThenia
District Court Judge
Charles Melcombe
Copeland Richards, PLLC
Nicky Melton
Administrative Office of the Courts
Jennifer Moore
Marcellino & Moore, PLLC
P. Barrett Morris
Moore & Van Allen PLLC
Bethany Mulhern
Miller Cushing Holladay, PLLC
Hon. Matthew D. Newton
District Court Judge
Tate Ogburn
Poyner Spruill LLP
Chiege Okwara
Law Office of Chiege Okwara
Becca O’Neill
Carolina Migrant Network
Alexandra O’Rourke
Alumbra
Chris Osborn
The Law Office of D Christopher
Osborn d/b/a Conflict Resolution
John Parker
Retired Attorney
Anne M. Parkin
NC State Bar
Corey Parton
Parton Law, PLLC
Hon. Rhonda L.
District Court Judge
Patterson-Wrighten
Dwayne Pennant
Pennant Law Offices, PLLC
Henry Pharr
Kirk Palmer and Thigpen, P.A.
Mark Pincus
Gardner Skelton PLLC
Anita Poulton
Mitra Bookkeeping
Elizabeth Pratt
AmWINS Group, Inc.
Elysia Prendergast-Jones
Legal Aid of North Carolina
Justin Prusiensky
Prus Law
Whitney Pryor
Lowe’s Companies, Inc
Katie Ramseur
UKG
Akya Rice
Trane Technologies, Inc
Patrick Riley
Cape Fear Debt Relief
Kevin Roak
Bell Davis Pitt
PRESENTER
ORGANIZATION
R. Lee Robertson, Jr.
Robertson & Associates
Hon. Michael L. Robinson
Chief Business Court Judge
Sydney Robinson
Old Republic Title
Whitaker Rose
Rosenwood, Rose & Litwak, PLLC
JoLisa Rouse
Guardian ad Litem Program
Kyla Scanlon
Lauren Schantz
Rayburn Cooper & Durham, P.A.
Edward L. Schntizer
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Andrew Schwaba
Schwaba Law Firm
Jill Settlemyer
Gardner Skelton PLLC
Tori Shepard
Carolina Migrant Network
Kathryn Shields
NC State Bar
Bruce Simpson
Bruce Simpson Law, PLLC
Mesha Sloss
Huber Engineered Woods LLC
Arthur Smith
Mecklenburg County Clerk of
Superior Court
Hon. Keith S. Smith
District Court Judge
Claudia Soto
Soto Law, PLLC
Jennifer Spyker
Tin Fulton Walker & Owen, PLLC
Jason St. Aubin
St. Aubin Law
Erin Stanforth
Mecklenburg County
Jennie Staples
Littler
David Stasaitis
Stasmayer, Inc.
Sarah Motley Stone
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Eileen Stoner
The Stoner Group at Morgan
Stanley
Madelyn Strohm
Bradley
Tomi Suzuki
Villmer Caudill
Siri Swayampu
Lowe’s Companies, Inc
Sarah Sykes
M. Turner Family Law
Steven G. Tate
Chapter 13 Trustee, Asheville,
Bryson City, Statesville and Shelby
Divisions
Patricia R. Taylor
Lincoln Financial Distributors
Mary Lynn Tedesco
Tedesco Legal PC
Rho Thomas
Darla Torres
Parton Law, PLLC
Continued Next Page
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
14
As professional costs continue to climb, the Mecklenburg Bar
Association recently reduced the cost of its Lawyer Referral
Service (LRS), making participation more affordable for
members. For over 60 years, the LRS has connected local
attorneys with clients. Now with an updated online system,
connecting with clients is easier and more affordable than
ever. Set and collect your own fees and match with clients on
over 100 different case types for one flat fee.
Mecklenburg Bar Association (MBA) members can access
exclusive LRS subscription discounts.
