News

Ward Black Law Collects for Tools for Schools

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 10:54:52 -0700

During the month of August, Ward Black Law collected school supplies for Channel 2's Tools for School campaign. Not only did they promote the program and serve as a collection site, they donated supplies and money to the effort throughout the month.

The staff adopted two schools to try to meet as many of their requested needs as possible - Vandalia and Montlieu Elementary schools. Because these two schools are considered high risk schools, their needs are particularly numerous. In the average school, a teacher spends about $500 per year of her own money on just the necessary items just to conduct class. Ward Black Law was able to collect and purchase a van load of supplies for each school!

Additionally with the help on DMJ (Davenport, Marvin and Joyce, CPAs), who joined with us by placing several boxes in their building, we were able to deliver several large boxes of school supplies to the Teachers Supply Wearhouse in Guilford County. Teachers from all over the county are able to come to this site and pick up supplies for their classrooms at no charge. See the link below for Channel 2's story about this resource and hear what Janet Ward has to say.

http://www.digtriad.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=602108031001

Janet Ward Black Featured Speaker at Christians in the Marketplace Conference

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:42:27 -0700

Janet Ward Black is the featured speaker this year at the Christians in the Marketplace Conference to be held on Friday, September 10 at 7:00pm and Saturday, September 11 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Triad Christian Center at 4321 Barrow Road in High Point. The title of her speech on Friday night is "Fearless." On Saturday, she will speak at 1:00 pm on "Purchased with a Purpose."

Julius Koonce is the Marketplace Minister and Conference Host for the event which is in its second year. The theme of this conference is teaching Christians how to transition from being at a church service on Sunday morning to being a business person on Monday morning. They are teaching people how to excel in all things: work, integrity, punctuality, and respectability while being aware that Jesus is present at our work and in all things we do as Christians.

Topics include "To Have Vision, You Must Lose Your Sight," "Faith, Finance, Your Future," "Growing Your Business in a Declining Economy," and much more. Registration for the event is $49.95 and includes the conference, workshops, printed materials and two light meals. For more information call 336-841-7307 or 336-451-1603, email events@triadchristiancenter.org or register online at http://cimpconference2010.eventbrite.com/.

Janet Ward Black to Introduce the Women Presidents' Organization to Governor Perdue

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:56:54 -0700

Janet Ward Black, President of Ward Black Law, will introduce the Women Presidents' Organization to NC Governor Beverly Perdue at a luncheon at the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh on Tuesday, August 24. The 42-member group is made up of women business-owners from across the state whose businesses gross over a million dollars in revenue. The organization was invited to the exclusive luncheon with the governor to share their feelings about the current conditions for privately-held companies in North Carolina.

"WPO members from across the state are excited about the meeting with Governor Perdue to share our thoughts on NC business," said Lisa Pineiro, WPO member and North Carolina's Small Business Person of the Year. "As the owner of three businesses myself, I'm honored to have an opportunity to share my opinions with her."

The Women Presidents' Organization is an international organization of businesswomen who each own and run multimillion-dollar businesses. The group has over 1500 members across the world in over 82 active chapters. North Carolina has three chapters in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Greensboro. Among other activities, the members take part in professionally-facilitated peer advisory panels to cultivate their creativity and grow their businesses.

Tools for Schools Donation Site

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:02:09 -0700

While you are out shopping this month, why not pick up a few extra school supplies for Channel 2's Tools for School Drive? You can drop them off at Ward Black Law or any number of other collection points now through August 29.

In these tough economic times, the school systems have suffered drastic budget cuts as their respective counties have higher expenses and reduced tax revenues and have been forced to cut budgets to all departments. The trend to ask parents to supply basic classrooms needs has continued to grow and has become a financial burden to many households. Some families are unable to fulfill any of the requests as they face their own economic crises. In these cases, the burden falls to the teachers.Teachers in North Carolina typically spend $500 per school year for just the basic supplies that used to be purchased by the school systems. Teachers in at-risk schools are at an even greater disadvantage as they try to provide all the students equal opportunities. In many cases, the teacher must provide everything from paper to pencils to Kleenex and soap.

Help us to give every child a chance to learn and drop off your school supplies at Ward Black Law during regular business hours from 8:30 to 5:00 daily. Thank you for your help.

