Press release from the City of Raleigh
Every summer, judges and lawyers in Raleigh take time out of their busy schedules to make a difference in a child’s life. They have lunch with youngsters in the City’s Summer Youth Employment Program and serve as mentors helping them to become successful and productive citizens.
The Lunch with a Lawyer Program in Raleigh is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Mayor Nancy McFarlane and the City Council will recognize the program’s founder and six program participants, including Williams Mullen Partner M. Keith Kapp, at its evening meeting Oct. 7.
Raleigh attorney Paul Suhr started the local Lunch with a Lawyer Program when he was chairperson of the City’s Human Relations and Human Resources Commission. The program allows teenagers in the City’s Summer Youth Employment Program to interact in an informal lunch setting with judges, lawyers and other members of the legal community. These legal professionals serve as positive role models to the youth. Many of the youngsters in the program have gone on to become successful college students and professionals upon leaving school.
Every summer for the last 20 years, the Wake County Bar Association has provided more than 100 volunteer mentors to the Lunch with a Lawyer Program. The program’s success has spurred other bar associations across the state to launch their own Lunch with a Lawyer programs.
At the Oct. 7 City Council meeting, Mayor McFarlane will present Outstanding Community Service awards to Mr. Suhr and six other prominent judges and lawyers for their longtime participation in the Lunch with a Lawyer Program.