Blog Archive: 2014

My Experience On This Year's Winter Break Trip

Law school is an insulated environment. We read cases mostly brought by powerful parties with deep pockets to fund a case all the way up to the Supreme Court. Whether in the context of trusts and estates or business associations, the party with money often has the ability to take on the cases to change contemporary law, which are the cases we learn about. The party without any money, without any power, will negotiate and settle, or give up and move on. We rarely read about those people.

Reflections From This Year's Winter Break Trip

I served my first clients this week thanks to the UNC Law Pro Bono program, and I’m still reeling from such an amazing and rewarding experience. I’ll never forget the woman across the table yesterday - not more than a few years older than me and anxious to finalize her divorce - reciting back each of the steps between her and her maiden name.

Making a Difference in Cherokee

It’s not often in law school that you can look back on a day and say that you made a meaningful difference in the lives of dozens of people. But today, every student on the UNC Pro Bono trip helped make a difference in someone’s life, and every one of us saw that there is a lot more to being a lawyer than reading books. There are real people, with real problems, who deserve all the help we can give them.

Making Time for Pro Bono as a New Attorney

Service has long been a part of my life. From a young age, family, friends and teachers stressed the importance of serving others and the community. And for the most part, I took their advice. Because it gave me a sense of purpose. Because it was the right thing to do. Because I enjoyed making connections with people. And, in small part, because it was easy. Going to volunteer at a soup kitchen could be accommodated in my then very busy middle school schedule. . .

How to Make the Most of Your Winter Break Pro Bono Project

Pro Bono work offers an opportunity to develop skills, network with potential employers, and gain valuable experience. For those of you who have signed up for a Winter Break Pro Bono project, you have the opportunity to grow as a professional and make yourself a more attractive candidate for future employment. Here are a few tips from the Pro Bono Program and the CDO to help you maximize that opportunity.

Alumna Feature: Orla O'Hannadih '12

Orla O’Hannaidh (previously Buckley), '12

Name and Year of Graduation from UNC Law: Orla O’Hannaidh (previously Buckley), 2012

Place of Employment: Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP (RTP)

Area of Practice: Intellectual Property Transactions

Favorite class/professor in law school: Professor Conley’s IP class

Pro Bono Experience in Law School: Staff Member and President of the UNC Innocence Project; volunteer at the Women’s Center (now Compass Center) through the Community Legal Project

What inspired or prompted you to start doing pro bono work? I had many opportunities to get involved in the community and to do pro bono work during law school. As a native of the Triangle area, I found the pro bono work especially rewarding. I really enjoyed and valued my pro bono experience as a law student and I was committed to continue pro bono work as a licensed attorney.

Pro Bono is Ready for Winter Break!

Students Arrive Early to Sign Up for Pro Bono Projects

Alumnus Feature: Adam Tarleton '07

Name and Year of Graduation from UNC Law:

Adam Tarleton, 2007

Place of Employment:

Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, L.L.P. (Greensboro)

Area of Practice:

Tax / Trusts & Estates

Favorite class/professor in law school:

Bill Marshall’s Civ Pro and Rich Rosen’s Crim Pro

Alumna Feature: Elizabeth Froehling '92

Name and Year of Graduation from UNC Law:

Elizabeth (Beth) Froehling, 1992

Place of Employment:

Campbell Law School, 9/13-present

NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1/02-5/13

Area of Practice:

Non-practicing; currently serving as the Director of Student Life & Pro Bono Opportunities at Campbell Law School

Favorite class/professor in law school:

Race and Poverty Law (Dean Boger)—favorite class

Professor Rich Rosen—favorite professor

Alumnus Feature: Neil Bagchi '04

Name and Year of Graduation from UNC Law:

Neil Bagchi, 2004

Place of Employment:

Bagchi Law, PLLC

Area of Practice:

Corporate, International

Favorite class/professor in law school:

Securities, Tom Hazen