MBA Member rates:
$500 – One Year Subscription
$150 – Three Month Subscription
$375 – First Time Panelists – One Year Subscription
Non-MBA Member rates:
$990 – One Year Subscription
$270 – Three Month Subscription
Contact Shelby Benson, Director of Outreach, at
sbenson@meckbar.org to set up your LRS profile today or
sign up when renewing your MBA dues.
14
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Adventures
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T h a n k y o u 2 0 2 5 - 2 6 C L E
P r e s e n t e r s !
Continued from previous page
PRESENTER
ORGANIZATION
Hon. Elizabeth T. Trosch
District Court Judge
Hon. Louis A. Trosch
Superior Court Judge
Crystal Trotter
Lowe’s Companies, Inc
Patti Tutone
Collins Family Law Group
Kim Tyson
K. Tyson Law, PLLC
Jeneva Vazquez
Jesson & Rains, PLLC
Liz Vennum
Hull & Chandler, P.A.
Allen Viancourt
Network Essentials
Courtney Viebrock
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
Andrew Vining
Practus, LLP
Hon. Frank W. Volk
U.S. District Court, S.D. W. Va.
Joshua Walthall
Boerema Blackton LLP
Rebecca Watts
Sodoma Law, P.C.
Nathanael Williams
McGuireWoods LLP
Nicholas Williams
Villmer Caudill
RaShawnda Williams
The Banks Law Firm
Hunt Wofford
Wofford Law, PLLC
Beth Wytiaz
Davidson Lands Conservancy
LRS Increasing MBA
Member Value in 2026
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
15
or more than four decades,
International House has helped
immigrants and international cultures
thrive in Charlotte. Since its founding in
1981, the organization has served as a
welcoming place for newcomers and a vital
bridge connecting people across cultures,
languages, and experiences.
At the core of International House’s mission
is a belief that has shaped its work for
generations: immigrants strengthen our
community. They enrich cultural life, broaden
perspectives, contribute to economic
growth, and help shape a more vibrant and
globally connected Charlotte.
Through immigration legal services,
educational programming, and cross-cultural
engagement, International House empowers
individuals and families to build stable,
successful lives while helping to create a
more inclusive, dynamic, and culturally rich
Charlotte.
As immigration laws and policies
became increasingly difficult to navigate,
International House recognized the growing
need for accessible legal support within
the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.
In response, the organization launched its
Immigration Law Clinic in 2002 to provide
trusted, affordable immigration legal
services to low-income immigrants, refugees,
and asylees traversing a complex and often
overwhelming legal system.
What began as a modest initiative has
grown into International House’s largest
department, now serving more than 900
individual clients each year.
For many families, the Immigration Law
Clinic is far more than a legal resource—it’s
a lifeline. The Clinic provides low-and-pro-
bono legal representation to individuals
and families seeking permanent residency,
naturalization, family reunification,
replacement of lost or stolen immigration
documents, humanitarian protections, and
other immigration benefits that create long-
term stability and security.
In recent years, the Clinic has expanded
its services to respond to emerging
humanitarian crises and rapidly shifting
immigration policies. Clinic staff have
assisted Afghan and Ukrainian nationals
seeking humanitarian parole, asylum, and
special immigrant visas; secured Temporary
Protected Status for qualifying individuals;
and supported military families and DACA
recipients in securing parole-related
protections.
The demand for professional and affordable
legal representation continues to rise at a
time when many immigrant communities
face increasing uncertainty and fear. Political
polarization, anti-immigrant rhetoric,
and sharp reductions in federal funding
have created mounting challenges for
nonprofit organizations working to provide
immigration support.
Despite these obstacles, International
House remains committed to ensuring that
vulnerable individuals and families have
access to high-quality legal representation
regardless of their financial means.
The Clinic is funded primarily through grants,
individual donations, and International
House’s annual fundraiser, allowing clients to
pay only a fraction of standard private-sector
legal fees. To qualify for services, clients
must earn below 200-300% of the Federal
Poverty Guidelines based on household size.
Many refugees and asylees receive services
at no cost, and pro bono representation is
always available to individuals experiencing
homelessness.
