We love keeping up with our alumni! Class Notes are compiled from information submitted by alumni and press releases received from law firms. Please submit your class notes online, or contact us at law_alumni@unc.edu.
1956
Richard E. Thigpen Jr., of Kirk, Palmer & Thigpen in Charlotte, N.C., received the NCBA tax section’s Lifetime Achievement and Service Award. (Jun. 2024)
1966
Richard A. Vinroot, of Robinson, Bradshaw, & Hinson in Charlotte, N.C., was awarded the 2023 Chief Justice’s Professionalism Award. (Jan. 2024)
1967
John L. Jernigan, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for corporate law and mergers and acquisitions. (Aug. 2024)
1974
Richard Y. Stevens, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at UNC-Chapel Hill’s Spring Commencement Ceremony. (May 2024)
Thomas S. Stukes, partner at Womble Bond Dickinson LLP in Greensboro, N.C., was honored in the May 2024 edition of North Carolina Lawyer magazine as a section award winner in health law. (May 2024)
Stuart T. Williams, attorney at Henson Efron in Minneapolis, M.N., was honored in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in commercial litigation. (Aug. 2024)
1976
Noah H. Huffstetler, of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP in Raleigh N.C., was honored in the May 2024 edition of North Carolina Lawyer magazine as a section award winner in administrative law. (May 2024)
1977
Richard Boyette, of Cranfill Sumner LLP in Raleigh, N.C., was included in the Best Lawyers in America 2024 and 2025 list. (Nov. 2023)
1978
Thomas C. Watkins, of Schell Bray PLLC in Greensboro N.C., was honored in the May 2024 edition of North Carolina Lawyer magazine as a section award winner in business law. (May 2024)
1980
James F. Ammons Jr., superior court judge for Judicial District 14, was awarded with the 2023 Chief Justice’s Professionalism Award. (Jan. 2024)
Kerry A. Friedman, of Patla, Straus, Robinson & Moore PA in Asheville, N.C., was awarded the “Thorp Pro Bono Service Award” by the NCBA Pro Bono Committee. (Jun. 2024)
James S. “Jimbo” Perry, of Perry, Perry, & Perry in Kinston, N.C., was named as the executive director of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism. (Jan. 2024)
1981
D. C. “Mike” McIntyre, of Ward and Smith in Raleigh, N.C., was honored with the prestigious H. Brent McKnight Renaissance Lawyer Award by the North Carolina Bar Association. (June 2024)
1982
Randy K. Jones, of Mintz Levin, was inducted into the Fred D. Gray Hall of Fame during the National Bar Association Convention. (Jul. 2024)
1983
Clark Wright Jr., partner at Davis Hartman Wright in New Bern, N.C., was honored as Business North Carolina’s 2024 “Legal Elite” in the environmental practice section and was named to the 2024 North Carolina Super Lawyers list in the environmental law section. (Mar. 2024)
Vice Admiral James W. Crawford III has accepted a new position as President of Texas Southern University. (July 2024)
1984
H. Lee Evans Jr., of Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized in the 2024 North Carolina edition of Super Lawyers for his practice in civil litigation defense, and in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America in health care law and medical malpractice litigation-defendants. (Aug. 2024)
Donald H. Tucker, Jr., of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for general commercial litigation. (Aug. 2024)
1985
Christopher Capel, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for corporate law and mergers and acquisitions. (Aug. 2024)
William W. Nelson, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for tax law. (Aug. 2024)
C.D. Taylor Pace, partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP in Raleigh, N.C., was included in the Best Lawyers in America 2024 and 2025 list. (Nov. 2023)
Thomas E. Terrell Jr., partner at Fox Rothschild LLP, was appointed as co-chair of the Zoning & Land Use Practice Group. (Apr. 2024)
1986
R. Lee Poole, partner at Cranfill Sumner in Charlotte, N.C., was included in the 2025 Best Lawyers in America list. (Aug. 2024)
1987
Stephanie H. Autry, of Cranfill Sumner in Raleigh, N.C., was included in the 2025 Best Lawyers in America list. (Aug. 2023)
Byron B. Kirkland, managing partner of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for corporate law and mergers and acquisitions. (Aug. 2024)
1990
Robert E. Duggins, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for corporate law and mergers and acquisitions. (Aug. 2024)
Peter J. Marino, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for construction law. (Aug. 2024)
1991
George B. Autry Jr., of Cranfill Sumner in Raleigh, N.C., was included in the 2025 Best Lawyers in America list. (Aug. 2023)
