Raleigh, NC – Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP is pleased to announce that Melanie Dubis was named the recipient of the Judge David Daniel Award. The recognition from the Federal Bar Association’s Eastern District of North Carolina (EDNC) chapter honors one attorney who has shown a commitment to the legal profession, the EDNC, clients, and the community.
The award was created in 2017 in memory of Judge Daniel who served as a magistrate judge for the United State District Court for the EDNC. It is intended to honor his integrity, commitment, and service to the legal community.
Melanie has made lasting contributions to North Carolina’s business, legal, and educational communities and has served as a mentor to younger attorneys in the firm.
Melanie leads Parker Poe’s Business Litigation Group, overseeing work across several states and at the trial and appellate levels. The team’s work spans complex patent, antitrust, securities, class action, unfair competition, and other business cases. Melanie is lead counsel for the plaintiff school districts in the landmark Leandro case, a long-running lawsuit that established a constitutional right to a sound basic education for all public school students in North Carolina. She is among less than half a percent of all American lawyers invited into the Litigation Counsel of America and also has served on the leadership council for the North Carolina Bar Association's Antitrust & Complex Business Disputes Law Section.
In addition, Melanie has served on the board of directors for the Raleigh Chamber, the Carolina Ballet, the Alliance of AIDS Services – Carolina, and the Girl Scouts of America's NC Coastal Pines Council.
Melanie was "deeply humbled and grateful" to receive an award honoring the judge and the characteristics he embodied over his career.
"Anyone who knew Judge David Daniel knows what an honor it is to be mentioned in the same breath with him," Melanie said.
Melanie and Judge Daniel shared many of the same mentors, including Al Adams, Bob Spearman, and Catharine Biggs Arrowood — Parker Poe’s first female partner. "Those people taught us and modeled for us the value of integrity, commitment, and service to our clients and community, and the passionate pursuit of equal justice under the law," Melanie said.
Melanie exemplifies Judge Daniel’s ideals and is someone who "makes a difference," which was a mantra Judge Daniels’ repeated frequently in his life, said Scott Bayzle, a partner in Parker Poe’s Raleigh office who has worked with Melanie for 20 years.
Scott emphasized Melanie’s significant contributions to the legal profession — she has handled dozens of cases in the EDNC alone — but also her commitment to community service.
"Melanie has played a leading role in driving the education and networking for litigators and antitrust attorneys across our state," Scott said.
Melanie noted how professionals always have someone in their lives that serve as a mentor or guiding force. As this year’s Judge Daniel award recipient, Melanie challenged those around her to serve as role models and to champion young lawyers.
"I challenge you to go outside of your comfort zone and champion talented lawyers who otherwise may not always have someone in their corner," Melanie said. She also said younger lawyers can also turn to those around them, from attorneys to court personnel to paralegals, for guidance and learning.
"If we can foster the values recognized by this award in the next generation, that will be the highest form of service we can give to the court, the Bar, and the community," Melanie said.
About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has more than 275 lawyers in eight offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Washington, DC. The firm provides legal counsel to many of the largest companies and local governments in the Southeast.
Parker Poe is a member of two leading international legal networks: TerraLex and the Employment Law Alliance. TerraLex and the ELA have chosen Parker Poe to help guide clients through the challenges of global business.