On June 13-16, the NCADA celebrated its 42nd anniversary by hosting its annual meeting at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. The weather was perfect, the beer was cold, and with just over 200 in attendance, friendships old and new were kindled. A very big thank you to NCADA’s now President-Elect, Allen Smith with Hedrick Gardner Kincheloe & Garofalo, NCADA Executive Director Lynette Pitt and Events Coordinator Jennifer Edwards for organizing and putting on a top-notch program. A few highlights:
** Larry Pozner, nationally renowned guru on cross-examination did not disappoint with his “Three Rules of Cross Examination”.
** Dixie Wells of Ellis & Winters provided a most helpful and cogent summary of the notable appellate decisions over the past year.
** JD Keister of McAngus Goudelock & Courie facilitated one of the most informative panel discussions I have seen on current tactics and strategies employed by Plaintiff’s counsel.
** Laura Mahr of Conscious Legal Minds led us through a session of mindfulness training and techniques for reducing stress.
** We had strong participation from the judiciary – too many to list them all here – but to name a few: Chief Justice Beasley from the NC Supreme Court, Chief Judge Linda McGee from the NC Court of Appeals, federal Judge Martin Reidinger from the Western District of North Carolina, and Judges McGuire, Conrad and Robinson from the NC Business Court.
But, by far, the biggest highlight was the opportunity to visit and spend time with our colleagues, young and old. The NCADA is made up of some the most talented and skilled litigation and trial lawyers from across the entire state representing clients in a wide array of practice areas. As a member, if you are not taking advantage of developing your practice by nurturing your relationships with these colleagues, you are losing one of the strongest benefits of being a member.
Mark your calendars now for two dates:
The NCADA fall meeting at the Grandover in Greensboro on October 4, and
The next annual meeting in Hilton Head on June 11, 2020. This will be an election year so I’m anticipating a large turn-out.
Finally, a quick but deep expression of gratitude to our immediate past president Larry Baker of Willson Jones Carter & Baxley for his strong and steady leadership over the past year.
Hopefully, we’ll see you in Greensboro on October 4.
Lach Zemp
President
