McDowell Named 2013 Citizen Lawyer
Litigation Member Valecia McDowell was named a 2013 recipient of the North Carolina Bar Association’s (NCBA) Citizen Lawyer Award. McDowell and the 12 other 2013 honorees were presented with their awards on Friday, June 21, at the NCBA Annual Meeting in Asheville.
The NCBA Citizen Lawyer Award was established in 2007 to recognize lawyers who provide exemplary public service to their communities. Honorees include elected and appointed government officials, coaches, mentors and voluntary leaders of nonprofit, civic and community organizations.
“We are thrilled for Valecia to receive the Citizen Lawyer Award recognition, and believe her to be a truly deserving recipient. She is a respected leader and catalyst within both the community and the Firm. She has the keen ability to inspire others and motivate action,” stated Moore & Van Allen Chairman Ernie Reigel.
McDowell gained the respect of her colleagues not only through her regulatory defense and complex litigation practice, but also through her demonstrated leadership and ongoing civic engagement. She is currently Co-Chair of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Cultural Life Task Force, a partnership between the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Mecklenburg School System, Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, Foundation for the Carolinas, and Arts and Sciences Council.
In addition, McDowell currently sits on the board of Council for Children’s Rights, the Community Building Initiative, and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, and was most recently invited to serve on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School’s Cultural Competence Framework Task Force and the Z. Smith Reynolds’ Community Leadership Council.
Internally, McDowell serves as co-chair of Moore & Van Allen’s Diversity Committee and is the immediate past co-chair of the Hiring Committee. She also continues to make a personal investment within the career trajectories of the Firm’s female and minority associates, and holds Firm leadership accountable for implementing retention and promotion efforts that advance the diversity of the Firm’s leadership.