As we mark our 75^th anniversary, I am reminded of the values that have allowed our Firm to endure, adapt, and grow across generations of lawyers, clients, and challenges.  I am honored to be part of a Firm that began during the Truman administration and is still going strong through the age of artificial intelligence. 

Over the decades, we have navigated significant change. The law itself has evolved, as have the clients we serve and the world around us.  I take great pride in the lawyers that have been a part of our Firm and have literally written many of the laws and argued many of the cases that are a bedrock of our statutes and common law in North Carolina.   Through the years, we have expanded into new areas, embraced new technologies, and welcomed diverse perspectives that have made us stronger. Each generation has left its mark, not by abandoning what came before them, but by growing and building on the work of others.  This anniversary is an opportunity to acknowledge those who came before us. Their influence is woven into everything we do. We owe them a debt of gratitude — not only for the practices they helped build, but for the example they set.

At the same time, we are excited about the future. The legal profession continues to change at an accelerating pace. Technology is reshaping how legal services are delivered. The next generation of lawyers bring with them different perspectives based on lives lived in an increasingly interconnected world dominated by technology.  These changes are not obstacles; they are opportunities to blend with our historic Firm culture to create something uniquely ours.  Our task is to preserve the Firm and steward it in the face of constant change — and ensure that it remains relevant for current and future generations.  

As managing partner, I am confident in where we are and where we are going. We have the talent, the culture, and the commitment to continue thriving in the years ahead.  Seventy-five years is remarkable accomplishment worthy of celebration.  It is also a reminder that what we build is meant to last beyond us.

Thank you to everyone — past and present — who have been part of this journey. The best chapters of this Firm’s story are still being written.

–Brian Edlin, Managing Partner