Patterson Harkavy is a sponsor at tonight’s 41st Annual Frank Porter Graham Awards Ceremony, hosted by the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina Legal Foundation.  This year’s honorees are:

Frank Porter Graham Award – Jimmy Creech
ACLU of North Carolina Award – Juvencio Rocha Peralta
Paul Green Award – Jeremy Collins & Charmaine Fuller Cooper

Categories: News of the Firm Tags: Civil Rights, Firm News, Frank Porter Graham Ceremony, NC ACLU, Patterson Harkavy

In a unanimous decision, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the plaintiff could pursue his constitutional claims against the local board of education in Craig v. New Hanover County Board of Education.  Jusitce Hudson, writing for the Court, held that the plaintiff’s constitutional claims could not be barred because the school board enjoyed immunity from other tort claims.   Burton Craige helped to represent the plaintiff on appeal, and argued the case before the Supreme Court.

Categories: Judicial Decisions, Results Tags: Appeals, Burton Craige, Civil Rights, Constitutional Claims, NC Supreme Court, Patterson Harkavy, Results

The North Carolina Supreme Court unanimously reversed the Court of Appeals today, ruling instead for the plaintiff in Helm v. Appalachian State University.  Adopting Judge Calabria’s dissent, the Court held that the plaintiff has stated a valid retalation claim under the state’s Whitleblower Act because she opposed a waste of funds by the university.  Patterson Harkavy represented the plaintiff, Jane Helm, and Burton Craige argued the case before the Supreme Court.

Categories: Judicial Decisions, Results Tags: Burton Craige, Labor and Employment, NC Supreme Court, Patterson Harkavy, Results, Retaliation, Whistleblower Act