Payton Named Chair of Workers’ Compensation Section of the NCBA

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:10:51 -0700

At the state convention of the North Carolina Bar Association in June, S. Camille Payton was selected to chair the Workers' Compensation section of the North Carolina Bar Association. Payton, a shareholder of Ward Black Law in Greensboro, will head the organization of 685 lawyers from across the state.

As section chair, she will preside over meetings of the section council, which is the governing board of the section. Payton, who recently co-authored and published the Workers’ Compensation Forms Manual, will write a column for the quarterly newsletter, The Course and Scope.

“To serve as the leader of this group of talented lawyers is an honor,” said Payton, who has served on the council for six years. “I’m continually impressed with the camaraderie and information exchange that takes place between individuals who outside of this meeting are adversaries.”

Each year the Workers’ Compensation section plans educational programs for Bar Association members, helps mold the NC Bar Association's legislative agenda for presentation to the NC General Assembly, and publishes a quarterly newsletter for the membership. “The newsletter is just one of the ways that we … share the wealth,” Payton said. “We … know that by increasing the knowledge of our section members, we improve outcomes and improve our profession.”

The group also raises funds for the children of workers who were severely injured or killed on the job through an organization called Kids’ Chance of North Carolina. The group provides funds for these children between the ages of 16 and 25 to begin or continue their education at college or vocational school levels. This is to provide those students with educational opportunities that might otherwise have been postponed or interrupted as a result of the financial hardship caused by the death or serious injury of their parent. The monies are raised through various fundraisers including golf tournaments and silent auctions conducted by the Workers’ Compensation section.

The council is made up of Workers' Compensation practitioners who have several years of legal experience in the compensation area. It includes lawyers who represent employers or employees, mediators, and judges from the North Carolina Industrial Commission. The NC Industrial Commission is the state agency that administers Workers' Compensation cases.

Camille Payton has been practicing law since 1993. A native of Kinston, North Carolina, Payton graduated from UNC Chapel Hill for her undergraduate degree and completed her Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Texas before practicing law in Greensboro. Payton has extensive trial experience and is proud to take up the cause of people who need help dealing with large insurance companies or other corporations.

Janet Ward Black's 2010 Anniversaries: Miss North Carolina 1980 and 1985 Duke Law Graduation

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:17:34 -0700

GREENSBORO, NC - For Greensboro attorney Janet Ward Black, 2010 marks the anniversary of two important and remarkable events in her life. Thirty years ago in June, Black was named Miss North Carolina 1980, an amazing experience that connected her with people across the state. Five years later she received her law degree from Duke University.

"I knew at the time that these events would be absolutely life-shaping for me," Black said, "but little did I realize how these two experiences would come together in such a meaningful way."

Being named Miss North Carolina 1980 played a key role for Black as she considered her options for the future. "Ten thousand dollars in scholarship money was a really big deal for a girl pursuing her law degree," she said. "It meant I was on my way to school."

Aside from the money, Black claims the opportunity to travel across the state, conduct ribbon cuttings, participate in small-town parades and meet people from all walks of life was the real win. "I knew a lot about this state before becoming Miss North Carolina," she said, "but that year I came to appreciate the people and the culture like never before. I learned so much."

She took these lessons to Duke University School of Law, where she honed her craft and discovered her passion for helping people through the legal profession. After completing her degree in 1985, Black served as the first female Assistant District Attorney for Cabarrus and Rowan Counties (1985-1988). Today, Black is the Principal of Ward Black Law in Greensboro, NC, a personal injury and workers' compensation firm.

Black has not forgotten the lessons she learned as she travelled across the state in 1980. While president of the NC Bar Association in 2008, Black spearheaded the "4ALL Campaign," a statewide effort providing free legal advice to North Carolina citizens for a day. "There are so many people in our state who simply can't afford the justice they deserve," she said. "The 4ALL initiative gives attorneys an opportunity to stand in the gap, even if only for a day."

The first of its kind in North Carolina, the 2008 4ALL Campaign fielded more than 6,500 phone calls. The event has been an "annual rally" of sorts for attorneys statewide. In 2010, the third iteration of 4ALL added a dedicated Spanish call center. In three years the 4ALL initiative has enabled more than 20,100 North Carolinians to talk to a lawyer for free.

