Appeal from an order terminating parental rights pursuant to N.C.G.S. 7B-1111(a)(1); whether the trial court's findings of facts are supported by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence; whether the trial court's findings of fact support its conclusion of law that grounds exist to terminate parental rights on the basis of neglect.

Termination of parental rights; whether the trial court abused its discretion by failing to consider the availability of a potential relative placement at disposition.

Swiftly enacted state legislation; constitutional challenge; meaning of Right to Instruct Clause

medical malpractice; proximate cause; intervening negligence

Probation, Extension, Written Findings

Petition to partition; reimbursement to co-tenant; statutes of limitations: NCGS 1-52(1) and NCGS 1-56; burden on summary judgment; presumption of validity of marriage; laches as an affirmative defense, NCGS 1A-1, Rule 8(c).

Unemployment benefits; ambiguous employee statements or actions; statutory meaning of left work

sufficiency of evidence for appellate review - motion to dismiss appeal; racial discrimination in use of peremptory challenges in jury selection - prima facie claim - Batson v Kentucky

probation revocation; probationer's right to confrontation at revocation hearing

Voluntary Intoxication, Jury Instruction

Second-degree murder; NCGS 8-53; NCGS 90-21.20B(a1); malice; excessive speed; reckless driving.

Default judgment as Rule 37 discovery sanction; Rule 59 motion tolled period to notice appeal; argument to reverse default judgment unpreserved; retirement of trial judge rendered Rule 59 motion unreviewable below; Rule 59 motion denied

Career State employee; After-acquired-evidence doctrine (McKennon rule); Procedural due process requirements.

void confession of judgment; confession of judgment violated seizure order; N.C. Captive Insurance Act; judicial estoppel

Negligence; Construction Equipment Roll-Away; Liability of Real Estate Developer; Theories of Legal Duty

Child custody modification; Child support modification; Civil contempt

Constitutional right to Education, Leandro, DOT v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education

corporate fraud; fraudulent transfer; piercing the corporate veil; unfair and deceptive trade practices