Dorothy Bass Birch, partner at Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was named in the top 50 women lawyers in North Carolina in the 2024 edition of Super Lawyers magazine for her business/corporate law practice, and in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America in business and real estate law, and mergers and acquisitions. (Aug. 2024)
Louise M. Bristol, of Greensboro, N.C., accepted a position at Schell Bray PLLC. (May 2024)
Sandra Mitterling Schilder, partner at Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was named in the 2024 North Carolina edition of Super Lawyers for her construction litigation practice, and in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America in construction litigation, insurance litigation-defendants and professional malpractice litigation-defendants. (Aug. 2024)
Kerry A. Shad, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for labor and employment law. (Aug. 2024)
1992
Steven C. Brammer, of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, was appointed associate general counsel in the Civil Rights, Labor, and Employment Law Division. (Apr. 2024)
W. Scott Fuller, partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP in Raleigh, N.C., was included in the Best Lawyers in America 2024 and 2025 list. (Nov. 2023)
Cindy M. Patton, of Legal Aid of North Carolina in Charlotte, N.C., was honored by the NCBA as a 2024 Legal Legend of Color. (Jun. 2024)
1993
J. David Folds, of Baker Donelson in Washington, D.C., was recognized as a “Client Service All-Star” by BTI Consulting Group. (Jun. 2024)
1994
James W. Mizgala, partner at Tucker Ellis LLP in Chicago, Ill., was named to the 2024 Illinois Super Lawyers list in personal injury – products: defense. (Jan. 2024)
1995
Jill H. Cairo, a staff attorney at the New Hanover County Department of Health and Human Services, has been certified by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization as a board-certified specialist in child welfare law. (Jan. 2024)
David K. Liggett, partner at Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was named in the 2024 North Carolina edition of Super Lawyers in business and corporate law, and in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America in business, insurance, reinsurance, and mergers and acquisitions. (Aug. 2024)
D. Grier Martin III, accepted a position as secretary of the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. (Apr. 2024)
1997
Vaibhav P. “Wab” Kadaba, of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP in Atlanta, G.A., was selected as the firm’s new chair elect. (Jul. 2024)
Natasha M. Nazareth, partner at Nazareth Bonifacino Law Benefit in Rockville, M.D., received the American Bar Association “Solo and Small Firm Lifetime Achievement Award.” (May 2024)
David K. Teeples, of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in Dallas, T.X., was named senior vice president and general counsel. (Mar. 2024)
1998
Melissa D. Brumback, partner at Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was selected in the “Top 50 Women Lawyers in North Carolina” in the 2024 edition of Super Lawyers magazine, and in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America in construction litigation, construction law and insurance litigation defendants. (Aug. 2024)
Jonathan P. Heyl, of Fox Rothschild in Charlotte, N.C., was appointed as chair of the NCBF Endowment Committee and was selected to North Carolina Lawyers Weekly’s 2024 Commercial and Consumer Litigation Power List. (Jun. 2024)
Rona Karacaova, of Legal Aid of North Carolina, was awarded the “Greenblatt Outstanding Lawyer Award” by the NCBA Pro Bono Committee. (Jun. 2024)
Denise A. Lockett accepted a position at Roberts & Stevens in Asheville, N.C. (Jul. 2024)
Wayne K. Maiorano, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for construction law. (Aug. 2024)
Ned W. Mangum accepted a position at Smith Debnam in Raleigh, N.C. (Feb. 2024)
Felton E. Parrish, of Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, was announced as the overseer of his firm’s expansion into Charlotte, N.C. (Feb. 2024)
1999
Kas R. DeCarvalho accepted their nomination and was sworn into the Rhode Island District Court Bench. (Jun. 2024)
2000
Razan J. Fayez was appointed as a juvenile and domestic relations court judge in Fairfax County, V.A. (Feb. 2024)
Andrew P. Sherrod, partner at Hirschler Fleisher in Richmond, V.A., was inducted into the International Association of Defense Counsel. (Apr. 2024)
2002
Melissa Countway was appointed to the New Hampshire Supreme Court as an associate justice. (Jan. 2024)
Grace Y. Lee, of Morritt, Hock & Hamroff LLP in Long Island, N.Y., was promoted to counsel in her practice of real estate lending. (Jan. 2024)
Bart A. Norman, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for banking and finance law. (Aug. 2024)
2003
Kathryn “Kate” Deiter-Maradei, of Deiter Mediation in Raleigh N.C., was honored in the May 2024 edition of North Carolina Lawyer magazine as a section award winner in dispute resolution. (May 2024)