The North Carolina State Bar presented Black with the Distinguished Service Award in January, recognizing her exemplary service to the legal profession. She is also the 2010 recipient of Duke Law School's Charles S. Murphy Award, honoring a graduate's commitment to the common good through his or her work in public service or dedication to education.

"I feel incredibly blessed to have had these amazing opportunities," Black said. "I'm in a state I love doing work I love."

Ward Black Law is a personal injury and workers' compensation firm in Greensboro, NC. The firm employs more than 20 people and is active in the local and global community through service projects and mission outreaches. Ward Black Law can be found at: www.WardBlackLaw.com

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Janet Ward Black to Speak at the 71st annual Tar Heel Girls State on June 17

Thu, 06 May 2010 06:32:48 -0700

Janet Ward Black will be speaking at the 71st annual Tar Heel Girls State at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC for her 21st year on June 17. Black has been a consistent supporter of the group and has been asked back time and again.

Tar Heel Girls State brings together 300 rising high school senior girls from all over the state of North Carolina to the week-long workshop sponsored by the NC American Legion Auxiliary. North Carolina's program is the longest continuous running Girls State in the entire country, bringing together the most promising young women in the state to learn about and participate in the various forms of legislative government.

To learn more about the North Carolina program, go to their website at http://www.thgs.com/.

Ward Black Law Named Professional Advisor of the Year by Business Leader Magazine

Mon, 03 May 2010 10:53:29 -0700

Janet Ward Black will accept Business Leader Media’s Professional Advisor of the Year Award on behalf of Ward Black Law at the magazine’s Hall of Fame dinner at the Bryan Center in Greensboro, NC on May 3, 2010.

“It’s an honor to be named ‘Professional Advisor of the Year,’” Black said, “but I simply must pass along the credit to our exceptional team of attorneys and staff. I may get the conversation started, but these fine ladies and gentlemen do a marvelous job helping our clients understand and effectively engage the legal system.”

“Business Leader” award winners were chosen from more than 300 nominations of C-level executives. Also being honored at the event is Nido Qubein, president of High Point University and guest speaker of the event. Qubein will be receive the Legend of the Year award. Other recipients include:

• Business Leader of the Year – David Congden
• Company of the Year – Lab Corporation
• Tech Company of the Year – Tiger Controls
• Life Science and Health Care of the Year – Forsyth Medical Center
• Financial Institution of the Year – BB & T
• Professional Advisor of the Year –Ward Black Law and Janet Ward Black
• Corporate Volunteer of the Year – Lincoln Financial Foundation
• Human Capital of the Year – Taracept

In addition the to “Business Leader” award, Black has also recently received the NC State Bar’s Distinguished Service Award and the Charles S. Murphy Distinguished Alumni Award from Duke Law School, both acknowledging her exemplary service to the legal profession.

NCCADV to Hold Event to Raise Awareness of Domestic Violence

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 12:11:37 -0700

The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and WomensLaw.org Domestic Violence Pro Bono Alliance together with the Womble Carlyle Law Firm are hosting a after-hours wine social on May 10, 2010 from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm at the law firm in Winston-Salem. Janet Ward Black of Ward Black Law in Greensboro will be the guest speaker and will speak on the importance of doing pro bono work. Following her speach will be a showing of the short documentary, "Private Violence," which highlights some of the issues and attitudes towards domestic violence.

The public is invited to come learn more and support the efforts of the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Alliance. For reservations and ticket information contact Brenda Rivera at briverasanchez@nccadv.org or call 919-856-9124 x28.

Black to be Honored as Distinguished Graduate of Duke Law School

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:02:57 -0700

Duke Law School is holding Reunion ’10 the weekend of April 17 for all graduating classes ending in “0” and “5”. As part of the festivities, the Alumni Association will be recognizing several distinguished graduates, including Janet Ward Black, class of 1985.

Janet Ward Black, as one of the honorees, will be receiving the Charles S. Murphy Award for her “commitment to the common good through … her work in public service…thereby reflecting ideals exemplified in the life and career of the late Charles S. Murphy ... Mr. Murphy, who received an honorary (degree) from Duke Law School in 1967, was a devoted public servant who held positions in the administrations of Presidents Truman, Kennedy, and Johnson”.

