Greetings Privacy and Data Security Section members, and welcome to the 2020-2021 bar year! It is my honor and privilege to serve as Chair this year, and I am looking forward to working with an amazing and highly invested group of council members, committee co-chairs, and NCBA staff. I’m also very excited about this year’s top-notch programming, activities, blog content, and other valuable benefits our Section provides our members.
While this year may look a little different in light of the unique challenges that we are all navigating during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Section leadership is committed to providing the same excellent CLE programming, social and professional benefits, and practical tips and discussions with colleagues in this evolving area of law.
Below is an update on the Section’s activities this year and some opportunities for members to get involved in the Section’s work.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Securityhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngSecurity2020-08-20 16:55:122020-08-20 16:55:12A Message from the Chair of the NCBA Privacy and Data Security Section
As of January 1, 2020, all general contractors holding a building, residential or unclassified contractor license classification are required to have one of their qualifiers complete eight hours of continuing education on an annual basis in order to renew their license. The continuing education requirement for each new year begins on January 1 and must be completed by November 30. However, the qualifier has a 90-day grace period past November 30 to complete their full eight hours. The failure of a qualifier to complete continuing education requirements before the expiration of the 90-day grace period will result in the invalidation of the contractor entity’s license until continuing education and other licensing requirements have been met.
I am excited to have the privilege of serving as Chair of the Bankruptcy Section during this new North Carolina Bar Association year. A second-generation member of this Section, I have long admired the contributions this Section has made to the practice of bankruptcy law in this state. Many of you have served as role models for me, teaching me strong client advocacy and complex problem solving, while practicing the highest standards of integrity and collegiality. We will continue to promote these high standards among our Section this year.
These are challenging times we face. The Section will have to do things differently this year. But your Section council and committee chairs are ready for these challenges. We already are discussing ways the Section can meet your needs and elevate the profession.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00Bankruptcyhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngBankruptcy2020-08-18 15:13:112020-08-18 15:40:56A Letter from the Chair
I hope that this message finds you and yours safe and well.
Thank you for your membership in the NCBA’s Corporate Counsel Section—and also for the opportunity to serve as your Section Chair for the 2020-21 bar year.
While COVID-19 will no doubt present several challenges for our Section this year, I am honored to work alongside an exceptional team of council and committee chairs and members. Together with the NCBA’s dedicated staff, we pledge to continue providing first-rate programs and resources that will be valuable to you and your organizations.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00CorporateCounselhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngCorporateCounsel2020-08-17 15:58:452020-08-17 15:59:10Greetings and Welcome to the 2020-21 Bar Year
As most of you are painfully aware, it doesn’t appear that the coronavirus or the statewide coronavirus restrictions we have been living with since March are going away anytime soon.
Just this week, Gov. Cooper announced a new Executive Order to limit alcohol sales at restaurants after 11 p.m. Although it received much less media attention, this week also included a new Order from Chief JusticeBeasley extending Emergency Directives 2-8 until August 28.
The new order simply extends current restrictions, but as a refresher, practitioners may expect the following modifications to court operations:
The Young Lawyers Division of the North Carolina Bar Association is routinely recognized by their peers—the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association—as an exemplary organization for young lawyers.
Historically, the most common form of recognition has been through the ABA YLD Awards of Achievement. Despite the challenges and restrictions of COVID-19, the NCBA YLD has once again received commendation from ABA YLD for outstanding efforts in 2019-20.
NCBA YLD will receive Awards of Achievement in two categories:
I write to provide a few updates and red flags regarding plans for the upcoming school year in light of ongoing coronavirus spikes.
These updates are directly relevant to any education clients you currently have in your offices, and also to any other clients who may have school-aged children in the home.
Gov. Cooper has announced that the default plan for schools will be “Plan B,” which requires a hybrid in-person/remote plan to be created locally. This plan will enable districts and charter schools to operate at no more than 50% capacity whenever in-person instruction occurs.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00JuvenileJusticehttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngJuvenileJustice2020-07-16 12:14:492020-08-12 17:22:10Education Decisions in the Wake of COVID-19
The practice of workers’ compensation law in North Carolina continues to adapt to the challenges we all face associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic. Currently, the North Carolina Industrial Commission is primarily holding hearings via video conference on the WebEx platform. In certain limited matters, in person hearings are taking place when ordered by the Deputy Commissioner presiding over the hearing. Recently, the NCIC published Guidelines for In-Person Hearings during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
These guidelines are intended to give practitioners, parties and witnesses to an In-Person NCIC hearing precautions that should be taken during the hearing, including the utilization of face masks and other sanitary measures. It also addresses when individuals should not come to a hearing, such as if they have symptoms associated with COVID-19, confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 or contact with individuals known to have been diagnosed with COVID-19. If you have a matter that is going to be heard in person, be sure to review the guidelines to enable to the hearing to proceed as safely as possible for all involved.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00WorkersComphttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngWorkersComp2020-07-08 14:32:062020-08-12 17:15:16NCIC Guidelines for Hearings during the COVID-19 Pandemic
On Thursday, May 28, 2020, the NCBA Workers’ Compensation Section hosted an informal discussion regarding the use of the Zoom videoconference platform in the mediation environment. Ketan Soni, partner with Soni Brendle, PLLC in Charlotte, presented on the general use of Zoom, provided tips on how to adjust your settings to most effectively use the platform and offered guidance on how to be successful during the mediation process. It was a jam-packed presentation and should be useful to our practices as we grow more accustomed to using video conferences daily!
You can view another helpful video that Ketan recorded here. In this video, Ketan further highlights the tips he covered in his presentation.
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00WorkersComphttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngWorkersComp2020-07-01 11:14:022020-08-12 16:33:11Ketan Soni Gives Presentation On "Zoom Mediations and Practice Tips"
Art MacCord is a patent attorney with 40 years of experience. He keeps an eye on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the U.S. Copyright Office for new rules and practice tips of interest to intellectual property attorneys. Find his latest updates here:
NCBA IPL Section Blog News Blasts For June 30, 2020
https://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.png00IntellectualPropertyhttps://ncbarblogprod.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Blog-Header-1-1030x530.pngIntellectualProperty2020-06-30 12:58:592020-06-30 12:58:59MacCord’s List: IP News & Notices From Art MacCord
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By Art MacCord