Contributing Staff

Smith, Anderson, Blount, Dorsett, Mitchell & Jernigan, LLP

Julian D. (“Bo”) Bobbitt, Jr.
Partner

Mr. Bobbitt’s practice focuses on providing strategic general counsel and regulatory guidance for health care organizations. He is involved in business planning, resolution of complex legal and health policy questions, and advanced negotiations for those clients. He has spoken nationally to both legal and medical audiences and written in both legal and medical journals concerning health law policy issues. Mr. Bobbitt is recognized by Who’s Who in American Law, Best Lawyers in America (Health Care Law), North Carolina Super Lawyers (Health Care), and also is Martindale-Hubbell AV® rated. He is on the Board of Directors for the WakeMed Foundation, Urban Ministries of Wake County, Inc., and Wake County Bar Association. Mr. Bobbitt also belongs to the American Bar Association, North Carolina State Bar, North Carolina Bar Association, American Health Lawyers Association, American Society of Medical Association Counsel, and North Carolina Society of Healthcare Attorneys. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his law degree from the University of Virginia.

North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS)

Stephen W. Keene, JD
General Counsel and Deputy Executive Vice President, Government Affairs and Health Policy

The NCMS was organized in 1849 and is the largest physician organization in the state, representing approximately 12,000 physician members from every specialty and practice setting. Steve is responsible for all public and private sector advocacy programs, medical economics programs, and health policy development for the Society.

He has served as vice chair of the AMA Litigation Center executive committee, and is a past member of the NC Society of Healthcare Attorneys board of directors, and the NC Bar Association health law section council. Steve is currently a member of the Susie M. Sharp Inn of Court.

He received an undergraduate degree in agricultural economics (1980) and master of business administration (1989) from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, and a juris doctor (2000) from North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, North Carolina. Before coming to the North Carolina Medical Society in 1994, he worked in government affairs for the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida and before that was director of the medical economics department of the Florida Medical Association.

Melanie Phelps, JD
Associate Executive Director, NCMS Foundation
Deputy General Counsel, NCMS

Melanie Phelps serves as associate executive director of the NCMS Foundation, and as deputy general counsel for the North Carolina Medical Society, where she has been employed for over 13 years.  Melanie focuses on a wide variety of health policy issues and represents the interests of the physician community in public and private forums.  She provides research on legislative matters and general legal and policy guidance on many of the issues impacting physicians and their practices, including end of life issues and the transition to value-driven health care. 

Melanie currently serves on the Executive and Steering Committees of the North Carolina Partnership for Compassionate Care.  She served on the NC Society of Health Care Attorneys Board of Directors for six years and as president from October 2010 to October 2011. She is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and served for 10 years on the NCBA’s Medico-Legal Liaison Committee.  Melanie also is a member of the American Society of Medical Association Counsel.

Prior to joining the Medical Society in May 2000, she worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina in the Government Affairs Department for over 5 years.

Melanie received her law degree from the evening program at North Carolina Central University School of Law in May 2000 and her NC law license in August 2000.   In March 2013, she received a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, Office of Continuing Studies.   She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Communications and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations.