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NCAWA AWARDS

Each year, NCAWA recognizes people and organizations that have made significant contributions to the legal profession in North Carolina and support NCAWA's mission of promoting the participation of women in the legal profession and advancing the rights and welfare of women under the law.  NCAWA presents one or more of the following awards each year at its Annual Conference:

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For more information about these awards, or to make a nomination, please contact admin@ncawa.org

GWYNETH B. DAVIS AWARD

 

Gwyneth B. Davis was a past president and board member of NCAWA.  She died in 1988, following a three-year fight with cancer.  In the time that she lived and worked in North Carolina, she served as a staff attorney with Legal Services of Northwest North Carolina in Winston-Salem, and devoted her considerable energies and talents to founding the Forsyth County Women Attorneys Association and working toward the objectives of NCAWA at both the state and local levels.  As Attorney Ellen Gerber, who was a founding member of NCAWA, described her, “Gwyn was my comrade in arms against the forces that would oppress women... The strongest image is of Gwyn the peacemaker... Gwyn always seemed the neutral party that could thread her way through the warring factions... Another one of Gwyn’s accomplishments was her work to improve the condition of women throughout North Carolina. Gwyn contributed an important effort to write and lobby for the passage of the state’s first equitable distribution law... She was unfailingly generous in her view of people... She cared deeply and had a great commitment to helping her clients. She also was dedicated to improving the lot of women in general and women attorneys...”

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Each year, NCAWA presents the public service award in memory and honor of Gwyneth B. Davis, for the promotion of the participation of women attorneys in the legal profession and the rights of women under the law.  

2024 Gwyneth B. Davis Award Winners

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Melissa Walker

Melissa is currently a Staff Attorney with the North Carolina Utilities Commission.  Prior to joining the Commission, Melissa served the State of North Carolina as a Special Deputy Attorney General with the Department of Justice for seven years. In that position she represented the University of North Carolina System and its 17 constituent institutions in tort claims before the Industrial Commission.  Melissa was a workers compensation defense attorney in private practice for 11 years prior to joining the State.  

 

Melissa holds a BA in Communication Studies and Management & Society from UNC Chapel Hill.  She received her law degree from Campbell University and her LL.M from the University of London.

  

Melissa is a long time member of NCAWA whose involvement with the organization dates back to her years as a law student.  She served as president of NCAWA in 2013 and served as a liaison to the National Conference of Women's Bar Associations on behalf of NCAWA after her time on the board.  

 

Melissa and her husband Wes have four boys ages 15, 12, 9 and 6.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Previous Gwyneth B. Davis Public Service Award Winners
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  • 2023 Judge Dorothy Hairston Mitchell

  • 2022 Judge Linda Stephens

  • 2021 Susan Strayhorn Barbour, Judge Wanda G. Bryant

  • 2020 Betsy Martin

  • 2019 Ashley Huffstetler Campbell, Yolanda L. Taylor

  • 2018 Judge Christine Walczyk, Diane (Dee) Wallis

  • 2017 Judge Lori Christian, Kate Woomer-Deters

  • 2016 Beth Posner, Chris Brook, Julie Klipp Nicholson

  • 2015 Suzanne Chester

  • 2014 Justice Cherri Beasley, Leah Broker

  • 2013 Harriett Smalls

  • 2012 Lisa Grafstein

  • 2011 Susan M. (Smitty) Dotson-Smith

  • 2010 Barbara (Bonnie) B. Weyher

  • 2008 Justice Robin E. Hudson

  • 2007 Stella Boswell, Judge Joyce Hamilton, Sally H. Scherer

  • 2006 Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson

  • 2005 Robin L. Ames, Michelle Frances Robertson

  • 2004 Sorien K. Schmidt

  • 2003 Anne R. Slifkin

  • 2002 Senator Ellie Kinnaird, Anne Winner

  • 2001 Elizabeth F. Kuniholm

  • 2000 Hon. Catherine C. Eagles

  • 1999 E. Ann Christian

  • 1998 Bertha (Bea) Holt

  • 1997 Melinda Lawrence, Senator William Nelson Martin, Jennie Leake Hemrick

  • 1996 Rep. Eva Clayton, Hon. Linda McGee, Elaine Marshall, Suzanne Reynolds

  • 1995 Marcia H. Armstrong, Lynn Burleson, Allyson Duncan

  • 1994 Hon. Janice McKenzie Cole, Jane Madden, Ellen Gelbin

  • 1993 Dorothy Bernholz, Sharon Parker, Kathryn Jones-Cooper

  • 1992 Hon. Patricia Love, Hon. Jacqueline Morris-Goodson

  • 1991 Brenda Campbell, Mary Wright

  • 1990 Ann C. Barnes, Charlotte Brody, Anne Mackie

  • 1989 Russell Walker, Judith Wegner

  • 1988 Mary Margaret Flynn, Pamela Gann, James B. McMillan

  • 1987 Hon. Jane Harper, Pam Silberman, Sharon Thompson

  • 1986 Gwyneth B. Davis, Annie Brown Kennedy, Hon. Sarah Parker

  • 1985 Brenda McGhee, Sue Perry, Leslie Winner

  • 1984 J. Ray Elinburg, James B. Hunt, Carol Spruill, Wilma Woodard

  • 1983 Katharine Robinson Everett, Elreta Alexander Ralston, Carolyn McAllaster

  • 1982 Ruth Easterling, Karen Galloway, Rachel Gray, Jane Patterson, Ellen Gerber

  • 1981 Meyressa Schoonmaker, Carolyn McAllaster

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Samantha C. Arrington Sliney

​Samantha “Sam” Arrington Sliney is the Southeastern Regional State Liaison for the Defense State Liaison Office. The Defense State Liaison Office provides state policymakers with expert insight on priorities affecting military families and their quality of life. This initiative is part of the Defense Department’s efforts to identify and address the most pressing needs of service members and military families. She is also a New Jersey Air National Guard Judge Advocate (JAG). Sam previously served on active duty for 10 years as an Air Force JAG and as an Attorney Advisor at the Joint Special Operations Command. She is married to an Army soldier and a mom to three kids. Sam has been a long-time member and devoted board member of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys. She began her membership as a law student in 2010. She began her service on the Board of Directors in 2018 as the Co-Chair of the Government Action Committee and remained on the board until her term as the Immediate Past President expired in 2023. As the Immediate Past President, Sam created an advocacy partnership between NCAWA and MSJDN that resulted in the waiver of bar application fees for military spouse attorneys applying to the North Carolina bar, contributing to the opportunity for military spouse attorneys to apply for licensure during military moves free of charge. Sam is also an active member of the Department of the Air Force Barrier Analysis Working Group, the Women’s Initiative Team, where she champions initiatives that eliminate barriers impacting women’s propensity to serve in the Department of the Air Force and Department of Defense. After her appointment as the Co-Chair in 2021, Sam’s leadership has led to the elimination of 20+ legacy barriers that negatively impacted women’s propensity to serve. Personally, Sam has led the charge for increasing lactation support for women in the military to include reimbursement for breastmilk transport costs during work travel; a first ever benefit offered to service members and federal civilian employees. She is passionate about creating a Department of Defense that provides the resources and support necessary to facilitate the success of all service members. Specifically, Sam advocates for equitable support and resources for women during all phases of life, particularly pregnancy and post-partum. A graduate of North Carolina Central University School of Law (J.D.), Western Michigan University Thomas Cooley Law School (LL.M.) and Methodist University (B.A.), Sam is admitted to practice law in Florida, North Carolina, and the District of Columbia.

OUTSTANDING JUDGE OF THE YEAR AWARD

 

Since 1998, the NCAWA Judicial Division has periodically presented the Outstanding Judge of the Year Award to North Carolina judges who have contributed to the judiciary, NCAWA, and the community. 

2024 Award Winner

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Judge Teresa H. Vincent, Guilford District Court

Judge Teresa Vincent is from Shelby, North Carolina, but she has lived in Greensboro for more than thirty years.  She currently serves as a District Court Judge in Guilford County and has done so since 2000.  In August of 2019, Judge Vincent was appointed Chief District Court Judge, the first African American female in Guilford County to have this position.

 

Prior to becoming a District Court Judge, she was an Assistant District Attorney for approximately seven years.  Judge Vincent received her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University.  

 

Judge Vincent was married to the late Dr. Drewry Vincent. She has one child, Drewry (affectionately called Drew) Vincent, II.