Beyond legal services, International House
offers a wide range of educational and
community programs designed to help
immigrants fully participate in community
life while creating meaningful opportunities
for cross-cultural connection and
understanding.
Program offerings include adult English
and citizenship classes, cultural immersion
tours, youth summer literacy programs, and
after-school tutoring for elementary school
English language learners. International
House also connects immigrant families with
essential local resources and services.
Equally important are International House’s
community-building initiatives, which
create welcoming spaces where people of
all backgrounds can connect, learn from
one another, and build lasting relationships.
Programs such as multilingual conversation
hours, the International Women’s
“Doorways” Club, People of the World
gatherings, and the Young Professionals
Group foster friendship, cultural exchange,
and a deeper sense of belonging across
Charlotte’s increasingly diverse community.
In a time when division and
misunderstanding often dominate public
discourse, International House continues
to create spaces rooted in dignity,
understanding, and human connection.
To that end, International House invites you
to its annual fundraiser:
“A Celebration of Cultures”
Friday, October 23, 2026
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at The Revelry
ihclt.org/annual-fundraiser
The event will feature a silent auction,
international entertainment, a sampling
of global cuisine, refreshments, and
opportunities for community members,
sponsors, and patrons to come together in
celebration of Charlotte’s cultural diversity.
More than a fundraiser, “A Celebration
of Cultures” honors the resilience,
International House: Strengthening Charlotte Through
Belonging, Opportunity, and Connection
By Ayat Hamza, Immigration Attorney, International House
Continued on Page 17
AGENCY SPOTLIGHT
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
16
WELCOME TO THE NORTH CAROLINA BAR: 33 NEW ATTORNEYS SWORN IN
Congratulations to the 33 new attorneys sworn into the North Carolina Bar on Wednesday, May 6, including several who were also
admitted to practice in the Federal Bar.
We were proud to celebrate this important milestone at the Charles R. Jonas Federal Building and extend our sincere thanks to everyone
who helped make the day special:
Special thanks to the Federal Clerks for the Western District of North Carolina and MBA Champion Preferred Supporter Lawyers Mutual
of NC for your continued sponsorship and support.
• Hon. Elizabeth Trosch, 26th Judicial District
• Hon. Rex Marvel, 26th Judicial District
• Hon. Frank Whitney, Senior Judge, U.S. District Court
• R. Lee Robertson, Jr., 26th Judicial District Bar President
• Sarah Motley Stone, Mecklenburg Bar Association President
• Patrick Macher, Young Lawyers Division Chair
• Michael Peretz, Young Lawyers Division Vice Chair
• Charles Melcombe, Young Lawyers Division Membership Chair
• Ke’Aria Morgan, Young Lawyers Division Membership
Committee
• Tracy Simmons, Mecklenburg County Assistant Clerk
• Helena Chancellor, Mecklenburg County Assistant Clerk
• U.S. Marshals and Mecklenburg County Bailiffs
• Federal Clerks
• Brien Hub, Legal Aid of North Carolina
• Attorney sponsors for new admittees
Hon. Frank Whitney and Hon. Elizabeth Trosch
Hon. Rex Marvel and Hon. Frank Whitney
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
17
BUSINESS LAW
Chair: Lauren Schantz,
Rayburn Cooper & Durham,
P.A.; Vice Chairs: Andrew
Vining, Practus, LLP and
Shawn Garrett, Garrett, PLLC
CIVIL LITIGATION
Chair: Nicholas Williams,
Villmer Caudill; Vice Chair: Liz
Vennum, Hull & Chandler, P.A.
CORPORATE COUNSEL
Chair: Katie Ramseur, UKG;
Vice Chair: Nicholas Haering,
Trane Technologies
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Chair: Jason St. Aubin, St.
