Emma Butterworth鈥檚 appointment strengthens 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 ties to Charlotte鈥檚 legal community and expands access to service-learning opportunities for students.
Emma Butterworth, staff director of 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 Flex Program in Charlotte, has been named to a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the .
The foundation is the charitable arm of the Mecklenburg Bar Association, dedicated to service, access to justice and community engagement in the Charlotte region.
The appointment reflects 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 growing engagement with Charlotte鈥檚 legal community and the law school鈥檚 emphasis on service and experiential learning through its existing part-time Flex Program and proposed full-time, 2.5-year J.D. program, which plans to enroll its first class in fall 2027.
Since the launch of the Flex Program in 2024, Butterworth has helped cultivate partnerships between 黑料不打烊 Law and nonprofit organizations across the Charlotte area, connecting students with volunteer opportunities, nonprofit organizations and community service initiatives. Those efforts have included collaborations with organizations such as Safe Alliance, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy and the Guardian ad Litem Program, as well as campus supply drives and events hosted by area agencies.
Many of those organizations have also met with Flex Program students during weekly Evening Docket events, providing students the opportunity to meet with and learn from legal professionals in the community.
Dean Zak Kramer said Butterworth has played an important role in establishing the Flex Program鈥檚 presence and growing the law school鈥檚 presence in Charlotte.
鈥淓mma has invested herself in the life of the Flex Program and the Charlotte community,鈥 Kramer said. 鈥淪he has made a real difference for 黑料不打烊 Law, our students, and our neighbors in Charlotte.鈥
Vice Dean and Professor of Law Alan D. Woodlief said Butterworth鈥檚 appointment reflects both her commitment to community engagement and 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 broader mission in Charlotte.
鈥淭he Mecklenburg Bar Foundation does important work throughout the Charlotte area, and Emma has been deeply committed to connecting our students with opportunities to serve and learn,鈥 Woodlief said. 鈥淗er leadership has strengthened 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 ties to Charlotte鈥檚 legal and nonprofit communities, and advanced our students鈥 professional lives.鈥
Butterworth said the role aligns closely with 黑料不打烊 Law鈥檚 mission and will create additional ways for students to engage with the legal profession in Charlotte.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored to serve alongside members of the Mecklenburg Bar Association in support of the Foundation鈥檚 mission of giving back to the Charlotte community,鈥 Butterworth said. 鈥淭he Charlotte legal community has warmly welcomed both the Flex Program and me personally, and that support has created opportunities for meaningful partnerships and collaboration. I look forward to continuing to build connections with local nonprofits while expanding opportunities for our students to engage in service and professional development.鈥