NCSB Journal Summer 2026

in a client’s life and showing the contribu tions a client has made to their family and their communities. In the current environ ment, the opportunities to do this are fewer. Some immigrants may fear being detained which discourages them from appearing in court or pursuing an immigration benefit they may be entitled to. The law changes so quickly and so often it is difficult for attor neys to develop effective long-term strategies for our clients. Q: What is something about immigration law that you wish other attorneys and/or the public knew? I would really like other non-immigra tion lawyers to realize the unique position a non-citizen is in this country. Their rights are not the same as US Citizens. The conse quences of civil or criminal adjudications can impact them differently and often can detrimentally result in removal from the US or financial deprivation or separation from a family. For the public, I would encourage folks to look beyond sound bites and seek out comprehensive sources of information. Q: How do you keep yourself motivated? We talk with colleagues and learn of their triumphs and their losses. This helps us feel connected and not so isolated in our prac tices. I cherish the successes of all of us. Q: What career accomplishment makes you most proud? I am most proud of the number of lives I have changed in a positive way by helping them secure legal status in this country including US citizenship. Q: What is the best advice you have ever given/received? As trite as it sounds, The Golden Rule, and my dad’s sage advice that when you’re feeling down on yourself, go do something for someone else. My struggles may seem insurmountable at times, but there are others carrying much greater burdens. Q: Do you work with any volunteer organ izations or other groups—related to work or outside of work—that you enjoy? I have been a volunteer with The International House in Charlotte since 1989 and served on its board for six years. Up until its dissolution last year, I was a member of A Tu Lado, an interfaith volunteer organiza tion supporting immigrants by connecting them with faith communities for partner ships of accompaniment and mutual under

standing. I have accepted and handled pro bono cases from Legal Aid of NC, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, The International House, and from local faith communities. I also do volunteer projects and ministries through my church, St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Charlotte. I have served in volunteer capacities with the Mecklenburg County Bar and the Carolinas Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Q: What aspect of your field brings you the most joy? Seeing a client and their families advance in life after years of being restricted due to their lack of lawful immigration status. Q: Who is your role model (or mentor) and why? It was my dad. He was not a lawyer, but he thought like one, and he acted compas sionately with everyone he encountered.

Now it is my life partner and husband of 31 years. He shares those traits as well. n *Public interest lawyers are some of the low est paid in the state, and the application fees for specialization are often difficult to pay. To address this financial hurdle, we created a scholarship to pay the application fees for public interest lawyers who pursue initial certification. Please consider making a tax-deductible dona tion to the NC Specialization Board Scholarship via NC LEAF. Any amount helps! Your donation will help a public interest lawyer pursue certification, thereby generating confi dence in legal services and the justice system for everyone in our state. To donate, please visit ncleaf.org and select “NC Specialization Board.” For more information about the specializa tion program, please visit the State Bar website at ncbar.gov.

Public Hearing Notice Inviting Public Comment on Child Support Guidelines

In accordance with G.S. 50-13.4(c1), the Conference of Chief District Court Judges is reviewing the statewide presumptive child support guidelines. A copy of the current guidelines is available for review online at NCcourts.gov, the Office of Child Support Enforcement, and the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court. The purpose of the judges’ review is to ensure that payments ordered for the support of a minor child are in such amount as to meet the reasonable needs of the child for health, education, and maintenance, having due regard to the estates, earnings, condi tions, accustomed standard of living of the child and the parties, the child care and homemaker contributions of each party, and other facts of the particular case. What The Conference of Chief District Court Judges invites interested parties to comment on the child support guidelines in writing or at a public hearing. Individuals are invited to com ment for up to five minutes on the guidelines. Individual case histories are discouraged. Written comments should be mailed by May 25, 2026, to: NC Administrative Office of the Courts Office of General Counsel Attention: Guidelines Committee Staff PO Box 2448, Raleigh, NC 27602

When Thursday, June 4, 2026 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Sign-in begins at 6:45 p.m.

Where Highway Building Auditorium1 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27601

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THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR JOURNAL