Aubin Law
DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Chair: Edward (Ted)
Hennessey, Robinson
Bradshaw; Vice Chair: Sally
Higgins, Higgins & Owens,
PLLC
ESTATE PLANNING &
PROBATE
Chair: Micah Hall, The Hall
Law Firm, PLLC; Vice Chair:
Dwayne Pennant, Pennant
Law Offices, PLLC
FAMILY LAW
Chair: Jessica Moreau Hester,
Hamilton Stephens Steele &
Martin, PLLC.; Co-Vice Chairs:
Simi Patel, Sodoma Law, P.C.
and Morgan Rich, Cordell &
Cordell
IMMIGRATION &
NATIONALITY
Chair: Mary Lynn Tedesco,
Tedesco Legal PC; Vice Chair:
Cara Palmer, Legal Aid of
North Carolina
JUVENILE LAW
Co-Chairs: Jamie Horowitz,
Guardian Ad Litem Program
and JoLisa Rouse, Guardian
Ad Litem Program
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT
Chair: Caleb Holloway,
Robinson Bradshaw; Vice
Chair: Mark Pincus,
Gardner Skelton, PLLC
LEGAL
PROFESSIONALS
Chair: Felicia Ray,
Jetton & Meredith,
PLLC; Co-Vice Chairs:
Jeorge Jaimes, Brooks
Pierce and Keramilah
Davis, Moore & Van
Allen
REAL PROPERTY
Chair: Susan Hall,
Mecklenburg County
Office of the County
Attorney; Vice Chair:
Scott Hester, City of
Charlotte
SOLE PRACTITIONER/
SMALL FIRM
Chair: James (Rick)
Yandle, Yandle Tax
Law; Vice Chair: Matt
Krueger-Andes, Krueger-
Andes Law, PLLC
TAX
Chair: Selin Coskun, J. David
Tax Law; Vice Chair: Justin
Prusiensky, Prus Law
WHITE-COLLAR
CRIME/GOVERNMENT
INVESTIGATIONS
Chair: Joie Johnston,
McGuireWoods; Vice Chair:
Eddie Nogay, Troutman
Pepper Locke
LEGAL EAGLE
CHARITY GOLF
TOURNAMENT
LEGAL EAGLE
CHARITY GOLF
TOURNAMENT
SECURE YOUR SPONSORSHIP AT
MECKBAR.ORG/LEGALEAGLE2026
SECURE YOUR SPONSORSHIP AT
MECKBAR.ORG/LEGALEAGLE2026
JOIN US FOR A DAY OF FUN &
FELLOWSHIP ON THE GREEN
SUPPORTING THE RULE OF
LAW & ACCESS TO JUSTICE.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026
8:30 AM
OLDE SYCAMORE GOLF PLANTATION
7500 OLDE SYCAMORE DRIVE
CHARLOTTE, NC 28227
achievements, and contributions of
immigrants who help shape our community
every day. It also serves as a powerful
reminder that building a welcoming
community requires collective investment
and shared responsibility.
Tickets will go on sale in August 2026, and
sponsorship opportunities are currently
available. To learn more, please visit:
ihclt.org/annual-fundraiser.
Every person served by International House
represents more than an individual success
story. When immigrants gain legal stability,
improve language skills, pursue education,
reunite with loved ones, or build professional
and community connections, the benefits
ripple throughout the community.
Families become more secure. Workplaces
grow stronger. Neighborhoods become
more connected. Communities become more
resilient.
By supporting International House, sponsors,
donors, and community partners help
to ensure that justice, opportunity, and
belonging remain within reach for those who
need them the most.
AGENCY SPOTLIGHT
Continued from Page 15
MBA SECTIONS – BY THE NUMBERS
Sections hosting
monthly social
events
7 15
Sections to
choose from
41%
of MBA Members joined
at least one Section in 2025-26
(1,053 total members)
113
Events hosted by MBA Sections –
including business meetings, month
lunches, socials & CLEs
68.75
Hours of free or discounted
CLE hosted by MBA Sections
across 26 programs
11
Joint networking
events & CLEs hosted
by multiple Sections
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025-26 SECTION LEADERSHIP!
