On April 15, representatives from the commercial barter industry
will address the Ethics Committee of the North Carolina Bar
Association regarding a proposal that would prohibit attorneys in
that state from participating in barter exchanges. Industry leaders
believe that such a negative stance, if adopted, could spread and
cause problems for the entire commercial barter industry.
Ron Whitney, executive director of the International Reciprocal
Trade Association (IRTA), will be arguing the matter in front of the
Ethics Committee. Maurya Lane, founder and president of the Barter
Business Exchange in Carey (NC), will accompany Whitney.
Additionally, Gary Oshry, President of the National Association of
Trade Exchanges (NATE), has written a letter to the North Carolina
Bar in opposition to the proposed opinion.