{"id":2873,"date":"2025-08-28T10:07:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T14:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/?p=2873"},"modified":"2025-09-16T10:40:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T14:40:37","slug":"class-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/class-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"Class Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>We love keeping up with our alumni! Class Notes are compiled from information submitted by alumni and press releases received from law firms. Please&nbsp;submit your class notes by emailing&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:law_alumni@unc.edu\">law_alumni@unc.edu<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/09\/Plaid-bookmarks-dark-blue2-1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2906\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/09\/Plaid-bookmarks-dark-blue2-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/09\/Plaid-bookmarks-dark-blue2-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/09\/Plaid-bookmarks-dark-blue2-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/09\/Plaid-bookmarks-dark-blue2-1.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1974<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>John C. Boger<\/strong>, Wade Edwards Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, was awarded the \u201c2025 Lifetime Champion Justice\u201d Award from the N.C. Justice Center. (May 2025).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1977<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>William M. Begley<\/strong>, of Begley Law Firm PA in Black Mountain, N.C., was inducted in the North Carolina Bar Association\u2019s Legal Practice Hall of Fame. (Jun. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Richard T. Boyette<\/strong>, of Cranfill Sumner LLP in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized in the Best Lawyers in America 2026 list. (Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1980<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Michael L. Robinson<\/strong>,was named the Chief Judge of the North Carolina Business Court. (Jan. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1981<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Steven H. Sholk, <\/strong>of Gibbons P.C. in Newark, N.J., had his article \u201cA Guide to Election Year Activities of Section 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) Organizations,\u201d published as part of the course materials of the New Jersey State Bar Association seminar, Pay-to-Play 2025 \u2013 The Latest in Campaign Finance. (Jul. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><u>1982<\/u><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Herman Spence III<\/strong>, received the North Carolina Bar Association Tax Section\u2019s \u201cTax Lifetime Achievement and Service\u201d Award for 2025. (Jun. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1984<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>H. Lee Evans Jr.<\/strong>, of Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized in Civil Litigation Defense in the 2025 edition of Super Lawyers. Additionally, he was named in the 2026 Best Lawyers for Health Care Litigation and Medical Malpractice Law \u2013 Defendants. (Feb. and Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1985<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>C.D. Taylor Pace<\/strong>, of Cranfill Sumner LLP in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized in the Best Lawyers in America 2026 list. (Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1986<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Samuel Hawley \u2018Lee\u2019 Poole Jr.<\/strong>, of Cranfill Sumner LLP in Charlotte, N.C., was recognized in the Best Lawyers in America 2026 list. (Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1987<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stephanie H. Autry<\/strong>, of Cranfill Sumner LLP in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized in the Best Lawyers in America 2026 list. (Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>C. Mark Holt <\/strong>was honored with \u201cThe National Conference of Bar Foundations Excellence\u201d Award. (Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1991<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>George Bailey Autry Jr.<\/strong>, of Cranfill Sumner LLP in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized in the Best Lawyers in America 2026 list. Additionally, he was listed as \u201cLawyer of the Year\u201d by Best Lawyers. (Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sandra Woods Mitterling Schilder<\/strong>, partner of Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was named 2025 Legal Elite in her practice area of Construction by Business North Carolina magazine and honored in Construction Litigation by Super Lawyers. Additionally, she was named in the 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers in Construction Litigation, Insurance Litigation and Professional Malpractice Law \u2013 Defendants. (Feb. and Aug 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dorothy B. Burch<\/strong>, partner of Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized in the 2025 edition of Super Lawyers for her Business\/Corporate Law practice, as well as included in the publication\u2019s \u201cTop North Carolina Women Lawyers\u201d for the fifth year. Additionally, she was named in Best Lawyers 2026 Edition for her practice areas Corporate Law, Real Estate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. (Feb. and Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1992<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>W. Scott Fuller<\/strong>, of Cranfill Sumner LLP in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized in the Best Lawyers in America 2026 list. (Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1994<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Ian Taylor has joined Buchalter as a shareholder in Seattle, W.A. (Jul. 2025).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1995<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>David K. Liggett<\/strong>, partner of Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized for his Business Practice in North Carolina 2025 Super Lawyers on their Business\/Corporate Law list as well as in Business North Carolina\u2019s 2025 Legal Elite list. Additionally, he was named in the 2026 Best Lawyers Guide in his practice areas of Business and Corporate Law, Insurance Law, Mergers &amp; Acquisitions and Reinsurance Law. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Andrew T. Meunier<\/strong>, principal of Meunier Carlin &amp; Curfman in Atlanta, G.A., celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the firm\u2019s founding. (Apr. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>1998<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Melissa D. Brumback, <\/strong>partner of Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was named in Construction Litigation by the 2025 edition of Super Lawyers as well as the publication\u2019s \u201cTop 50 North Carolina Women Lawyers.\u201d Additionally, she was named in North Carolina Lawyers Weekly magazine\u2019s 2025 \u201cPower List\u201d for excellence in Construction Law. She was also recognized in Best Lawyers in its 2026 edition. (Feb., Apr., and Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>200<\/u><\/strong>0<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Stephanie E. Satterfield<\/strong>, principal of Jackson Lewis P.C. in Greenville, S.C., was recognized in the 2025 edition of Chambers USA for her Labor and Employment practice. