Charlotte attorney Mark Merritt has been named vice chancellor and general counsel at UNC.

Merritt is a partner at the Charlotte law firm Robinson Bradshaw and is currently the president-elect of the North Carolina State Bar.

Merritt was chosen after a nationwide search, led by UNC vice chancellor for workforce strategy, equity and engagement Felicia Washington, according to a release.

Chancellor Carol Folt released a statement on the hire:

“I am extremely pleased to have one of the best attorneys in North Carolina joining the UNC-Chapel Hill leadership team. Mark Merritt’s legal expertise and well-regarded counsel are only surpassed by his love and passion for Carolina. He is well-prepared to help us lead the University.”

Merritt is following David Parker, who has served as interim general counsel since January 2015. Merritt will provide legal advice and counsel to the Board of Trustees, the chancellor, the administration, faculty and staff on legal matters in his role as general counsel, according to a statement. The role will also require Merritt to serve as a liaison with the office of the President of the UNC System, the state Attorney General’s office and other authorities on legal issues.

“I am honored and humbled by this selection to serve the University. Chancellor Folt is a dynamic chancellor who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and assembled an incredible team,” Merritt said in a release. “I look forward to joining that team and working with her and the Board of Trustees to help make a great university even better.”

The UNC Board of Trustees approved the appointment.

Merritt will begin the new post on September 6.

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