Five graduates of Elon University School of Law were among 16 attorneys selected for the North Carolina Bar Association's Leadership Academy, a program designed to "help young lawyers become more effective leaders in their communities."
A prestigious North Carolina Bar Association program that prepares young lawyers for leadership roles in the profession and their communities has welcomed five Elon Law alumni into its Class of 2018.
The Leadership Academy aims to increase personal self-awareness, inspire confidence, enhance communication and team performance, and assist participants in creating a "clear and compelling vision."
It also intends for the 16 participants to improve their ability to influence others and utilize leadership skills to "make a difference." Attorneys meet five times over the spring and early summer at the North Carolina Bar Center in Cary for a day of leadership development, and the program culminates with recognition at an NCBA awards dinner at the organization's annual meeting in June.
Joy Ruhmann and Level Up Leadership are providing training. Elon Law alumni taking part are:
Tiffany Atkins L'11
Legal Method & Communication Fellow, Elon University School of Law
"I have committed most of my adult life to acquiring leadership skills and being a leader in my community. So when Nikki Feliciano, a friend from Elon Law and another graduate of the Leadership Academy, encouraged me to apply, it felt like the perfect opportunity. Over the next four months, I hope to be challenged and learn more about myself as a leader, while meeting other like-minded young professionals with the same goal. Leadership for me is an ongoing pursuit."
Melissa Duncan '06 L'09
Assistant Dean for Career and Student Development, Elon University School of Law
"I sought this opportunity because I see my role at Elon Law as an opportunity to be a role model for students as a 'lawyer-leader' while helping to bridge the current legal profession and the future of the profession – our students. The Leadership Academy will also allow me to better serve my team in the Office of Career & Student Development and the legal community by developing enhanced leadership skills."
Nicole Patino L'15
Associate Attorney with the Law Offices of Fred T. Hamlet in Wilmington, N.C., and Greensboro, N.C.
"I applied to the NCBA Leadership Academy after reviewing the transcript of a deposition I had recently conducted and realizing that I had 'gone on the record' by telling the witness I was having fun while taking his deposition. I love being an attorney. I love interacting with clients, other attorneys, judges, witnesses, law students, and I love doing my job. I hope that the NCBA Leadership Academy will allow me to identify opportunities to promote passion for the practice of law, from showing clients that we are excited to advocate for them, to encouraging students to enter to field, to lifting up those who are currently practicing."
Courtney Roller L'13
Attorney with Roller Law in Thomasville, N.C.
"As a small town family lawyer with a solo practice, I have found that opportunities for leadership training and professional development are few and far between. Being selected as a member of the 2018 NCBA leadership academy is a true honor and a great chance for me to grow personally and professionally. I hope to leave the academy with an improved ability to develop engaging and productive relationships with my clients, staff and colleagues."
Grant Sigmon L'11
Attorney with Sigmon Klein, PLLC in Greensboro, N.C.
"I applied for the 2018 Leadership Academy to enhance my leadership and communication skills. I want to improve my self-awareness by becoming a better listener and sharpening my critical thinking abilities. I believe that working with such a close-knit group of bright young attorneys through this interactive program will not only make me a better attorney but, more importantly, a better person."
The full NCBA Leadership Academy Class of 2018
- Andrew Atkins │Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan │Raleigh
- Tiffany Atkins │Elon University School of Law │Whitsett
- Jaimee Bullock │Greene Wilson Attorneys at Law │New Bern
- Melissa Duncan │Elon University School of Law │Greensboro
- Murphy Fletcher │McGuire, Wood & Bissette │Asheville
- Blakely Hildebrand │Southern Environmental Law Center │Durham
- Jeff Kelly │Shanahan McDougal │Raleigh
- Rachel Matesic │Marrellino & Tyson │Charlotte
- Michael Parrish │Ward and Smith │New Bern
- Nicole Patino │Law Offices of Fred Hamlet │Greensboro
- Don Pender │U.S. Attorney’s Office │Garner
- Eleanor Redhage │Battle, Winslow, Scott & Wiley │Rocky Mount
- Keith Richardson │Forrest Firm │Raleigh
- Courtney Roller │Roller Law │Thomasville
- Grant Sigmon │Sigmon Klein │Greensboro
- Ben Winikoff │Elliot, Morgan, Parsonage │Winston-Salem