Previous Outstanding Judge of the Year Recipients
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  • 2023 Judge Julianna Theall Earp

  • 2022 Justice Robin E. Hudson, Judge Carla Archie, Judge Rickye McKoy-Mitchell

  • 2021  Chief Judge Donna Stroud, Judge Phyllis Gorham, Judge Debra Sasser

  • 2019  Justice Cheri Beasley

  • 2018  Judge Yvonne Mims Evans, Judge Rebecca Thorne Tin

  • 2017  Judge Linda Stephens

  • 2016  Judge Marcia Moray

  • 2014  Judge Wanda Bryant

  • 2008  Judge Kimberly Taylor

  • 2007  Judge Shelly Holt

  • 2006  Judge Allyson K. Duncan

  • 2005  Judge Jane V. Harper

  • 2004  Judge Joyce (Joy) Hamilton

  • 2002  Justice Sarah Parker

  • 2000  Judge A. Elizabeth Keever

  • 1999  Judge Linda M. McGee

  • 1998  Judge Shirley L. Fulton

BALANCED LIFE WORKPLACE AWARD

 

The Balanced Life Workplace Award (BLWA) is presented annually by NCAWA to an employer that has distinguished itself by establishing employment policies and practices that assist lawyers in achieving balance between their work and personal lives.  Any legal employer in either the public or private sector, employing at least two or more individuals, is eligible for consideration.  We will consider, among other factors, the employer’s policies and practices on work hours, office benefits, part-time employment, flexible work schedules, leave options, and remote work arrangements. 

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2024 Award Winner

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Abigail C. Seymour

​Abigail C. Seymour is a family law attorney in Greensboro, NC. A second-career attorney who spent several decades as a writer and photographer prior to law school, Abigail became a member of the bar in April 2019. A fluent Spanish-speaker, Abigail opened her law firm, Camino Law (named for the pilgrim's road is Spain), in October 2019. With a passion for helping women and families, Camino Law has grown to include 6 attorneys, all women, who are among the most talented and innovative lawyers in the area. Camino Law places a strong emphasis on maintaining work/life balance and providing a relaxed and art-filled office, which includes a dedicated children's room, a Little Free Library and a massage chair. Abigail has been named one of the "50 Most Influential Women in North Carolina" by NC Lawyers Weekly and was named to North Carolina's Legal Elite in 2024. Abigail serves on the Board of Directors of the Children's Law Center of Central North Carolina and is co-chair of the Community Involvement Committee for the Greensboro Bar Association. Abigail received her Bachelor's degree from New York University and her JD from Elon University School of Law.

GOOD GUYS AWARD


On the heels of the inaugural North Carolina GOOD Guys event on March 17th 2023, NCAWA recognizes the importance and need to appreciate the GOOD Guys throughout our state and their dedicated efforts to promoting women lawyers. Given this need, NCAWA annually recognizes a GOOD Guy during its Annual Banquet and celebrates his contributions to the North Carolina legal community. 

 

NCAWA seeks to honor the "GOOD Guys" (Guys Overcoming Obstacles to Diversity) that have shown a dedication to NCAWA’s goals of increasing the effective participation by women in the justice system, in public office, and within the legal profession and promoting the rights of women under the law and the welfare of the women attorneys of North Carolina. A GOOD Guy can be any leader who is demonstrably responsible for increased leadership and career progression opportunities for women and minorities lawyers in their organization and beyond. 

2024 Award Winner

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James Donald "Don" Cowan
1943-2019

James Donald Cowan, Jr., was a nationally-known North Carolina trial lawyer who reached the highest levels of his profession representing Fortune 500 companies and criminal defendants charged with capital crimes.

 

Don’s legal career spanned 43 years, from the jungles of Vietnam, where he served in the U.S. Army Office of Staff Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, to state and federal courtrooms across the United States. He was a highly sought-after lawyer, not only for his expertise across diverse areas of litigation, but also for his ability to master complex concepts of antitrust, intellectual property, and criminal law, and explain them to juries as if they were simple, straightforward, and intuitive ideas. In addition to his trial work, Don was an Adjunct Professor of Trial Practice at Duke University School of Law, and regularly taught seminars on trial practice and evidence to trial judges and lawyers. He served multiple terms on the Wake Forest University Board of Trustees, and as president of the Wake Forest Law Alumni Association.

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