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Diana Santos Johnson and Jennifer Lyday Recognized as Board Certified Specialists in Bankruptcy Law

Waldrep Wall is pleased to announce that attorneys Diana Santos Johnson and Jennifer Lyday have been recognized by the North Carolina State Bar as Board Certified Specialists in Bankruptcy Law. Diana and Jennifer qualified for specialization in consumer bankruptcy and business bankruptcy, respectively. 

 

The Board of Legal Specialization within the North Carolina State Bar identifies lawyers to the public who have demonstrated special knowledge, skill, and proficiency in a specific field. The board currently certifies lawyers in the areas of appellate practice, bankruptcy law, child welfare, criminal law (including juvenile delinquency), elder law, estate planning and probate law, family law, immigration law, privacy and information security law, real property law, social security disability law, trademark law, utilities law and workers’ compensation law. 

Applicants for certification must meet the following minimum requirements:

  • The applicant must be licensed in a jurisdiction of the United States for at least five years immediately preceding his or her application and must be licensed in North Carolina for at least three years immediately preceding his or her application. The applicant must also be in good standing to practice law in North Carolina and the applicant’s disciplinary record with the courts, the North Carolina State Bar, and any other government licensing agency must support qualification in the specialty;
  • The applicant must be substantially involved in the practice area, usually for a minimum of five years;
  • The applicant must take a certain number of continuing legal education credits in the specialty area during the three years prior to application;
  • The applicant must make a satisfactory showing of qualification in the specialty through peer review;
  • The applicant must achieve a satisfactory score on a written examination in the practice area.

Waldrep Wall Attorneys Present at the 45th Annual Middle District Bankruptcy Seminar

Waldrep Wall attorneys Jennifer Lyday, Diana Santos Johnson, and Cassidy Willard attended the 45th annual Middle District Bankruptcy Seminar, which took place May 2–3, 2025, in Aberdeen, N.C. Jennifer and Diana gave presentations with assistance from Cassidy throughout the seminar. Waldrep Wall is a proud sponsor of the seminar.

On May 2, Jennifer, along with Vicki Parrott of Northen Blue LLP, presented a session titled “Fourth Circuit Gone Wild.” Jennifer is a member of the board of Chapter 11 Subchapter V Trustees for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of North Carolina.

On May 3, Diana and Brooks Pierce attorney Jamey Lowdermilk presented “Bankruptcy Rules Jeopardy.” Diana and Jamey co-chair the Bankruptcy Section Pro Bono Committee for the North Carolina Bar Association.

Waldrep Wall’s Bankruptcy Team Speaks at the 47th Annual Bankruptcy Institute

From November 15-16, 2024, many members of the Waldrep Wall’s bankruptcy team attended the North Carolina Bar Association’s (NCBA) 47th Annual Bankruptcy Institute in Wrightsville Beach, NC.  At the Annual Bankruptcy Institute, Jim Lanik and Ciara Rogers presented on November 16, 2024, at the following sessions:  

  

How to Use AI to Benefit Your Practice 

Koury L. Hicks, Law Offices of John T. Orcutt, Durham  

James C. “Jim” Lanik, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, Winston-Salem 

  

Session Description: 

Explore the practical uses and ethical considerations of integrating AI into bankruptcy law practice. This session covers a newly proposed ethics opinion on AI and explores the real-world applications and potential pitfalls for attorneys and their staff. 

  

What About the Taxes? 

Hunter E. Fritz, North Carolina Department of Justice Revenue Section, Raleigh 

Benjamin Higgins, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of NC, Raleigh 

Ciara L. Rogers, Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC, Raleigh 

  

Session Description: 

Tax issues can complicate any bankruptcy, whether consumer or business. This panel discusses issues practitioners may face, such as how to deal with IRS claims for estimated taxes, the debtor’s tax obligations (including withholding taxes), responsibility for filing pre-petition returns post-petition, ERC tax credit, and, of course, dischargeability. 

  

Additionally, Diana Santos Johnson presented the 2024 Outstanding Achievement in Pro Bono Award at the Annual Bankruptcy Institute.   

  

Waldrep Wall is very active in the NCBA Bankruptcy Section and holds the following leadership roles:  

  

Attorneys Jennifer Lyday, Ciara Rogers, and Kylie Hamilton Attended the Annual Meeting of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges

Waldrep Wall attorneys Jennifer Lyday, Ciara Rogers, and Kylie Hamilton recently attended the Annual Meeting of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges (NCBJ) in Seattle, Wa.

The mission of the NCBJ is to promote the interests of United States Bankruptcy Judges generally; to utilize their expertise on issues of bankruptcy law and procedure to improve the administration of the bankruptcy system; to foster scholarship, collegiality and diversity among members of the bankruptcy bench and bar; and to provide opportunities for education and networking for bankruptcy judges and the bankruptcy community at large.

 

Waldrep Wall congratulates Kylie Hamilton for being invited to participate in the prestigious NCBJ 2024 Next Generation program. This honor is for select attorneys with fewer than ten years of practice and who have demonstrated a strong commitment to civility, ethics, and professionalism in their bankruptcy law practice. Jennifer Lyday and Ciara Rogers are alumni of the Next Generation Program.

