North Carolina State Bar

1. Hurricane Helene did more than physical damage— the emotional impact has deeply affected lawyers and judges across the state. A program of the State Bar, the North Carolina Lawyer Assistance Program stands ready to assist and is only a phone call or email away. www.nclap.org. The below article explains the process and stages of emotional recovery for those impacted, whether directly or indirectly, and includes practical tips about how to provide support at every stage. - Full article: https://lnkd.in/gNQB5JRb 2. Remember, when in doubt, rely on the State Bar. The State Bar serves as a resource to lawyers in understanding and meeting their professional responsibilities. Questions will likely arise as circumstances evolve, and lawyers may contact the state bar’s ethics staff for guidance, if needed, by emailing [email protected] or by calling the North Carolina State Bar at (919) 828-4620. The below article was written to assist lawyers in identifying and prioritizing their first steps in addressing client needs and meeting professional obligations during this trying time. - Full article: https://lnkd.in/eWYWKt7P

FREE REGISTRATION The North Carolina Legal Assistance for Military Personnel (NC LAMP) is hosting their annual CLE event in Durham, NC on November 8, 2024 beginning at 8:00am. Email [email protected] and [email protected] to register. Please provide your full name, email address, phone number, and NC bar # (if applicable). Be sure to put “Military CLE Registration” in the subject line. Event Details are below: Location: NC Central University School of Law, 640 Nelson Street, Durham, NC 27707 CLE Venue: Moot Court Room (In person only event) Date/Time: November 8, 2024. 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 (Please arrive promptly for keynote address) Parking: NCCU Parking Deck, 705 Lawson St., Durham, NC 27707 (Short walk to law school) Refreshments: Canteen and complimentary coffee at ground floor of law school Lunch available at Student Union. Cost: There is no registration fee for this course.

FREE & CONFIDENTIAL CYBERSECURITY SELF-ASSESSMENT To coincide with National Cybersecurity Awareness month, we are pleased to announce the launch of the North Carolina State Bar's Cybersecurity Self-Assessment. This free self-assessment is designed to help lawyers and law firms evaluate and strengthen their cybersecurity protocols. The self-assessment is the result of the work of the State Bar’s Proactive Management Based Regulation (PMBR) initiative, which emphasizes high-quality client service, efficient law office management, and compliance with professional obligations. The confidential self-assessment is not shared with the State Bar. As an incentive for participating, all members who complete the self-assessment will receive 1 hour of CLE in technology training. We encourage all members to take advantage of this opportunity to enhance their cybersecurity awareness and compliance. Link to self-assessment: https://ncsb.avvy.pro/ Link to CLE 1-credit request form: https://lnkd.in/e6gmgpaP

The North Carolina State Bar is seeking a Managing Director of Continuing Legal Education. Purpose of the Job:?Supervise the daily assignments and activities of the staff of the CLE department in creating and maintaining the mandatory continuing legal education records and enforcing the mandatory continuing legal education requirements. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by October 25, 2024. Full job description is at: https://lnkd.in/egKxrsVd

October is cybersecurity awareness month and protecting sensitive client information is more important than ever.

***ATTENTION NORTH CAROLINA LAWYERS*** Significant changes to the Continuing Legal Education (CLE) rules became effective March 1, 2024. You can view details on these updates on the State Bar’s YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/eQgedG4Z or by visiting the North Carolina State Bar's website: ncbar.gov.

Plan today. This State Bar guide will assist lawyers in planning for an unexpected absence. https://lnkd.in/eTneZ4_U

BECOME A BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIALIST Board certification is an indication that the lawyer has intentionally focused his or her legal practice to improve the proficiency and quality of the lawyer's legal services and to stay current in the specialty field. A lawyer who is certified as a specialist by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization has satisfied a number of rigorous standards for certification in the lawyer's specialty field. Find your specialty today: https://lnkd.in/e8xtkh7J

During this difficult time, the State Bar stands in solidarity with all North Carolinians who have endured hardship. Our legal community has always come together in times of crisis, and we remain committed to aiding those in need. Below are some much-needed resources for both those seeking assistance and those willing to help. - Temporary rule amendment allowing lawyers not licensed in North Carolina to immediately begin providing pro bono legal services to indigent victims of Tropical Storm Helene. Information and forms at:?https://lnkd.in/e2CWUde7 - Additional information, including self-help materials about replacing lost documents, insurance claims, and more, can be found at:?https://lnkd.in/euc4mr7B - NC attorneys are encouraged to share their time, expertise, and charitable support for the disaster recovery effort. Lawyers can volunteer to help at:?https://lnkd.in/e3jR9v-H - Donations to the DLS Fund will help move volunteer legal resources into affected areas to assist with issues including FEMA claims and appeals, habitability, school displacement, estate planning, and consumer protection: https://lnkd.in/eZtmWFrM - More resources—including emotional and mental health assistance, courthouse closings, disaster planning and recovery guides, etc.—are available on the State Bar’s website: https://lnkd.in/eARpJSVA

ACCESS TO JUSTICE A department of the North Carolina State Bar, the North Carolina Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (NC IOLTA) partners with financial institutions across our state to maximize the number of lives we can positively impact with our funding. How it works: 1. NC IOLTA partners with financial institutions to secure the highest interest rates and lowest possible fees. 2. They then assist individual lawyers and law offices with establishing mandatory interest bearing IOLTA accounts to hold clients’ funds. 3. Those accounts earn interest, which financial institutions send to IOLTA, on a monthly basis. 4. IOLTA distributes funds to grantees who, in turn, provide legal advice and representation across our communities and all 100 North Carolina counties. Learn more at: https://www.nciolta.org/