RALEIGH, N.C. (October 17, 2005) – Charles C. Meeker, a partner in the governmental relations practice of Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, was elected Tuesday to his third two-year term as mayor of Raleigh. Meeker, 55, a Democrat, received nearly 70 percent of the vote in defeating Republican and Libertarian challengers in the officially non-partisan race.
Meeker’s platform called for increasing impact fees paid by developers for infrastructure improvements, protecting a local watershed and streamlining the planning and inspections process. As mayor, he helped push for downtown redevelopment that included construction of a new convention center and an ordinance that limits the clear cutting of trees.
“I’m thrilled about the opportunity to continue serving the people of Raleigh,” Meeker said. “And I’m grateful to Parker Poe for allowing me to combine my passion for public service with a legal career that is a perfect complement to my work in local government.”
As a partner in Parker Poe’s governmental relations practice, Meeker specializes in local government issues, including public financing, governmental authority and ad valorem taxation. His areas of expertise also include telecommunications regulation, including reciprocal compensation disputes and collocation procedures.
In 2004, Meeker helped conclude the largest property tax settlement in Indiana history when the Indiana Supreme Court upheld a $53 million agreement between the state, U.S. Steel and Lake County. Meeker and John J. (“Jay”) Butler, also a partner at Parker Poe, represented the county.
Meeker was sworn in as mayor of Raleigh Dec. 3, 2001. His life in public service also includes two terms on the Raleigh City Council from 1985-89 and 1991-95. Meeker received his J.D. from Columbia University in 1975, where he was a member of the Columbia Law Review, and a B.A. from Yale University in 1972. He is admitted to practice in North Carolina and the District of Columbia.
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP currently has more than 170 lawyers, with five offices in the Carolinas. Parker Poe has North Carolina offices in Charlotte and Raleigh and South Carolina offices in Charleston, Columbia and Spartanburg. The firm provides a complete range of legal services and has extensive experience in antitrust and business torts, banking and finance, bankruptcy, reorganization and creditors’ rights, commercial litigation, corporate and commercial law, employee benefits, employment, environmental, government, health care, international, mergers and acquisitions, public finance, real estate and commercial development, securities, tax and torts, trial and insurance. www.parkerpoe.com.