North Carolina Bar Association

Robert Harrington was sworn in as Charlotte's 60th mayor on July 1 to serve the remainder of Vi Lyles' term after her resignation. Harrington, an attorney with no prior public office experience, previously led the North Carolina Bar Association and Mecklenburg Bar Association and will serve until November 2027.

Charlotte’s 60th mayor, Rob Harrington, will be sworn in Wednesday to complete the remaining term of Vi Lyles, who stepped down to spend more time with family. Harrington was selected by the Charlotte City Council after two rounds of voting from over 100 applicants. He previously led the North Carolina Bar Association and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library Board of Trustees.

Robert Harrington transitions from president of the North Carolina Bar Association to interim mayor of Charlotte. He will be sworn in to serve the remaining 18 months of Mayor Vi Lyles’ term, who is stepping down to spend more time with family. Harrington’s transition from the bar association will be finalized this weekend at its annual meeting in Uptown.

Rob Harrington will become the interim mayor of Charlotte on July 1, replacing outgoing Mayor Vi Lyles. He is an attorney without prior elected office experience but has community ties and is recognized for his consensus-building and listening skills. He has been on the Business North Carolina Power List for six years and is a partner at Robinson Bradshaw.

Charlotte City Council appointed Robert Harrington as interim mayor to replace outgoing Mayor Vi Lyles, who will retire at the end of June. Harrington was selected after a runoff following a vote that required six council votes, and he will serve until December 2027. The interim mayor will address the controversial I-77 toll lane project, which faces financial and political challenges.

Charlotte city council interviewed five finalists for interim mayor, including Mayor Pro Tem James Mitchell and NC State Senator Caleb Theodros. The applicants discussed strategies for intergovernmental relations, post-I-77 widening support steps, and balancing business and community priorities.