Janet Ward Black received the NC State Bar’s Distinguished Service Award on January 21, 2010, acknowledging her exemplary service to the legal profession. During her term as president of the NC Bar Association, Black created the “4ALL” campaign, which supports the provision of free legal services for those in need. One aspect of the campaign created the first state-wide “Ask a Lawyer” Day in North Carolina in 2008. In its first year, more than 1000 North Carolina lawyer volunteers answered toll-free telephone lines and gave legal advice for free to citizens across the state who called. This volunteer effort was the largest in the NCBA’s 108 year history. More than 6500 North Carolinians received free legal help that day. The 4ALL program was so successful in North Carolina that it has been replicated in other states, as well as two provinces in Canada.

Black was the fourth woman president of the 16,000 member NC Bar Association since its inception in 1899. She also was the third woman president of the 4,000 member NC Trial Lawyers Association. She is only the second lawyer in history to serve as president of both organizations.

Black is a frequent lawyer educator and motivational speaker. She is a Trustee Emeritus of Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury and has served on many non-profit boards, including the Presbyterian Counseling Center and the Women’s Resource Center of Greensboro. She has served on more than ten international mission trips with Mercy Mission Teams, Habitat for Humanity and, most recently, International Cooperating Ministries, to India and China. www.icm.org.

For more information, from the Duke Law School about Janet Ward Black and the award, click here.

State High School Mock Trial Championship Held March 20 in Raleigh

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:54:55 -0700

From a field of 70 teams, narrowed down to 10 State Finalists, only one could be State Champion. On Saturday, March 20, Gray Stone Day battled it out with Raleigh Charter (Silver) in the final championship round at Campbell University School of Law. Gray Stone Day prevailed and will now prepare the prosecution and defense of a new case for the National High School Mock Trial Championship competition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 6-9, 2010.

Many thanks to the distinguished panel members who presided over the final championship round on Saturday, 3/20. Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson presided and scoring jurors included: David Pishko, Dean Melissa Essary, Janet Ward Black, Representative Rick Glazier and David Rudolf. Campbell Law School was a wonderful venue to hold the State Final Competition and they were gracious hosts. Our special thanks, also, to Rudolf, Widenhouse & Fialko for sponsoring the State Final Competition.

A special thanks as well to our volunteers serving as presiding judges and scoring jurors and to those who spent the day with us as site volunteers!

4ALL Statewide Service Day Is Huge Success

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:45:43 -0800

With the flip of a switch at 7 a.m. on Friday morning, March 5, phone lines across the state began to buzz as the North Carolina Bar Association’s third annual 4ALL Statewide Service Day was up and running.

Twelve hours later, when the final nugget of legal information was passed along at no cost from a North Carolina lawyer to a grateful citizen of this state, another enormously successful public service event was in the books.

The record books, that is.

Operating from seven call centers stretching from the mountains to the coast, volunteer attorneys fielded 8,467 calls, eclipsing the previous mark by a considerable margin.

Of course, in the end, it’s not about the numbers, it’s about helping the people of North Carolina, who continue to make this event the worthwhile success that it has become by taking advantage of the opportunity to have their legal questions answered for free.

“This year was much faster paced for some reason – shorter questions which often required shorter answers meaning a higher volume,” stated volunteer attorney Nan Hannah of Raleigh. “The calls were more varied, with the usual concentration on Family and Criminal Law issues.

“Every person I spoke with expressed gratitude and genuine appreciation for our offering this service.”

In addition to issues normally addressed, this call center also received a number of weather-related questions brought about by one of the harshest winters on record in western North Carolina.

”While many calls dealt with the economic problems (mortgage foreclosure, credit card debt, and taxes),” Robertson added, “we saw a lot of questions about who was responsible for the damage and clean up from the trees that had fallen from the neighbor’s property during the winter snow and ice storms.

“Attorneys from Franklin, Hendersonville, Boone, Black Mountain and Asheville staffed the phones in the western area call center. My sincere thanks go out to the volunteers for making the Asheville 2010 4ALL call center at WLOS a great success!”

It takes an army of volunteers to make it happen, from the attorneys who field the calls to the paralegals, law students and legal aid attorneys who provide support throughout the day. NCBA staff and employees of the call centers also play pivotal roles in bringing this event to fruition.

