Raleigh, NC – Five Poyner Spruill attorneys have been inducted into the inaugural cohort of the Pro Bono Honor Society by the N.C. Supreme Court.
J.M. Durnovich, Andrew H. Erteschik, Eugene S. Griggs, Caroline P. Mackie and Mike McIntyre were among 170 attorneys named to the cohort.
“Every attorney at Poyner Spruill gives back to the state and their communities through volunteer work, pro bono services and financial contributions,” said Managing Partner Bo Dempster. “That Gene, Caroline, J.M., Mike and Drew were able to carve out 50-plus hours for pro bono services from their busy work schedules reflects their deep commitment to community service.”
To receive the recognition, attorneys had to provide at least 50 hours of pro bono service in 2016. The Pro Bono Resource Center, a program of the N.C. Equal Access to Justice Commission, collected information from hundreds of attorneys across the state about their pro bono work.
This is the first year the state has sought to formally quantify the amount of pro bono work done by North Carolina attorneys and recognize those who contribute at exceptional levels. Pro bono legal services are provided without a fee or expectation of a fee, to persons of limited means, charitable organizations addressing the needs of persons of limited needs, or public interest organizations that cannot afford legal fees.
The Pro Bono Honor Society recognizes attorneys who contribute substantial time to pro bono services, but attorneys are also encouraged to serve the public in other ways, such as non-legal community service, financially supporting legal service organizations and activities that improve the law.
Durnovich is an associate in Poyner Spruill’s Charlotte office; his practice focuses on complex civil litigation. Erteschik is a partner in the Raleigh office; he focuses on high-stakes business litigation, government disputes and appeals. Griggs is a partner in the Charlotte office; his practice focuses on employee benefits and executive compensation. Mackie is an associate in the Raleigh office who focuses on commercial, governmental and general litigation. McIntyre is a partner in the Raleigh office; his practice focuses on government relations on local, state and national levels.
About Poyner Spruill
Poyner Spruill LLP is a large, multidisciplinary North Carolina law firm, providing a comprehensive range of business and litigation legal services. The firm has a reputation for professional excellence and client service throughout the Southeast. Poyner Spruill has offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Rocky Mount and Southern Pines.
