DeWitt F. McCarley

Mac McCarley concentrates his practice in advising local governments and private sector clients in regulatory and public policy matters.

Prior to joining Parker Poe, he served as city attorney for the City of Charlotte for 17 years. Before his employment with the City of Charlotte, he held the position of city attorney with the City of Greenville, N.C., for 14 years and served as the assistant general counsel for the North Carolina League of Municipalities in Raleigh. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. He is also certified as a mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission.

Mac was a member of the 1995 and 2010 North Carolina Legislative Study Commissions on Annexation where he represented municipal interests.

Additionally, he is a frequent speaker at professional conferences on media relations and general negotiation skills.

Representative Experience

Negotiated the return of an NBA franchise to Charlotte and the arena construction and operating agreements between the team and the city.
Represented the City of Hendersonville on the development agreement for the renovation of the Grey Hosiery Mill into 35 downtown apartments (awarded 2021 Best Adaptive Reuse Project by the NC Main Street Program).
Led the city negotiation team working with NASCAR on agreement to construct and operate the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Represented the city on railroad operating and construction agreements for initial Charlotte area transit system light rail project.
Negotiated the contract between the city and the Democratic National Committee for the 2012 Democratic National Convention to be held in Charlotte.
Represented the City of Charlotte in intervention motions in South Carolina v. North Carolina, 130 S.Ct. 854 (2010), an original jurisdiction water rights case in the U. S. Supreme Court.
Represented the City of Wilmington, N.C., in minor league baseball negotiations.
Represented the City of Las Vegas in major league soccer negotiations.
Negotiated arena use agreements for the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Represented the Town of Chapel Hill in negotiating the development agreement for the redevelopment of the 72-acre Glen Lennox complex.
Represented the City of High Point in negotiating and drafting the use and operating agreement for the BB&T Point minor league baseball stadium, home of the High Point Rockers.
Represented the City of Sanford in negotiating and drafting an interlocal agreement to provide sewer service to the Moncure Megasite.
Represented the City of Gastonia in negotiating and drafting the use and operating agreement, lease agreement, and economic development agreement for the minor league ballpark in the FUSE District in downtown Gastonia.
Represented a regional transportation authority in rail and bus projects involving multiple municipalities.
Represented the Town of Haw River on the development agreement for the renovation of the Granite Mill into the Lofts on Haw River, including 175 market-rate apartments and 7,800 square feet of commercial space.

Loading content

Honors & Awards

The Best Lawyers in America in Municipal Law, 2016-2021
North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2018-2020
University of North Carolina School of Law Distinguished Alumni Award, 2012
International Municipal Lawyers Association (IMLA) Charles S. Rhyne Lifetime Achievement Award, 2011
North Carolina Association of Municipal Attorneys Ernest H. Ball Award, 2010
Florence Crittenton Services, Inc. Lucille P. Giles Community Award, 2008
Leadership Charlotte Schley Lyons Circle of Excellence Award, 2002
Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ in Government & Public Policy; Municipalities & Counties

Memberships

26th Judicial District, North Carolina State Bar Councilor, 2012-present; Chair, Grievance Committee, 2016-2018
University of North Carolina School of Government Foundation, Board of Directors, Chair, 2009-2011; Member, 2014-2019
Rotary Club of Charlotte, President 2008-2009; Chair of Program Committee, 2006, 2019, 2020; Member, 1995-present
Mecklenburg County Bar Foundation, Board of Directors, Chair, 2010-2011; Member, 2003-2012; Patrons’ Fund Campaign, Chair, 2005-2007; Naming Rights Campaign Co- Chair, 2014
Florence Crittenton Services, Inc., Advisory Board (Chair, 2004-2008; Member, 2002-present); Board of Directors (Chair, 2000-2002; Member, 1996-2002)
International Municipal Lawyers Association, Board of Directors (President, 2009-2010; Member, 2000-2011)
Mecklenburg County United Way Annual Campaign, Chair, 2003
Governor’s Email Policy Review Committee, Member, 2008

Meet Our Professionals