News & Notices

The State Bar has received reports of TOAD attacks against lawyers’ trust accounts. TOAD is an acronym for telephone-oriented attack delivery. Perpetrators engage in phishing attacks against lawyers or law firm staff to trick them into disclosing confidential information, allowing the perpetrators to gain online access to trust accounts.

We’ve been made aware of a phishing email impersonating Peter Bolac, secretary & executive director of the State Bar. The message appears to come from “Peter Bolac” but uses a fake email address ending in @ncbar.sendcrp.com.

A message from State Bar Executive Director about events that will affect the North Carolina Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts (NC IOLTA) program for 2026.

Please be aware of a fraudulent email currently circulating with the subject line “Action Required – NC BAR Code of Ethics Notice.”

Katherine Frye, a Raleigh family law attorney, has been sworn in as president of the North Carolina State Bar on October 30, 2025.

Vasiliki (Celia) Pistolis was presented with the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award on October 7, 2025, in Chapel Hill, NC during Legal Aid's Statewide Summit. The award was presented by former North Carolina State Bar Executive Director Alice Mine and former State Bar President John Silverstein. Ashley Campbell, CEO of Legal Aid of North Carolina, also participated in the presentation.

Donald R. Vaughan was presented with the John B. McMillan Distinguished Service Award on September 18, 2025, at Starmount Forest Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.