Will Graebe came to Lawyers Mutual in 1998 as claims counsel. In 2009, Will became the Vice President of the Claims Department and served in that role until 2019. After a two-year sabbatical, Will returned to Lawyers Mutual as claims counsel and relationship manager. In his role as claims counsel, Will focuses primarily on claims related to estates and trusts, business transactions and real estate matters. Will received his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Stetson University. Prior to joining Lawyers Mutual, will worked in private practice with the law firm of Pinna, Johnston & Burwell.
I was an abnormally curious child. I don’t mean the kind of curiosity that suggests intelligence. I mean the type that leads to mischief and trouble. You know, like how hard can I bite down on this glass thermometer before it shatters in my mouth. It turns out that it’s not that hard. And, no, mercury is not absorbed into the bloodstream when you swallow it. This was just one of many misadventures that resulted from my “need to know” things.
Read More
I recently spoke to a lawyer who was representing a client in a litigation matter. The client had fallen on hard times and was having trouble paying basic living expenses. The lawyer had a genuine humanitarian concern for the welfare of this client and had given the client some money to help with gas, food, and… Read More
One of the first cases I handled as a young lawyer was a small claims court breach of contract case in Indiana. I represented a business that sold a fax machine to a lawyer who failed to make payment for the equipment. We sued the lawyer for a whopping $1,243. Before the case was concluded, I left the Indiana law firm to move back to North Carolina. A year or so later, I was contacted by a lawyer representing my former client. He advised that the defendant lawyer had submitted into evidence a letter that appeared to be fabricated. The letter was dated December 7, 1991, and recited that he had spoken with me and that I told him to settle directly with the client for $86.
Read More
I read recently that Brene Brown, when asked to commit to a future activity, turns her ring in a circle three times to pause and ground herself before answering. This caught my attention. How as lawyers do we know when to say “no?” In our demanding worlds, the ability to say "no" is just as essentia… Read More
Rule 1.1 of the North Carolina Rules of Professional Conduct requires a lawyer to have the “legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation” necessary to represent a client in a particular matter. Comment 8 to Rule 1.1 clarifies that this includes an ethical duty of competence in technology. I… Read More
I frequently get calls from lawyers who have been asked to draft testamentary documents for elderly clients who are struggling with serious and sometimes terminal physical health issues and/or questionable cognitive abilities or dementia. Many times, the lawyer has been contacted by a child, spouse, or other fa… Read More
Defending any client in a courtroom is a complex and multifaceted endeavor. When it comes to representing clients with a pronounced victim mentality, the challenges intensify. The intersection of psychology, jury perception, and legal strategy forms a unique landscape that defense lawyers must navigate meticulo… Read More
On December 7, 1970, my mom woke my brother and me up to tell us that our dad had been hit by a car and killed the night before. They had been out to dinner, and, when my dad stepped out of the car and into the street, a drunk driver hit him. I was 7 years old when this happened.
Read More
Mindfulness practices have been touted as a therapeutic tool to address stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic pain, and a whole host of other mental health issues. Numerous studies support many of these claims. But is it the best coping mechanism for people who are suffering from prolonged periods of stres… Read More
The impact of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina is hard to comprehend. The images are heartbreaking. There is loss of life, homes, businesses, and entire communities. Hundreds of people are still missing, and many are still stranded. The recovery will take years. It all feels overwhelming.
As lawyer… Read More
According to a recent study published in Nature Aging, aging is not a gradual process but occurs in distinct phases. Researchers from Nanyang Technological University and Stanford University analyzed data from a longitudinal cohort of 108 participants and found that age-related changes in metabolism happen at s… Read More
A recent American Bar Association report noted that nearly two-thirds of private practice lawyers are allowed to work remotely 100% of the time or have the option of choosing their own schedule... One lawyer who capitalized on this new opportunity is Jeff Austin. Jeff turned his remote work opportunity into an adventure by living and working remotely in Patagonia for a year.
Read More
We all live busy lives. We have firm meetings, Zoom meetings, client meetings, social functions, court dates, and a whole host of personal commitments. We have work and personal email accounts, text strings, phone calls and a variety of other conversations throughout our day. It is easy to get overwhelm… Read More
The legal profession has long been associated with high levels of stress, burnout, and substance abuse. Historically, mental health and mental illness have been taboo subjects in the legal profession.
A significant shift in perspective has occurred, at least when it comes to talking about mental health. … Read More
The Paris 2024 Olympics have been a spectacle not just of athletic prowess, but also of a more subtle, yet equally compelling competition: the battle for sportsmanship. As lawyers, we are accustomed to the thrill of victory, the sting of defeat, and the relentless pursuit of winning. Yet, the Olympics have offe… Read More