  

The Next Generation Program hosted around 50 up-and-coming bankruptcy practitioners for exclusive NextGen events including: 

  • A judicial roundtable event featuring bankruptcy judges from across the nation 
  • A small-group lunch with experienced bankruptcy practitioners 
  • A networking reception and dinner to build contacts and relationships with NextGen alumni 
  • A social outing to discover Seattle with NextGen’rs and judges 
  • Future opportunities to participate as panelists with judges and other practitioners in educational offerings during the NCBJ Annual Meetings

Associate Cassidy Willard Joins Our Firm

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is excited to announce that Cassidy Willard has joined our firm as an Associate in our Winston-Salem office, adding strength to our bankruptcy, business law, and litigation teams.

Cassidy joined Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC as an Associate in 2024. Prior to that, she was a Summer Associate and 3L Law Clerk at the firm. Cassidy received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and International Affairs from Wake Forest University, graduating cum laude. While at Wake Forest, Cassidy was an active member and leader in Alpha Phi Omega, Rotaract, and Wake Saturdays. She also served as a Guardian ad Litem in Forsyth County, which inspired her to attend law school.

Cassidy earned her law degree from Campbell University, where she graduated magna cum laude. While attending Campbell University, Cassidy was a Willem C. Vis Moot Court team member, interned at the North Carolina Supreme Court, and served as a Teaching Assistant for Advanced Legal Writing and Real Property courses. Cassidy received awards for the highest grade earned in Current Appellate Issues, Mergers & Acquisitions, UCC Article 2 & 2A: Sales & Leases, International Business Transactions, and Homeowners Associations. Upon graduation, she received the Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake, Jr. Constitutional Law Award for demonstrated excellence in constitutional law.

Attorney Diana Santos Johnson Attends 2024 Hispanic National Bar Association Annual Convention

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC Attorney Diana Santos Johnson attended the 2024 Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) Annual Convention from Sep 4-6 in Washington, D.C. This event featured programming and networking opportunities for Hispanic attorneys, law students, judges, and other legal professionals.

The HNBA is a prestigious national association that brings together attorneys, judges, law students, and other legal professionals to educate, engage, and empower members of the Hispanic legal community. The association is also a strong advocate for issues impacting the broader Hispanic community.

In 2023, Diana received the HNBA’s “Top Lawyers Under 40” Award. This award celebrates and highlights the accomplishments and contributions of HNBA members who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession. The award honors lawyers who have demonstrated professional excellence, integrity, leadership, commitment to the Hispanic community, and dedication to improving the legal profession.

Learn more about the HNBA and the convention here.

NCBA Selects Attorney Diana Santos Johnson for Citizen Lawyer Award

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC Attorney Diana Santos Johnson was named in the North Carolina Bar Association’s Citizen Lawyer Class of 2024. The Citizen Lawyer Award celebrates role models in the legal profession who invest in their communities by volunteering their time and talents to advance worthy causes. 

Diana was recognized for her volunteer efforts with Piedmont Advantage Credit Union (PACU), Smart Start of Forsyth County, Inc., and the Hispanic League, as well as her involvement in the North Carolina Bar Association’s Minorities in the Profession Committee and the Women in the Profession Committee. 

In addition to this award, Diana has previously received various professional honors, including the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Honorable Cornelius Blackshear Fellowship in 2012, NCCU Young and Rising Alumni in 2013, NC Lawyers Weekly Leader in the Law in 2017, American Bankruptcy Institute’s 40 Under 40 Class in 2021, Hispanic National Bar Association’s 2023 “Top Lawyer under 40,” and recognition as Legal Elite by Business North Carolina Magazine

WWBB Attorneys Present at the 44th Annual Middle District Bankruptcy Seminar

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC Attorneys Jim Lanik, Jennifer Lyday and Diana Santos Johnson attended the 44th Annual Middle District Bankruptcy Seminar in Aberdeen, NC over the weekend of April 12 – 13, 2024. Jim presented on “Ethics – Technology Credit AI and Your Bankruptcy Practice,” with Attorney Koury Hicks of the Law Offices of John T. Orcutt. Diana presented an Evidence Jeopardy Game with Attorney Jamey Lowdermilk of Brooks Pierce. Jennifer is on the board of the Middle District Bankruptcy Seminar. Thank you for presenting and proudly representing our firm!

Associate Kylie L. Hamilton Joins Our Firm

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC is excited to announce that Kylie L. Hamilton has joined our firm as our newest Associate. Kylie brings with her a strong background in business insolvency and commercial bankruptcy law.

Kylie joined Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC as an Associate in 2024. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and History from Alma College in Alma, Michigan, graduating Magna Cum Laude in April 2017. Kylie earned her Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2020. While attending, she was a member of the Manuscripts Committee for the Wake Forest Journal of Law & Policy, participated in the Veterans Legal Clinic and was an executive board member for the Pro Bono Society and Public Interest Law Organization (PILO).

Prior to joining our firm, Kylie was a term law clerk to Chief Judge Scott W. Dales of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Michigan in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Click here to learn more about Kylie.

International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation”IWIRC in the Blue Ridge Mountains” Conference

Waldrep Wall Babcock & Bailey PLLC Attorneys Jennifer Lyday and Diana Santos Johnson and Paralegal Kate Hayden recently attended the International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation “IWIRC in the Blue Ridge Mountains” Conference. However, it wasn’t all business. They were able to break away for a little fun and relaxation as well! Our firm was proud and excited to participate in the event as a Breakfast Sponsor!