Jon Heyl and Kim Sieredzki served as co-chairs of the 4ALL Task Force and the Participate Working Group for 2009-10. Leading the way on behalf of the NCBA staff were Michelle Cofield, director of public service and pro bono activities who serves as staff liaison to the 4ALL Task Force, her administrative assistant, Kathy Jefferson, and Tom Purdy, IT director who coordinated technical issues and communication procedures with each of the seven call centers.

Here’s a breakdown of each of the seven call centers, including the names of call center chairs and associate chairs, along with those of key individuals who represented each of the call centers.

ASHEVILLE:
Western North Carolina and the Asheville area were served for the third year by WLOS News 13 in Asheville, with Sharon Robertson serving as the call center chair for the 4ALL Task Force. Providing support from WLOS were Jack Connors, Rollin Tompkins and Chris Blann. A total of 40 volunteers handled 811 calls utilizing eight phone lines.

CARY:
The first 4ALL Spanish-language call center was hosted by ACS, Inc. of Cary, marking the second time ACS has hosted a call center. Milan Pham served as call center chair. Jay Hinckley and Debbie Smith led a team of ACS staff members that included Brian Gould who supported this call center, which utilized 30 volunteers in fielding 301 calls on 10 phone lines.

CHARLOTTE:
Charlotte/Mecklenburg and surrounding counties were served for the third year by WBTV News 3 in Charlotte. Amy Bokor served as the call center chair with support from associate chairs Trey Lindley and Danny Merlin. Shelly Hill Crawford, Don Shaw, Mike Guthrie, Alex Helms and Amanda Rick provided support on behalf of WBTV. A total of 69 volunteers handled 1,425 calls utilizing 15 phone lines.

GREENSBORO:
Greensboro and the Triad area were served for the third year by WFMY News 2 in Greensboro, The Volunteer Center of Greensboro and United Way of Greater Greensboro. Parrish Lentz served as site chair with support from associate chairs Scott Adams and Stephanie Roberts. Host support for this site was provided by Hollie Rose and DeRee Burt of The Volunteer Center, Deborah Hooper of WFMY, and Robin Robertson and Lana Davidson of United Way. A total of 104 volunteers were used in fielding 2,190 calls with 22 phone lines.

GREENVILLE:
Eastern North Carolina was served for the first time by WNCT-TV 9 in Greenville, a welcome addition to the 4ALL family of call center hosts. Mary Charles Wall served as the call center chair while Vickie Jones provided lead support for WNCT. A total of 1,019 calls were fielded by 38 volunteers using 10 phone lines.

RALEIGH:
Raleigh and the Triangle area were served for the second year by WRAL-TV 5 in Raleigh. Jason Pfister served as the call center chair while Monica Laliberte, Jeff Ritchie, Paulie Saville, Loretta Harper-Arnold and Lori Lair provided support on behalf of WRAL. A total of 1,933 calls were fielded by 108 volunteers utilizing up to 23 phone lines.

WILMINGTON:
Wilmington and Southeastern North Carolina were served for the third year by the Wilmington offices of the Williams Mullen law firm, with WWAY-TV 3 providing promotional support throughout the day. Ryan Rhodenhiser served as the call center chair. Providing support on behalf of Williams Mullen were Mike Gray, Ken Shaw and James Williams, with Andy Combs and Carolyn Candebat leading WWAY’s efforts. The call center’s 35 volunteers fielded 788 calls utilizing nine phone lines.

One new wrinkle for this year’s 4ALL Statewide Service Day involved additional recognition for each of the call center hosts, not only for this year but for the previous two years as well. Each of the aforementioned site hosts received a plaque for each year they have provided support for this worthwhile endeavor.

Ward Black Law Sponsors Habitat Trip to Honduras

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:16:04 -0800

For the third time, Ward Black Law is sponsoring several individuals on a building trip for Habitat for Humanity in Honduras. This year the building team will be going to the port city of La Cieba, the third largest city in Honduras with a population of 170,000. Because bananas are the primary crop of Honduras, it makes since that the headquarters for Standard Fruit Company, a subsidiary of Dole Food Company, is headquartered here. The port itself brings jobs to the area. Recently, the tourist business has begun to be an important factor in the ecomony as tourists from around the world flock to nearby Roatan to enjoy the warm Caribbean beaches.

