Articles

Help! The North Carolina State Bar Opened a Grievance Against Me. What Do I Do?

First, you need to understand how grievances are started at the North Carolina State Bar. Almost anything can trigger the opening of a grievance at the North Carolina State Bar, but typically someone submits a complaint. And while a complaint usually comes from a client or former client, it can really come from anyone: an opposing party, a client’s spouse or relative, an opposing counsel, a judge, or even just someone with an unhealthy obsession with you. There is no “standing” requirement. Read More +

Changes to Notary Act and Rules That Affect Attorneys Now

Emergency Video Notarization (EVN) Alert EVN expired on June 30, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. House Bill 556, which would have extended EVN until July 1, 2025, has been vetoed over a matter unrelated to notarization. Unless the General Assembly should override the veto or another legislative action is taken to extend E… Read More +

Local Counsel in NC Federal Court: Additional Obligations

In North Carolina’s federal courts, local counsel are personally on the hook not only to appear in person at significant proceedings but also for Rule 11 compliance—the latter requiring either direct compliance (in the Middle and Western Districts) or indirect compliance (by ensuring that lead counsel complies with Rule 11, in the Eastern District). You cannot avoid that consequence by getting the client to agree you are not responsible for substantive matters—even though that’s still a good idea. The responsibility arises from your obligation to the court, as an officer of the court, rather than from your obligation to the client. Read More +

Mommy, how do you make a . . . Bar Grievance?

I have four children, and they ask the most frustrating questions sometimes. A recent selection provides a glimpse into the depraved curiosity of their little minds: “Pa, can you kill someone for stealing a scooter?” “Mommy, why aren’t you as smart as Aunt Tracy?” &l… Read More +

Ukraine: Stay and Remain, Part 2

Thousands of servicemembers have been deployed in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Naval frigates, surveillance aircraft, artillery units and brigade combat teams are all heading out as part of the first-ever NATO Response Force. Undoubtedly some of the servicemembers (SMs) will be involved in civil cases, administrative legal proceedings, and family law litigation. Some of these SMs will likely ask the court to freeze the case during a deployment (or any period in which the SM is unavailable due to assigned duties), so the status quo will remain while the SM is not available. Read More +