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
18
ANNUAL MEETINGS/2026-2027 LEADERSHIP
Continued from page 5
YLD UPDATE
Continued from page 3
BUILDING ON PROGRESS
Continued from page 1
Our incoming Council, working closely with the outgoing
members, is already hard at work planning a full slate of
programs and events for the coming year. With a continued
growth in our membership, the YLD is well-equipped with the
resources needed to offer high-quality educational programming,
community service opportunities, and social events that provide
real value to our members and Charlotteans at large. As we
work hard to plan new initiatives and events, I kindly ask that you
please keep an eye on our emails and announcements so you can
join us and take full advantage of what the YLD has to offer.
I also want to invite each of you to become more involved in the
YLD. Although I recognize community involvement is difficult at
times in our profession, I feel it is imperative that young lawyers
make a deliberate effort to engage in their community.
Given the recent restructure of our YLD Leadership structure
where we added Vice Chair positions to each committee, it is
now a fantastic time to take on leadership positions in our various
committees, each of which provides a direct avenue for young
attorneys to develop our initiatives and help steer the direction
of our organization. Fresh perspectives from our membership are
essential to keeping the YLD vibrant, relevant, and responsive to
the needs of young lawyers. On behalf of the entire YLD Council,
I cannot stress how much we welcome your participation in our
organization.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to serve as YLD Chair
for the upcoming year. I look forward to working with, and
advocating for, our members. You can reach out to me at
yld@meckbar.org with any thoughts, questions, or suggestions.
Here’s to a productive, engaging, and rewarding year ahead for
the YLD and the Mecklenburg Bar Association as a whole!
SAFE ALLIANCE (continued)
Mark Henriques and Carla Brafford accepted
the award on behalf of Womble Bond
Dickinson (US) LLP
Ms. Stone thanked all recipients for their
service and invited Thomas Powers, Chair
of the 26th JD Bar Nominating Committee,
to present the 2026-27 slate.
2026–27 26TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT BAR
OFFICERS ELECTED
• President-Elect: Jason St. Aubin
• Secretary: Gabrielle Kelly
• Treasurer: David Sherman
MEMBERS AT LARGE – CLASS OF 2028
• Sarah Beth Cain
• Clay Campbell
• Jessica Dixon
• Anthony Monaghan
Judge Aretha V. Blake administered the
oath of office to 26th JD Bar President
Graham Billings. For his full remarks, see
the President’s Letter on the cover.
Courtney Ballard, Chair of the MBA
Nominating Committee, presented the
2026-27 slate.
2026–27 MECKLENBURG BAR
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS ELECTED
• President-Elect: Ross Fulton
• Secretary: Larissa Mañón
• Treasurer: Caleb Holloway
MBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS – CLASS
OF 2029
• Suzi Canali
• Ben Chesson
• Hilary Fankhauser
• Michael Martinez
• Leslie Pedernales
• Sarah Sykes
MBA YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION
• Chair: Michael Peretz
Judge Blake then administered the oath
to MBA President Mesha Sloss. Ms. Sloss’
full remarks are available in the President’s
Letter on Page 2.
Mr. Robertson closed the meeting by
thanking the Bar staff and offering special
recognition to Preferred Supporters Lawyers
Mutual of North Carolina and TowneBank for
their continued support, which allowed the
meeting and luncheon to remain free for
Bar members.
At this pivotal moment in the legal
profession, we must redouble our
commitment to upholding the standards
of professionalism and collegiality
that define this Bar. We must continue
to place the integrity of the legal
process above personal advantage and
understand that the strength of this Bar
is only as durable as the conduct of its
members.
That is the standard I will hold myself to
this year, and it is what I will ask this Bar
to embody.
I am proud to lead the 26th Judicial
District Bar over the next year. I look
forward to working with each of you, and
I welcome your input, your engagement,
and your candor.
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
19
this paper is a fabrication,” Jefferson wrote
Adams, “because the proof of a negative
can only be presumptive. But I shall believe
it such until positive and solemn proof of
its authenticity shall be produced. For the
present, I must be an unbeliever in the
apocryphal gospel.”
