Poyner Spruill LLP is pleased to announce that partner Bob Hagemann received the Ernest H. Ball Award for Excellence in Municipal Law at the recent North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys (NCAMA) Summer Conference in Asheville, North Carolina. In addition, Hagemann and fellow Poyner Spruill partner Drew Erteschik were part of a presentation entitled, “Dealing With the Media: Best Practices for City Attorneys” during the three-day conference.
Hagemann joins a distinguished list of recipients of the Ernest H. Ball Award, which is given to individuals deemed to exhibit the characteristics of the award’s namesake in providing outstanding legal services to local governments.
“I am extremely honored to have my work recognized in this manner, and I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on colleagues who have helped me reach this point in my career,” Hagemann said. “I’m thankful to have spent so much of my career in government law, and I appreciate the opportunity to continue this meaningful work at a firm with Poyner Spruill’s reputation of excellence in this practice area.”
Erteschik moderated the CLE presentation on media relations with Hagemann, Winston-Salem City Attorney Angela Carmon, North Carolina League of Municipalities Director of Political Communications & Coordination Scott Mooneyham, and former Executive Editor of The Charlotte Observer Rick Thames participating in the panel discussion.
Hagemann brought more than 30 years of legal experience to Poyner Spruill when he joined the firm August 1. He spent the previous 24 years as an attorney with the city of Charlotte, starting as an assistant city attorney in January 1995 and moving up into the roles of senior assistant city attorney, senior deputy city attorney, and city attorney during his tenure. He is a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, a past president of the North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys, a past North Carolina state chair of the International Municipal Attorneys Association, and a recipient of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition Sunshine Award.
Erteschik’s practice at Poyner Spruill focuses on high-stakes litigation and appeals. His clients include some of North Carolina’s largest cities, counties, and state agencies, and he is frequently called upon to take the lead in their most sensitive and closely watched cases. Drew serves in a number of leadership roles within the Bar, including as chair of the NCBA Appellate Rules Committee. He is a board-certified appellate specialist, and he began his career clerking for Justice (later Chief Justice) Mark D. Martin of the North Carolina Supreme Court.
