News
Doris Phillips Loomis Recognized for 25 Years as Board Certified Specialist
Attorney Doris Phillips Loomis was recently recognized by the North Carolina State Bar for 25 years of being a board certified specialist in estate planning and probate law. Loomis who joined McGuire, Wood & Bissette in 1981 concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning and probate law. She received her B.S. from Davidson College and her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law.
Board certification is a notable accomplishment. Within the North Carolina legal community, board certification means that a lawyer has substantial, relevant experience in a select field of law as well as demonstrated, and tested, proficiency in that practice area.
Of the more than 25,000 active licensed attorneys in North Carolina only 864 are board certified. Board certified lawyers earn the right to represent themselves publicly as specialists in select areas of law. In fact, they are the only attorneys allowed by the North Carolina State Bar to do so. This designation sets them apart as being lawyers with a public commitment to excellence in their area of law. The process is voluntary and can only take place after an attorney has been in practice for five years, with significant practice experience in the specialty area. Board certification requires an ongoing commitment to the specialty area, which must be verified every five years with references from peers in that field. It also requires additional annual continuing legal education courses so that specialists stay abreast of current trends in law.
When the program began in 1987, three areas of certification were offered: bankruptcy law, estate planning and probate law, and real property law (commercial and/or residential). Doris Phillips Loomis became board certified in 1988 and has maintained the certification for the last 25 years.
The lawyers who supported the program in the early days have enjoyed watching the program succeed and expand, adding seven new specialty areas: appellate practice, criminal law (including juvenile delinquency subspecialty) elder law, family, immigration, social security disability, workers’ compensation and new for 2013—trademark law. Lawyers certified in each of these specialty areas are proud of their accomplishment and of the program as a whole. For more information about the North Carolina Legal Specialization program, and to view a list of board certified legal specialists by practice area, please visit the Legal Specialization website at www.nclawspecialists.gov or call the State Bar at 919.828.4620.
Attorney Emily Nenni Named to Board of Directors
Emily Nenni has been named to the Board of Directors of The Haven, a temporary emergency shelter for homeless families and individuals in Transylvania County. Nenni will serve on the board’s Finance Committee for a four year term.
Attorneys Emily Nenni and Doug Tate Recieve 28th Judicial District Bar Pro Bono Service Awards
Attorneys Emily L. Nenni and Douglas J. Tate were honored with Pro Bono Service Awards at the 28th Judicial District Bar luncheon on April 10.
Each year Pisgah Legal Services and the 28th Judicial District Bar give Pro Bono Service Awards to attorneys from the local bar that have demonstrated exemplary commitment to pro bono service to those in need in Western North Carolina. Nenni and Tate are also nominated by Pisgah Legal Services and the 28th Judicial District Bar for statewide pro bono awards given by the North Carolina Bar Association.
Harris Livingstain to Present "The Nuts, Bolts and Tools of Building an Estate Plan" at April 1 Asheville Jewish Business Forum Meeting
Attorney Harris M. Livingstain will be the featured speaker at the upcoming monthly meeting of the Asheville Jewish Business Forum on Monday, April 1, 5:30 - 7:00 pm at The Pulp, located below The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Avenue. Livingstain will discuss estate planning as well as other legal issues facing small business owners.
The monthly meetings provide many networking opportunities for business owners in the Jewish Community. It also is a great resource for newcomers to Asheville and Western North Carolina to mingle with these business owners. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for guests. A meal is provided. For additional information and to RSVP, call Brad Morris at 828-279-1099 or visit the Asheville Jewish Business Forum website.
Tom Grella Featured in New York State Bar News for Annual Meeting Program Participation
Tom Grella is featured in a story in the latest edition of New York State Bar News for his participation in an Annual Meeting panel discussion, "The Trouble with Larry: Dealing with a Problem Partner," on January 24, 2013. Grella and other panelists offered guidance to law firms on handling struggling or impaired attorneys. You can download the full article by Amy Travison Jasiewicz in pdf format.
