As a social worker, Billie Guthrie was drawn into all the factors at play in her clients’ struggles. As a Social Security Disability attorney for The Deuterman Law Group, she is laser-focused on getting clients the benefits they deserve. Tune in to this conversation with host Amber Nimocks as Billie reflects on her unique journey to making “tangible differences” in clients’ lives. And attend the NCAJ’s upcoming day-long CLE, "Social Security Disability Updates and Practical Pointers for 2025 and Beyond," to learn more about her strategies and insights. Held at NCAJ’s Raleigh headquarters, the September 18 event will kick-off the fall season of in-person, member-led CLE programming.

Billie’s topic for the CLE is strengthening cases involving mental health impairments and substance abuse, but email her if you’re attending and have a question.

Name: Billie Guthrie

Connect: LinkedIn

[03:00] Clear Path in Mind: Billie intentionally attended Appalachian State to earn a Bachelor's of Social Work because it fast-tracked her to earn an MSW.

[06:22] Social Justice: Billie didn’t know much about what a social worker actually does – but she knew the vocation aligned with her values.

[08:48] Club Nova Experience: Billie details her meaningful work at a psychiatric rehabilitation program for adults with severe and persistent mental illness.

[12:07] Critical Choice: As she entered her MSW program, Billie faced a choice: Did she want to do therapy or policy-based work? She chose the latter.

[14:14] Policy Advocacy: One of Billie’s first policy roles was with a project called Reclaiming Futures, which focused on fixing the preschool-to-prision pipeline.

[15:40] Law School: Billie explains how her desire to learn more and be more effective drove her to attend Central's evening program while working full time.

[18:30] The Motivation: Billie’s transition to law was inspired by seeing how systems confined efforts to help people. “I saw: This person's success in the community is only going to go so far if our systems are set up in the way that they're set up.”

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Voices of NCAJ features members of the North...

Curiosity has driven Leslie’s Leake’s remarkable career, which NCAJ recently celebrated with the awarding of its prestigious Robby Price Award. The lead paralegal for the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, Leslie said her advice to up-and-coming paralegals who want to stay engaged in their careers: Keep asking questions. “Stay curious,” she says. Her nominator described her as an “unspoken hero.” In this conversation with host Amber Nimocks, Leslie shares her path from defense to plaintiff's work, tales from the frontlines (including climbing on file cabinets and facing down barking dogs), and lessons learned from serving everyone from judges to clients in shackles.

Name: Leslie Leake, Law Offices of James Scott Farrin

Connect: LinkedIn

[01:52] Early Start: Leslie became a deputy clerk of court at just 18, making her the youngest courtroom clerk in her district before even graduating high school.

[02:15] On-the-Job Training: One minute, she’d be working with a judge or probation officer. The next, she’d be listening to a person in shackles explaining why they’re in court that day.

[05:48] An Invaluable Skill: At the clerk’s office, “you have DAs coming at you. The public’s asking to see you. The judge is asking you questions. It taught me how to remain calm.”

[08:30] “Briefs Do Not Scare Me”: While working for a defense attorney, Leslie became immersed in detailed research on insurance policies. There, she learned the importance of precise writing, right down to where to place a comma.

[11:30] “Am I Limiting Myself?”: In her early 40s, Leslie pursued her business administration and law degree while working full time, often studying until 3 a.m.

[15:21] Taking Risks: Working in James Scott Farrin's Triage Department, Leslie once faced down barking dogs to retrieve surveillance footage that would help a client's case.

[17:15] Giving Back: As a mentor to young paralegals, Leslie emphasizes the importance of understanding why you're doing tasks, not just following templates, because there are consequences for mistakes.

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Voices of NCAJ features members of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice talking about what it means to be a trial lawyer, what it takes to be great at the practice of law and how being a part of NCAJ enriches their lives and their careers.

Members of NCAJ belong to a nonprofit, nonpartisan association of legal professionals dedicated to empowering a strong community of trial lawyers to protect people, prevent injustice and promote fairness. Membership affords many benefits and we’re proud to offer discounts and opportunities thanks to our tremendous community of sponsors and partners....

Rosa Antunez Boatwright, an immigrant from Honduras, was excited to attend community college in her new Florida home – until the college rescinded its acceptance because of her immigration status. Fast forward years later. Today, she is a personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin and the incoming chair of NCAJ's Hispanic/Latino Legal Issues Division. In this conversation with host Amber Nimocks, Rosa explains how national and local legislation affecting the Hispanic community means that all lawyers need to be “on our toes.” “If we need to get together next week because of something that happened this week, we need to be able to do that and have those open discussions,” she says. Tune in to learn about Rosa’s journey from Honduras, her path from paralegal to lawyer, and her experience as an NCAJ NEXT Leadership Program fellow.

Name: Rosa Antunez Boatwright

Connect: LinkedIn

[01:38] Idyllic Childhood: Rosa describes growing up in Honduras' capital surrounded by mountains, with her father owning a candy factory and her mother was a psychologist.

[03:06] Hurricane Mitch: In 1998, Hurricane Mitch devastated Rosa’s family's candy factory and forced them to move to the United States.

[06:33] “We Can’t Enroll You”: She was accepted to community college, made the cheerleading team, and then came the letter. “Nevermind. We can’t enroll you.” Why? Because of her immigration status.

[09:02] The Ad Said “Paralegal”: Her first job was as a medical secretary for a chiropractor. It came in handy when she wanted to pivot to law: a firm sought someone with medical experience to join them as a paralegal.

[12:49] Breakthrough Case: Rosa convinced a judge that an unmarried couple was common law married under South Carolina law, securing recovery for the surviving partner and children.

[15:04] NEXT Leadership Program: Rosa describes the transformative experience of the NCAJ NEXT program that prepared her for introspective leadership both personally and professionally.

[17:26] Leadership Goals: Rosa outlines her plans for multiple roundtables and responsive meetings to help attorneys navigate challenging legislation and government changes affecting Hispanic clients.

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Voices of NCAJ features members of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice talking about what it means to be a trial lawyer, what it takes to be great at the practice of law and how being a part of NCAJ enriches their lives and their careers.

Members of NCAJ belong to a nonprofit, nonpartisan...