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2001<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Natasha N. Branch<\/strong>, of Title Resource Group, has a new position as Vice President, Education and Underwriting Counsel for North Carolina. (Jun. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Christopher W. Brooker<\/strong>, Chairman of Wyatt, Tarrant &amp; Combs, LLP\u2019s Litigation and Dispute Resolution team, has expanded his litigation practice, and is now licensed to practice law in Indiana, as well as Kentucky. (Jun. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2002<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jason J. Burt <\/strong>has a new position as deputy director at Division of Enforcement, United States Securities and Exchange Commission. (Apr. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q. Shant\u00e9 Martin <\/strong>of Cranfill Sumner LLP in Charlotte, N.C., was honored with the Ann L. Majestic Distinguished Service Award from the North Carolina Bar Association. (Apr. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2005<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ashleigh Elizabeth Carter Black<\/strong>, partner of Ragsdale Liggett PLLC in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized in North Carolina 2025 Super Lawyers on their Real Estate Law list as well as in Business North Carolina\u2019s 2025 Legal Elite list. Additionally, she was selected to the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers for her Real Estate Law practice. (Feb. and Aug 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Charlotte A. Mitchell<\/strong> has joined McGuireWoods, LLP in Raleigh, N.C. as partner. (Apr. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Amie Fonville Sivon<\/strong>, partner at Ragsdale Liggett in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized for her Appellate Practice in both the 2025 editions of Business North Carolina\u2019s Legal Elite list and North Carolina 2025 Super Lawyers. Additionally, she was selected to Best Lawyers\u2019 2026 Guide for Appellate Practice, Construction Litigation, and Insurance Litigation. (Feb. and Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2006<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Melody J. Jolly<\/strong>, of Cranfill Sumner LLP in Wilmington, N.C., was recognized as a 2025 North Carolina Super Lawyer. Additionally, she was recognized in the Best Lawyers in America 2026 list. (Feb. 2025 and Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2007<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Mary Katherine H. Stukes<\/strong> of Moore &amp; Van Allen PLLC, LLP, in Raleigh, N.C. was selected for the Charlotte Business Journal\u2019s 2025 Women in Business Awards program as well as the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Environmental Lawyers \u2013 The Green 500 guide. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Andrew Tsui <\/strong>has joined Arnall Golen Gregory LLP as a partner in Washington, D.C. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2010<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Michael F. Easley Jr.<\/strong>&nbsp;has joined McGuireWoods LLP in Raleigh, N.C. as partner. (Mar. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2011<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Richard T. McCotter<\/strong>, of the Offices of the United States of United States Attorneys of the Eastern District of Virginia, argued his first case to the United States Supreme Court. (Apr. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2012<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Chelsea J. Corey<\/strong>, of Haynes and Boone, LLP, in Charlotte, N.C. was named among \u201cThe American Lawyer\u2019s Litigator of the Week\u201d honorees. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2013<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Christina D. Cress<\/strong>, of Ward and Smith, P.A. in Wilmington, N.C., was appointed by Governor Josh Stein to serve on the North Carolina Energy Policy Task Force. (Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>William M. Scott<\/strong>, of the Environmental Defense Fund in Raleigh, N.C.was appointed by Governor Josh Stein to serve on the North Carolina Energy Policy Task Force. (Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Asher P. Spiller<\/strong>, of the North Carolina Department of Justice, Environmental Division, was appointed by Governor Josh Stein to serve on the North Carolina Energy Policy Task Force. (Aug. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2014<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Elizabeth C. Buckley<\/strong> was named partner of Fox Rothschild in Raleigh, N.C. (May 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Eva Glen Gullick Frongello <\/strong>was elected as partner of Parker Poe in Raleigh, N.C. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Giles C. Rhodenhiser <\/strong>was selected to serve on the Law360 North Carolina Advisory Editorial Board for 2025. (Mar. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Andy J. Ligotti <\/strong>was elected as partner of Alston Byrd in New York, N.Y. in their Intellectual Property Litigation Practice Group. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2015<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>R. Robert El-Jaouhari<\/strong>, of Cranfill Sumner LLP in Raleigh, N.C., was recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers in their 2025 North Carolina Rising Stars list. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ellis W. Martin <\/strong>was named partner of Fox Rothschild in Greensboro, N.C. (May 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2016<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Jessica C. Eck <\/strong>has a new position as deputy district director at Newnan, G.A. Office of Representative Brian T. Jack. (Apr. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2018<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;Jin Xin<\/strong>, of Greenberg Traurig in Miami, F.L. was selected as a 2025 \u201c40 Under 40\u201d Award recipient by the Miami-Dade Bar Young Lawyers Section. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2019<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ariella Z. Walsh<\/strong>,of Cranfill Sumner LLP, in Charlotte, N.C. was recognized in North Carolina Super Lawyers in their 2025 \u201cNorth Carolina Rising Stars\u201d list. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"has-white-color has-dark-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><strong><u>2020<\/u><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sebastian L. Brana <\/strong>has joined Ogletree Deakins as an associate in Richmond, V.A. (Feb. 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a id=\"_msocom_1\"><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2906,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2873"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2873"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2909,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2873\/revisions\/2909"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.law.unc.edu\/september-2025\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}