But beyond the fragmentary papers
Alexander had printed, no definitive
documentary evidence existed to validate
the MeckDec story. The original papers had
been lost in a house fire in 1800.
In 1829, the North Carolina General
Assembly created a select committee to
settle the controversy once and for all. The
committee reached out to witnesses in
Mecklenburg and surrounding counties and
as far afield as Georgia and Tennessee for
any surviving participants or observers from
the meetings in May 1775, such as Capt.
James Jack, Gen. Joseph Graham and Maj.
John Davidson. They produced a 32-page
report on their findings, published by the
Assembly in 1831.
Things then got complicated in 1838 when
a researcher named Peter Force discovered
a series of resolutions from a committee in
Charlotte-Town in an old newspaper dated
in the summer of 1775.
These become known as the “Mecklenburg
Resolves” to differentiate them from the
“Mecklenburg Declaration.”
These resolutions, 20 in number, did not
look or read like what the witnesses recalled
the Mecklenburg Declaration as looking or
reading like. They were dated May 31, when
by nearly all accounts the MeckDec had
been made on May 20. Nowhere do they
say that the county “dissolved the political
bands” with Great Britain nor was “free and
independent” as the witnesses had said and
the other papers had suggested.
These Mecklenburg Resolves, the critics
argued, were all that had happened. The
various eyewitnesses were not lying, but
their accounts, given more than 50 years
after the events, were simply confusing a
real paper with a fictitious “declaration of
independence.” And that’s basically where
the arguments remain to this day.
Historians and enthusiasts on both sides
of the issue will never conclusively prove
or disprove the case, at least to everyone’s
satisfaction. Thus, the MeckDec controversy,
dating back to Adams and Jefferson, grinds
on and will not be resolved anytime soon, if
ever, which candidly is part of the fun.
Scott Syfert is a partner at Moore & Van Allen
and Chairman of the May 20th Society and
the Trail of History nonprofits.
EDITORIAL POLICY AND
DISCLAIMER
This is a joint policy of the 26th Judicial
District Bar (the 26th), the Mecklenburg
Bar Association (MBA), and the
Mecklenburg Bar Foundation (MBF).
The MBA accepts editorial material of
general legal interest to its members and
members of the 26th for inclusion in the
Mecklenburg Bar News,
MeckBar.org, Bar Blasts and related
methods of communication. The
implicit purposes of the Mecklenburg
Bar News, MeckBar.org, Bar Blasts and
related methods of communication are
to provide notices to the membership
of the 26th required by law or in the
organizational bylaws, to educate
members of the MBA on topics related
to the MBA, MBF, and practice of law,
and to maintain shared communication
among the local legal community. The
MBA Communications Committee,
Executive Director and/or the MBA
Executive Committee reserve the right
to accept, reject or edit all material. The
Executive Director is the editor of all
communications.
DISCLAIMER: Efforts will be made to
provide information of interest that
is timely, accurate and relevant to
the legal community. The MBA is not
responsible for misprints, typographical
errors or misinformation in the
Mecklenburg Bar News, MeckBar.org,
Bar Blasts and related methods of
communication. The views and opinions
published are not necessarily those of
the 26th, MBA, and MBF.
2025-26 Communications Committee:
Meredith Barnette (Chair), Mikaela
Hoover (Vice Chair), Nick D’Auria, Susan
Hall, Jasmine R. Little, Ashley Oldfield,
Jessica Plummer, Diane Price, Jesse
Sharp, Edward Woodall, and
Meghan Tinkham (Staff Liaison).
Call for
Newsletter Article
Ideas & Authors
If you have a suggestion
for an article and/or would
be willing to author the
article, please contact MBA
Associate Executive Director
Meghan Tinkham
(mtinkham@meckbar.org).
MECKDEC PRIMER
Continued from page 4
MeckBar.org
July/August 2026
DATED MATERIAL
Mecklenburg Bar Association
P.O. Box 30008
Charlotte, NC 28230
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U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
CHARLOTTE, NC
PERMIT NO. 3337
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