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Robert E. Harrington to Serve as 101^st President of the Mecklenburg County Bar

Robert E. Harrington, of Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A., began his service as the 101st president of the Mecklenburg County Bar on July 1, 2012.  He will serve a one-year term.   

Under Harrington's leadership, the focus of the Mecklenburg County Bar will remain its role, together with the North Carolina State Bar, in regulating the practice of law in Mecklenburg County. The Bar will also continue its commitment to improving access to legal services for Mecklenburg County residents. Additionally, 2012-13 goals will include assisting members of the Bar who are new to the profession and lawyers who are in career transition, and identifying a location and breaking ground on a new Mecklenburg County Bar & Foundation Center. 

"With the arrival of new lawyers and the dislocation of law practices because of economic challenges, the Bar must provide mentoring and support for our members," Harrington said.

"In the early stages of our careers, all of us, regardless of our trade or profession, benefit from interacting with experienced practitioners, who can help us deal with situations that just are not addressed in the classroom, he said. Moreover, young lawyers launching solo practices face not only the challenges of a new career but the added demands of running a small business. Lawyers changing practices in mid-career face many of the same challenges."

Prior to becoming president, Harrington served on the Mecklenburg County Bar's Board of Directors and Executive Committee.  He co-founded the Special Committee on Diversity that examines the extent to which the MCB and legal entities have successfully incorporated lawyers from traditionally underrepresented groups in their organization; provides recommendations for addressing matters related to diversity and inclusion; and implements programming for members and the community.

Mr. Harrington earned his bachelor's degree from Duke University, where he graduated magna cum laude and was an Angier B. Duke Memorial Scholar. He attended Duke University School of Law, where he graduated with high honors. He is also a member of the Duke Law School Board of Visitors, a member of the American Law Institute and he is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Harrington has been a commercial litigator for nearly 25 years. His practice at Robinson Bradshaw focuses on the representation of consumer lenders and financial institutions in their capacity as fiduciaries, general commercial disputes, and the defense of employment actions.