Michael T. Marshall and Karen McKeithen Schaede receive Elon Law’s first Leadership in the Law Award

On Oct. 14, law school dean George R. Johnson, Jr. announced that Greensboro attorneys Mike Marshall and Karen McKeithen Schaede are the recipients of Elon University School of Law's 2011 Leadership in the Law Award. The award recognizes lawyers who make outstanding contributions to the profession and to society.

Michael T. Marshall and Karen McKeithen Schaede, left, recipients of Elon Law’s first Leadership in the Law Award, with law school dean George R. Johnson, Jr.

Marshall and Schaede were selected for the award in recognition of their service as preceptors at Elon Law. Each year more than 50 experienced lawyers from a broad range of practice settings mentor law students through the preceptor program. Marshal and Schaede are among the founding attorneys to serve as preceptors. They have participated in the program for six consecutive years.

“Mike Marshall and Karen McKeithen Schaede are setting a standard of excellence for the role of lawyers as mentors and advisers to Elon law students,” said Johnson, Dean and Professor of Law at Elon. “We are extremely fortunate to have the benefit of Mike and Karen’s wisdom, support, and involvement.”

Several law students who have benefited from the guidance of Marshall and Schaede through the preceptor program offered the following comments:

“Karen was just what I needed to make the adjustment to law school. Not only was she was there for me when I had questions about classes or law school in general, but she was great at inquiring about my career goals and giving suggestions on how to meet those goals.”
Samantha J. Gilman ‘11

“Mike has always been a great source of wisdom and his eagerness to share his experience is invaluable to those students he has mentored.”
Robert J. Webster ‘13

“Karen brings an innovative perspective to the practice of law. Her career path sets an excellent example of how hard work and determination can allow one to thrive in doing what they love. She has implanted legal and business knowledge in me that I plan on using through out my legal career.”
C. Lucas Beal ‘11

“I feel very lucky to have had Mike as my preceptor in my first year of law school. He did an exceptional job of making our preceptor group feel welcomed as student members of the legal community, while also providing us with valuable legal learning opportunities throughout the year. I feel very privileged to have had Mike’s guidance, and I congratulate him on such a wonderful honor.”
Ashley Poling ‘13

“Karen made herself accessible and answered all of my questions about school, being a lawyer, and having a healthy work/life balance. As we got to know each other better, she learned I didn’t have much law firm experience, so she invited me to intern in her office a few hours each week. That small opportunity made a big impression – it helped me apply what I was learning in the classroom to the real world. My relationship with Karen did not end at the conclusion of my first year. She continued to keep in touch with me throughout law school. Karen’s involvement in the Elon Law community inspires me to give my time and energy to upcoming legal professionals.”
Jennifer Edwards Hoverstad ‘11

About Michael T. Marshall

Michael T. Marshall manages The Marshall Law Firm, P.A. in Greensboro, N.C., which engages in the general civil practice of law. He has been an active member of the Nat Greene Kiwanis Club since 1977. He served on the original board and was legal counsel for the Make A Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina.

With great interest in the sport of lacrosse, Marshall started the varsity lacrosse program at Grimsley High School, Greensboro, N.C., in 1997. He is a past president of Temple Emanuel and served on the Board of Trustees and in various leadership positions for 17 years.

Marshall has served the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro on the Distribution Committee, as chair of the Professional Advisors’ Committee, chair of the Finance Committee, and as 2006 Treasurer of the Foundation. He has been chairman of the Sternberger Educational Fund and was a member of the 2004-05 charter class of the Greensboro Bicentennial Mosaic Partnership, to promote diversity, understanding and harmony.

In the fall of 2006, with the opening of Elon Law in Greensboro, Marshall served as a founding member of the Preceptor Program to mentor first year law students. He continues to mentor and counsel law students through the program.

Mike Marshall’s son, Adam Marshall, an attorney with the Marshall Law Firm, also serves as a preceptor. His son Andrew Marshall is a 2010 graduate of Elon Law and an Assistant District Attorney in Alamance County.

About Karen McKeithen Schaede

Karen McKeithen Schaede is the founder and principal of Karen McKeithen Schaede Attorney at Law in Greensboro. Her firm provides expertise in the areas of health law, business law, and employment law.
Schaede earned a B.S. in Nursing from the University of North Florida and worked more than 10 years as a registered nurse in critical care, home health and hospice settings before earning a J.D. from Mississippi College’s School of Law. She has practiced healthcare and employment law in the Carolinas since 1992.

Schaede is a member of the North Carolina Medicaid Advisory Committee, the Greater Greensboro Medical Group Managers Association, the American Health Lawyers Association, and the North Carolina Society of Healthcare Attorneys, and is an associate member of Guilford Medical & Dental Managers. She is a board member of The Volunteer Center of Greensboro, the Canterbury School Parents Association, and Youth Focus, a United Way agency.

In the fall of 2006, with the opening of Elon Law in Greensboro, Schaede served as a founding member of the Preceptor Program to mentor first year law students. She continues to mentor and counsel law students through the program. In addition to her work as a preceptor, Schaede also has provided real-world experience to many Elon law students by employing them as law clerks in her firm. W. Holmes Lilley III, the associate attorney who joined her law practice in 2010, is an Elon Law graduate who previously clerked with Schaede’s firm.

Marshall and Schaede received the Leadership in the Law award on Sept. 22, at a leadership awards luncheon in Raleigh, N.C. hosted by North Carolina Lawyers Weekly in partnership with Elon University School of Law.

Click here for more information about the preceptor program at Elon Law.