Committees

The goals of the Bar and Foundation are accomplished through the work of established committees and sections.  Time spent volunteering on a Bar or Foundation board, committee, or section counts toward your responsibilities under Rule 6.1 of the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct.  See section (b)(2) and Comment 8 to Rule 6.1. Effective January 2024 attorneys may report their voluntary service to the North Carolina State Bar upon the certification of their CLE requirements. Effective January 2025 all voluntary hours will be reported directly to the North Carolina State Bar. The North Carolina Supreme Court recognizes those who provide 50+ hours of voluntary public service each year by inducting them into the North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society.

Committee volunteers serve up to three-year terms, which typically begin on July 1.  The deadline to submit interest forms for the upcoming year is May 31, as Bar staff and leadership generally begin the appointment process in June.

If you have any questions about a committee, the appointment process, or other ways to volunteer with the 26th JD Bar, MBA or Foundation, please contact GetInvolved@meckbar.org.

Committees

Click on each committee name to understand the member responsibilities and time commitments.

26th Judicial District Bar (26th JD Bar) Committees

Bar Leadership Institute (BLI) - Operates to fulfill the purpose of the BLI program, which encourages lawyers in the development of their professional and leadership skills within the Bar, Foundation and legal profession. A shared committee with the MBA and MBF.

Grievance - Receives and investigates complaints from the public on ethical matters and writes recommendations and submits written reports for committee discussion based on the NCSB Rules of Professional Conduct. Attorney members must have been licensed for at least five years. Several seats on the committee are open to non-attorney members.

Indigent Representation - Assists the Public Defender with the implementation of appointment regulations in Defender District 26, as approved by the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services.  Those regulations dictate membership and the various authorities for appointment to this Committee.

Judicial Nominating - Coordinates the balloting process of the 26th JD for choosing candidates to submit to the North Carolina governor in filling district court judge vacancies.

Memorials - Arranges and provides memorial services for deceased Bar members in open court when the families so desire. A shared committee with the MBA and MBF.

Nominating Committee - The Nominating Committee make up is defined by the organizational bylaws. The Committee Chair makes recommendations for this roster to ensure compliance with the bylaws and the final nominating committee roster is approved by the Executive Board.

Mecklenburg Bar Association (MBA) Committees

Communications - Develops the communication process among members of the MBA through publications, specifically the Mecklenburg Bar News. Committee members commit to writing one long form article per year.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) - Develops, implements, and oversees all CLE programs for the MBA in conformance with the rules of the NCSB CLE Board.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Examines the extent to which the MBA and legal entities have successfully incorporated lawyers from traditionally underrepresented groups in their organization. Provides recommendations for addressing matters related to diversity, equity and inclusion; proposes methods for measuring the success of efforts to address these issues; and implements programming for members, the community as well as pipelining opportunities.

The work of this committee is done in its subcommittees:

• Charlotte Legal Clerkship Program (CLCP) Subcommittee

• Mentorship Alliance Subcommittee

• Pipeline Subcommittee

Nominating Committee - The Nominating Committee make up is defined by the organizational bylaws. The Committee Chair makes recommendations for this roster to ensure compliance with the bylaws and the final nominating committee roster is approved by the Executive Committee.

Pro Bono & Legal Recruitment - Recruits legal volunteers and provides direct case placement for nonprofits and individuals who cannot afford representation and who are not served elsewhere; and recruits MBA members for pro bono opportunities with legal service organizations as requested.

Young Lawyers Division Committees

Members of the MBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) are welcome and encouraged to join one of the YLD Committees. Enrollment in these committees is ongoing and year-round. 

• YLD Community Service Committee and Legal Assistance Committee - Coordinates public service opportunities for YLD members, including meals for the needy, the Salvation Army Angel Tree, clothing drives, etc. and organizes projects which provide legal assistance to the citizens of Mecklenburg County and/or North Carolina as a whole.
   
• YLD Education Committee - Organizes activities that educate the Mecklenburg County community.
   
• YLD Membership Committee - Focuses on increasing YLD membership and ensuring that the YLD meets the needs of its members.  This committee works with staff on the new lawyer swearing-in ceremonies. 
   
• YLD Social Committee - Prepares quarterly socials for the YLD Members and provides other events and gatherings which promote the interests of YLD Members. 

Mecklenburg Bar Foundation (MBF) Committees

Ayscue Professionalism Award Committee - Selects the recipient of the Ayscue Professionalism Award - a current or former member of the 26th Judicial District Bar or Mecklenburg Bar Association - to recognize exemplary professionalism.  Presented during the Law & Society Gala.

Development Committee - The Mecklenburg Bar Foundation Development Committee develops and implements the financial development plan for the Foundation by utilizing the year-long Lawyers' Impact Fund campaign as its primary fundraising tool to support the administrative and operational costs of the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation and to provide grants to qualifying organizations that provide critical legal or community support to the citizens of Mecklenburg County.

McMillan Fellowship Committee - Selects and supports summer fellowships to law students interested in pursuing a career with nonprofit or government agencies in Mecklenburg County.  Coordinates annual McMillan Fellowship Fund Dinner, the primary source of financial support for the Fellowships.

Nominating Committee - The Nominating Committee make up is defined by the organizational bylaws. The Committee Chair makes recommendations for this roster to ensure compliance with the bylaws and the final nominating committee roster is approved by the Executive Committee.

Interested in serving on a 26th JD Bar/MBA/MBF Committee? Email getinvolved@meckbar.org for more information. Committee member recruitment for each fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) is held in the spring.