Unfortunately, Honduras remains one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. A lack of natural resources, a lack of farmable land and a minimal internal need for products keeps the country in poverty. For this reason, Habitat for Humanity has had a strong interest in Honduras and has targeted the country's poor for decent housing.

Senate Finance Committee Issues Report Questioning FDA's Role in Protecting Patients in Avandia Study

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:13:44 -0800

Janet Ward Black Receives NC State Bar Distinguished Service Award

Sat, 23 Jan 2010 07:36:39 -0800

Contact: Ronda Holloway, Firm Administrator
Tel: 336.333.2244
Email: rholloway@wardblacklaw.com

GREENSBORO, NC - Greensboro attorney and former president of the NC Bar Association Janet Ward Black received the NC State Bar's Distinguished Service Award on January 21, 2010, acknowledging her exemplary service to the legal profession.

Nominees were selected by their peers and evaluated on their commitment to principles and goals stated in the preamble to the Bar's Rules of Professional Conduct. Some of the criteria for consideration include:

- the extension of the public's understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the legal profession,

- the devotion of professional time and resources to provide civic leadership to ensure equal access to our system of justice.

During her term as president of the NC Bar Association, Black created the "4ALL" campaign, which supports the provision of free legal services for those in need. One aspect of the campaign created the first state-wide "Ask a Lawyer" Day in North Carolina in 2008. In its first year, more than 1,000 North Carolina lawyer volunteers answered toll-free calls and gave legal advice for free to citizens across the state who called. This volunteer effort was the largest in the NCBA's 108 year history. More than 6,500 North Carolinians received free legal help that day.

The 4ALL program was so successful in North Carolina that it has been replicated in other states, as well as two provinces in Canada.

Black is a frequent lawyer educator and motivational speaker. She is a Trustee Emeritus of Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury and has served on many non-profit boards, including the Presbyterian Counseling Center and the Women's Resource Center of Greensboro. She has served on more than ten international mission trips with Mercy Mission Teams, Habitat for Humanity and, most recently, International Cooperating Ministries, to India and China. www.icm.org. Black is a graduate of Davidson College and Duke Law School.

The staff of Ward Black Law, a personal injury and workers' compensation law firm in Greensboro, NC, are also very active in community service. www.WardBlackLaw.com

Friday, March 5, 2010, will be the third annual "Ask a Lawyer" Day in North Carolina during which North Carolinians can call a toll-free number and speak to a volunteer lawyer anonymously and for free. For more information, go to www.4allnc.org or www.ncbar.org.

Next Ask An Attorney Day to be Held 03/05/10

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 10:23:00 -0800

The third annual "Ask an Attorney Day" will be held March 5 this year (03/05/10). As in the past, there are toll free numbers available all day that will connect callers to assistance centers across the state. Callers may call in with any legal questions they may have. The calls are anonymous. The day is sponsored by the North Carolina Bar Association and is manned by attorneys, paralegals and law students from across the state. Look here for more information as the day approaches.

The toll free number for the Greensboro on the 5th will be 1-866-529-2204.

Janet Ward Black Named to Legal Elite 2010 by Business North Carolina Magazine

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:51:32 -0800

Janet Ward Black, Principal of Ward Black Law and former President of the North Carolina Bar Association, has been named to Business North Carolina magazine’s 2010 Legal Elite. This honor places Black among the top three percent of lawyers in the state.

Winners of the Legal Elite are selected by their peers using a statewide ballot. Each year Business North Carolina mails ballots to every member of the State Bar living in NC (more than 19,000 members), asking them a simple question: Of the Tar Heel lawyers whose work you have observed firsthand, whom would you rate among the current best in these categories? To learn more about the selection process, visit the BNC Legal Elite website: http://www.BusinessNC.com/LegalElite.

“I consider it a tremendous honor and privilege to be named to the North Carolina Legal Elite,” Black said. “This state has an outstanding pool of legal talent, and I’m absolutely delighted to be chosen by my peers to stand alongside these men and women who are committed to delivering excellence for their clients. They’re doing a remarkable job for both our state and our profession.”

As former president of the NC Bar Association, Black spearheaded the 4ALL campaign, an ongoing effort by the NCBA that endeavors to provide legal services to the poor across North Carolina. More information about the 4ALL campaign is available on the NCBA website: http://www.businessnc.com/LegalElite.

