The High Point Enterprise—a newspaper that primarily serves High Point, North Carolina, and covers parts of Guilford, Davidson, Randolph, and Forsyth counties—recently released a feature article on High Point Law.
The editorial shines a spotlight on two significant developments at HPU Law: the school’s hosting the NC Court of Appeals in March and the May article in the North Carolina Lawyer Magazine, which featured an interview of Founding Dean and Professor of Law Mark Martin.
Through its photos and commentary, the recent High Point Enterprise article points to the community involvement that has helped High Point Law achieve its rapid success. The NC Court of Appeals event would not have been possible without the incredible organizational assistance from the six appellate judges and their staff members. Another community stakeholder fundamental to the event was High Point University’s Police Chief, Debra Duncan. Both a lawyer and sworn law enforcement officer, Chief Duncan served as bailiff, opening and closing the two oral argument sessions. She and her staff protected the judges, attorneys, and audience during the proceedings.
In addition, the High Point Bar Association and Greensboro Bar Association contributed to the event’s success. These two organizations joined to fund a reception after the oral arguments, and they encouraged their members and other local attorneys to attend. At the reception, members of both bar associations interacted with the judges, with HPU Law faculty and staff, and with the students and other visitors in attendance.
Community engagement is a primary focus at High Point Law. In addition to our clinical programs which will serve the community, our students will be involved in local legal organizations. As this event showed, local bar associations are a great way for these soon-to-be lawyers to connect with the local legal community, experience mentorship, and find opportunities to volunteer.
When asked about High Point Law‘s involvement in the local community, High Point Bar Association Vice President John Nieman and Member Georgia Nixon had this to say:
“We’re very excited that High Point University, with its emphasis and strong commitment to improving life skills of its students, now will have law students who will be impacting the legal needs of our community,” shared John Nieman.
“As a longtime member of the HPBA, I am ecstatic that High Point Law students will be at our bar meetings, in our courthouses, and a part of our firms,” said Georgia Nixon. “I can’t wait to see all the amazing ways these future lawyers contribute to our legal community!”
Greensboro Bar Association President Manisha Patel added:
“It was a pleasure for the Greensboro Bar Association to co-host the reception with the NC Court of Appeals judges after the afternoon of arguments. The time provided for meaningful conversations with the jurists and members of both the Greensboro and High Point Bar Associations.”
Dean Martin could not agree more with these visions of how HPU Law will integrate into the local legal community. In response, he had this to say about our community partners:
“The level of support that High Point Law has received from the bench and bar is beyond what I could have ever hoped for or imagined.”
