Raleigh, N.C. (September 14, 2015) – Charles Meeker, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP (Parker Poe) partner and former Raleigh Mayor, will be officially inducted into the Raleigh Hall of Fame at a public ceremony on October 5, 2015 at the Raleigh Convention Center. The Raleigh Hall of Fame, now in its eleventh year, honors individuals and non-profit organizations that have made significant contributions to the City of Raleigh. Meeker is being recognized for his public service, visionary business leadership, significant philanthropic efforts and his overall dedication to the betterment of Raleigh.

Meeker will be among 12 individuals and organizations inducted into this year’s class. Meeker represents the second Parker Poe attorney to receive this highest civic honor – J. Allen Adams, retired of counsel, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.

As a member of Raleigh City Council for eight years (1985-1989, 1991-1995) and Mayor for 10 years (2001–2011), Meeker was instrumental in transforming Raleigh into the vibrant, prosperous and healthy community it is today. The City’s many accomplishments during this time include revitalizing downtown with the re-opening of Fayetteville Street to vehicle traffic, bringing Campbell University Law School to downtown Raleigh and the construction of the Raleigh Convention Center. More than $1.5 billion in private investments benefitted the Raleigh area as a result of his tenure. Meeker doubled the size of the city’s parks and greenways, making Raleigh’s parks system the envy of cities around the country. He also worked to ensure sustainability by expanding the use of LED lighting throughout the entire city and inside city-owned buildings.
 
Born in Washington, D.C., Meeker began visiting North Carolina with his family on summer vacations.  After graduating from Columbia University Law School in 1975, Meeker moved to Raleigh to begin practicing law with Sanford, Cannon, Adams & McCullough, which became Parker Poe after merging in 1990.  As partner in Parker Poe’s regulatory department, he represents private and public clients including local governments in civil trials and administrative hearings.

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Meeker has served on numerous boards, devoted his time to area cultural arts organizations, and remains dedicated to environmental causes, working with both the North Carolina Coastal Federation and the City of Oaks Foundation to support conservation efforts in North Carolina.

“Charles has been a champion of Raleigh and the entire state of North Carolina for decades. His nomination and induction into the Raleigh Hall of Fame is well-earned,” says Kevin Chignell, Parker Poe Raleigh Office Managing Partner. “Parker Poe calls downtown Raleigh home, and we reap the extraordinary benefits of Charles’ public service and community vision each day.”

For more information about the Raleigh Hall of Fame, a full list of the 2015 inductees and event details/tickets, visit www.raleighhalloffame.org.

About Parker Poe
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP has more than 200 lawyers in five offices located in major markets across North Carolina and South Carolina. The firm provides legal counsel to large commercial and public organizations on regulatory, corporate and litigation matters.