Amy L. Funderburk accepted a position as general counsel for the North Carolina Department of Insurance. (Apr. 2024)
Cathy Fung was announced as President Joe Biden’s intended nominee to be a judge on the U.S. Tax Court. (May 2024)
Travis G. Hill joined Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP as counsel for the Global Economic Development, Commerce and Government Relations Group. (Feb. 2024)
2004
Eva T. Novick, of Miller Nash LLP in Portland, O.R., was featured in the April edition of the Oregon State Bar Bulletin in the profiles in law section. (Apr. 2024)
C. Allen York, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for real estate law. (Aug. 2024)
2005
Ashleigh Carter Black, partner at Ragsdale Liggett in Raleigh, N.C., was selected to the 2024 North Carolina edition of Super Lawyers, and the “Legal Elite” list in Business N.C. magazine for her real estate law practice, and to the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America in real estate law. (Aug. 2024)
Carolyn T. Marcus accepted a position with McAngus Goudelock & Courie LLC in Raleigh, N.C. (Jan. 2024)
Amie Fonville Sivon, partner at Ragsdale Liggett in Raleigh, N.C., was designated a certified board specialist in appellate law by the North Carolina State Bar, was recognized for her appellate practice in both the 2024 North Carolina edition of Super Lawyers and as a “Legal Elite” in Business N.C. magazine, and was recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America for her appellate practice, construction litigation, and insurance litigation. (Aug. 2024)
2006
Melody J. Jolly, partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP in Wilmington, N.C., was named to the 2024 North Carolina edition of Super Lawyers in professional liability and defense and was included in the 2025 Best Lawyers in America list. (Aug. 2023)
2008
Angela J. Burke, of Columbia, M.O., accepted an associate position with Blitz, Badgett, & Deutsch. (Mar. 2024)
Elizabeth Sims Hedrick, partner at Fox Rothschild LLP, was named a “2024 Women in Business Honoree” by the Triangle Business Journal. (Jan. 2024)
2009
Bao Nguyen was appointed as general counsel for New York Community Bancorp. (Apr. 2024)
Alicia M. Slaughter was appointed as a district court judge in Judicial District 8. (Mar. 2024)
2011
Jennifer R. Story, of Legal Aid of North Carolina, was honored in the May 2024 edition of North Carolina Lawyer magazine as a section award winner in juvenile justice & children’s rights. (May 2024)
Marshall O. Dworkin, of Morritt, Hock & Hamroff LLP in Long Island, N.Y., was promoted to counsel in his practice of commercial litigation. (Jan. 2024)
2012
Kara Brunk, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation. (Aug. 2024)
Charles R. Kabugo-Musoke, of Smith Anderson in Raleigh, N.C., was named by Chambers USA on America’s Leading Lawyers for Business list for banking and finance law. (Aug. 2024)
2014
Holly S. Bannerman, of Moore & Van Allen in Charlotte, N.C., was named to the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Real Estate Lawyers list. (Aug. 2024)
2015
R. Robert El-Jaouhari, partner at Cranfill Sumner LLP in Raleigh, N.C., was named to the 2024 North Carolina “Rising Stars” list in civil litigation and defense. (Jan. 2024)
Lauren M. Talboom, of Robinson Bradshaw in Charlotte, N.C., was elected as a shareholder. (Jan. 2024)
2016
Joseph Shuford accepted a new position with Fox Rothschild LLP in Greensboro, N.C. as an associate in the litigation and construction law groups.
2018
La-Deidre D. Matthews, of Fox Rothschild LLP in Charlotte, N.C., was named to the Charlotte Business Journal “40 Under 40” list. (Mar. 2024)
Jin Xin, of Greenberg Traurig PA in Miami, F.L., was awarded the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Miami Initiative’s “Project of the Year” award.
2019
Michael J. Hutcherson, of Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was selected as a “Rising Star” in the 2024 North Carolina edition of Super Lawyers, was selected as a “Young Gun” in the 2024 Legal Elite edition of Business North Carolina magazine, and as a “One to Watch” in insurance litigation, construction litigation and personal injury litigation defendants in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in America. (Aug. 2024)
2020
Kollin G. Bender accepted a new position with Hirschler Law in Richmond, V.A. as a bankruptcy and restructuring associate. (Feb. 2024)
2021
Joshua Cole accepted a new position with Wood, Smith, Henning and Berman in Raleigh, N.C. as an associate attorney specializing in commercial litigation, employment law, construction liability, and wrongful death cases. (Aug. 2024)
2022
Dakota Lipscombe accepted a new position with Cranfill Sumner LLP in Wilmington, N.C. as an associate in the community association and construction law groups. (July 2024)
