RALEIGH — Campbell Law School Dean J. Rich Leonard has announced the addition of seven legal and industry leaders to the law school’s Board of Visitors.
Ryan S. Boyce, Evin Grant ‘16, The Honorable Jane Powell Gray ‘79, Donald W. Marcari ‘85, Charles “Ches” F. McDowell ‘14, J. Cary Tharrington IV ‘92 and J. Merritt White III ‘87 will all serve two-year terms on the board. John M. McCabe, a 1994 Campbell Law graduate, continues to serve as the board’s chair.
Boyce has been the director of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) since April 4, 2023. In his role, Boyce manages and oversees the administrative services provided to the Judicial Branch’s more than 6,500 employees and hundreds of courthouses and facilities in every county of the state.
Grant serves as the N.C. Department of Administration (NCDOA) Policy, Strategy & External Relations Director to develop and assist in implementing policies and procedures for departments, initiatives, and task forces, across the State of North Carolina, under the direction of the Secretary of Administration.
Gray is a former district court judge for Wake County, where she served from 2002 until her retirement in 2012. After working at the N.C. Department of Justice from 1980 through 1998, Gray served as general counsel for the office of the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives before being appointed as a judge.
Marcari is the Senior Managing Partner at Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban. He first gained national attention when working as defense attorney with the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps became the basis for “A Few Good Men.” He has concentrated on plaintiff personal injury law and civil litigation since 1985.
McDowell launched Checkmate Government Relations, a bipartisan firm of well-known lobbyists and public affairs professionals, in December 2023. He focuses primarily on the N.C. General Assembly and the N.C. Congressional Delegation. He has been selected as one of the top 10 lobbyists in the state
Tharrington serves as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Speedway Motorsports. Tharrington has been the company’s Chief of Legal Office since April 2016. Tharrington joined Speedway Motorsports as General Counsel in January 2006.
White is a partner in the firm of Hartsell & Williams P.A, with more than 29 years of trial experience concentrating in Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly and Mecklenburg counties. He has successfully handled and tried cases involving family law, domestic law, personal injury, and all civil litigation.
Four first-year Campbell Law students — the recipients of the law school’s highly competitive, full-tuition scholarships — also joined the board this year as ex-officio members. Those students are Lydia Peterson, the Janette Soles Nelson Public Service Scholar; Jason Thomas, the Ben and Patrice Thompson Achievement Scholar; Caitlin Heidel, the Cheshire Schneider Advocacy Scholar; and Awa Mbai, the Leary and Joy Davis Leadership Scholar.
Campbell Law’s Board of Visitors helps the dean, faculty and staff develop strategic planning, launch new efforts around the law school and community and often act as a think-tank for many of the projects undertaken throughout the academic year.
Learn more about the Board of Visitors at this link.
ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW
Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion, and professional competence, and who view the law as a calling to serve others. Among its accolades, the school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation’s top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation’s best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts nearly 5,0000 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2024, Campbell Law is celebrating 45 years of graduating legal leaders and 15 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina’s Capital City.