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PLS Staff Attorney Appointed President of Buncombe County Bar
In a time when divisiveness seems to be rampant, Pisgah Legal attorney and current Buncombe County Bar President Anne Salter is proud of her fellow Bar members and the culture of civility and cooperation that exists between them. “Even though we may be appearing on opposing sides of a case, we are kind, courteous and professional to each other,” says Anne.
Since 2016, Anne has been a staff attorney at Pisgah Legal Services. For the last two years she has been embedded at Mountain Area Health and Education Center (MAHEC). “My office is at MAHEC OBGYN and I accept referrals for civil legal aid from MAHEC providers. I see patients and address their legal issues relating to social determinants of health such as housing, income, family stability, legal status, and debtor creditor issues. All those areas impact patient health a great deal.”
In June 2019, Anne was appointed President of the Buncombe County Bar after serving on the Executive Committee for five years. “Becoming President is a three-year process,” says Anne. “You are Vice-President, President-Elect, then President.”
The Buncombe County Bar, with a membership of more than 700 attorneys, is a subdivision of the North Carolina State Bar. It serves as the mandatory Bar for all attorneys in Buncombe County.
Goals for 2020
As Bar President, Anne oversees a myriad of programs including arranging monthly events and trainings, supervising the finances and day-to-day activities, facilitating meetings and strategic planning, cultivating a wellness program and creating opportunities for networking.
When asked about her goals for her tenure as Bar President, Anne was quick to respond. “I have three areas I want to focus on. The first initiative was a request on behalf of the Executive Committee for a safe and private space for nursing mothers. Judge Hill generously granted that space. Secondly, I want to focus on providing a wide variety of affordable Continuing Legal Education trainings to our members. And finally, I will continue the emphasis on wellness and be sure our members have the opportunities they need to stay mentally and physically healthy.”
Anne is the second Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) staff member to serve as Bar President and recognizes the value that being a part of PLS brings to the position. “Historically, Pisgah Legal and the Bar have been closely tied together, as Pisgah Legal Services was created by the Bar and has been sustained by it to this day,” says Anne. “Part of my role is to share the history with new attorneys and explain the importance Pisgah Legal plays in the community. I get to meet new members and strengthen relationships with our volunteer attorneys. The fellowship that we share is the cornerstone of what makes Buncombe County a great place to practice law.”