In addition to Business North Carolina’s Legal Elite, Black has also been named to Super Lawyers 2010.

Ward Black Law to Sponsor Restoration Runway, a Fundraiser for Restoration Place Ministries on 3/18/2010

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:02:24 -0800

On March 18, 2010, Restoration Place Ministries will present its first annual fashion show event, Restoration Runway, to raise monies for the provision of affordable, long-term counseling opportunities to hurting ang broken women of the Greensboro area. The event will be held at the Greensboro Country Club from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and will include the runway fashion show, vendor booths, heavy hors d'oeuvres, and raffle prizes. Ward Black Law is proud to be a supporter of this program as a Bronze sponsor.

Established in 2005 and born out of founder Cindy Mondello's passion for walking with women on a path of restoration through individual counseling and support services, their mission is two fold: First, to provide significantly lower-cost counseling services to women who would otherwise be unable to afford the help they need and to provide biblically-based counseling for women fuffering from depression and other related mental health issues. Such issues are anxiety disorders, eating disorders, self-image issues, addiction and abuse.

For more information about the event and the work of Restoration Place Ministries go to http://www.restorationplaceministries.org/ or contact Cindy Mondello at cindy@restorationplaceministries.org or call 336-508-8573.

Ward Black Law to Sponsor "Standing for a World of Change, Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Greensboro Sit-Ins" on 01/30/2010

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:27:36 -0800

Ward Black Law is proud to be a sponsor of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Greensboro Sit-Ins that took place at the Woolworth's lunch counter on February 1st, 1960, by purchasing a table at the Standing for a World of Change Gala to be held at the Koury Convention Center on January 30, 2010. The Gala will precede the official opening on February 1, 2010, of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in the old Woolworth's building in Downtown Greensboro.

The reception and dinner will be hosted by Dr. Nido R. Qubein, Chair of the 50th Anniversary Gala and President of High Point University, Melvin "Skip" Alston, Co-Founder and Chair on the Board of Directors and Greensboro City Councilman and Earl Jones, Co-Founder and Vice-Chair of the Board and former City Councilman. The dinner will honor the 2010 Hall of Fame inductee Julian Bond, who besides being known as an active participant in the civil rights movement, is now serving as Chairman of the NAACP and is the Founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) of the NAACP.

For more information on the other events of the opening weekend, go to the official website for the 50th Anniversary at http://www.sitinmovement.org/.

Art Show to Benefit Women's Professional Forum Foundation on 2/25/2010

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:46:27 -0800

The Women’s Professional Forum (WPF), in conjunction with skirt! Magazine/Greensboro, will host an Art Exhibit and Sale featuring Guilford County women artists on February 25, 2010 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM at Marshall Art Gallery at the Village at North Elm in Greensboro. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Women’s Professional Forum Foundation, which makes annual grants to organizations with programs that further its mission of “Nurturing Girls to Be Tomorrow’s Leaders.”

The second annual event, Artista: Women’s Art Benefiting Girls, is designed to showcase and support women artists as it raises money for the WPF Foundation endowment. “Artista helps women artists today and will help young women for years to come,” said Melanie Tuttle, president of Women’s Professional Forum Foundation. “At the same time, it enriches the lives of the men and women who attend Artista and purchase the art they love.” According to Artista chair Nancy Radtke, the artwork for sale will include paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, sculpture and other art forms.

A $35 ticket includes access to the show of the best local female artists, as well as wine, hors d’oeuvres, and door prizes. Two employees of Ward Black Law, Jan Green and Krystal Fullwood, are participating artists in the show and sale. Advance tickets are available at greensboroskirt.com and by emailing carol4wpf@aol.com. Tickets at the door are $40. Artists who wish to participate need to register at www.wpforum.org by January 15. Details about the Call for Artwork can be found by clicking the Artista logo on the WPF homepage.

In addition to Marshall Art Gallery and skirt!Magazine/Greensboro, Artista 2010 sponsors include Ward Black Law, Heart of Living Home Gallery, Quality Printing and Painted Plate Catering. Other companies and individuals desiring to sponsor Artista are invited to contact Denny Kelly at 336.275.7000 or DKelly@BouvierKelly.com.