Mecklenburg Bar Association/26th Judicial District Bar

10/12/2026

Don’t let your CLE requirements haunt you!

Spooky season is here - and we’ve got CLEs to keep your credits from becoming a frightening last-minute scramble. Join us October 28 and 29 for two Halloween themed CLEs so good, they’re scary. Register at: MeckBar.org/calendar

Speakers:

October 28:

• Judge Rhonda L. Patterson-Wrighten, District Court Judge
• Judge Gary Henderson, District Court Judge
• Judge Rex Marvelx Marvel, District Court Judge
• Sean P. Smith, Former District Court Judge; , PLLC

October 29:

• Jim Dedman, Gallivan White & Boyd, P.A.
• Professor Sara Warf, UNC School of Law
• Neil Jonas, United States Bankruptcy Court-Office of the Chapter 13 Trustee

10/09/2026

On Thursday, 110 newly licensed attorneys were officially sworn into the North Carolina Bar during three separate ceremonies at the Federal Courthouse.

The 26th Judicial District Bar and Mecklenburg Bar Association extend our sincere gratitude to all the participating judges and everyone who helped make this milestone occasion possible. This included:

Session 1: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1639838484823936&type=3

• U.S. District Judge Matt Orso
• 26th Judicial District Court Judge Elizabeth Trosch
• 26th Judicial District Bar President Graham Billings
• Mecklenburg Bar Association President Mesha Sloss
• MBA Young Lawyers Division Vice Chair Maya Davis
• Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court Staff Tracy Simmons & Andy Eubanks

Session 2: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1639868361487615&type=3

• U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez
• 26th Judicial District Court Judge Elizabeth Trosch
• 26th Judicial District Bar President Graham Billings
• Mecklenburg Bar Association President Mesha Sloss
• MBA Young Lawyers Division Vice Chair Maya Davis
• Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court Staff Helena Chancellor & Marquicia Hatcher

Session 3: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1639926518148466&type=3

• Senior U.S. District Judge Frank Whitney
• Superior Court Judge Donald Cureton Jr.
• 26th Judicial District Bar President Graham Billings
• Mecklenburg Bar Association Past President Sarah Stone
• MBA Young Lawyers Division Chair Michael Peretz
• Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court Staff Yvette Fuller & Jamell Garner

• Federal Courthouse staff and security for hosting these ceremonies
• Federal Clerks for the Western District of North Carolina for their ongoing sponsorship of the swearing-in ceremonies
• YLD Membership Chair Brian Daza, Vice Chair Ke’Aria Morgan and Secretary/Treasurer Charles Melcombe for assisting MBA staff in coordinating sponsors for new admittees
• Attorney sponsors who introduced the new admittees to the court for admittance
• Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s deputies
• Lawyers Mutual NC for their continued support
• Legal Aid of North Carolina

10/09/2026

10/01/2026

What happens when a mediator with no coding experience decides to use AI to build a tool he’s wished existed for years?

In this MeckBar News blog post, Steve Dunn of Miles Mediation & Arbitration shares how AI went from a fun novelty to a practical tool that transformed the way he approaches his mediation practice, including building a collection of free, privacy-focused tools designed specifically for lawyers and litigants.

Read how AI is lowering the barrier to creating custom technology and opening up new possibilities for legal professionals at MeckBar.org/dunn-AI-oct2026.

09/30/2026

We’re excited to announce that Judge Aretha Blake - District Court Judge has been selected as the 20th Julius L. Chambers Diversity Champion Award winner!

Help us celebrate Judge Blake at the McMillan Fellowship Dinner on November 10 at The Union at Station West.

Get your tickets at MeckBar.org/mcmillan-dinner-2026

09/24/2026

Members of the Young Lawyers Division had another fun night at The Puttery! Thanks to those who braved the rain to attend!

09/22/2026

Find a match with the MBA Mentorship Alliance! Calling all mentors and mentees to sign up before October 7, 2026.

http://meckbar.org/mentorship-alliance