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Monday, November 20,1972 - CROSSROADS - Page 3
Alumnus Profile
Hank Underhill
A Man Of Action
Hank is ready to attend one of many meetings, he attends each
week.
At twenty-seven, he was the
youngest city attorney in the
United States in cities of over
100,000 population. Hank Un
derhill chose Charlotte for his
home after attending the Abbey.
Originally from Raleigh, Hank
came to the Abbey in 1959, and
before leaving four years later
accumulated a panoply of
achievements such as becoming
number one man on the varsity
tennis team, appearing in Who’s
Who Among Students in
American Universities and
Colleges, and being elected
president of the Abbey’s chapter
of TKE, Belmont Abbey
Surrounded by documents and paper-work. Hank discusses a
problem with an associate.
College’s first national frater
nity.
His enthusiasm for activity
continued at the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
where he was initiated into Delta
Theta Phi legal fraternity and
was appointed editor of the Tar
Heel Barrister. Recalling the
many hours he spent in the
books. Hank remarks how
helpful his years at Belmont
Abbey College were in preparing
for law school. Having majored
in history and minored in
English, he recommends the
liberal arts background as sound
pre-legal preparation. “I got
into two good departments at the
Abbey, and it was well worth it.
History was especially helpful
because so many law courses
began with the subject’s history,
which in many cases, 1 was
already familiar with.”
In 1965 the city of Charlotte
hired Hank as an assistant city
attorney. Three years later in
December he became
Charlotte’s city attorney, a
position which involves him in
three major roles; chief legal
advisor to the City Council,
spokesman for and advocate of
the city’s legislative programs
when the North Carolina General
Assembly is in session, and
supervisor of a staff of four
attorneys who work for twenty-
three city departments and at
the present time handle a case
load of 135 active cases.
‘‘I like local government
because that’s where the action
is! It seems state and federal
government are too far removed
from the average citizen
whereas local government gives
me the opportunity for individual
contact with the citizenry and
their day-to-day problems—
which I like.”
Henry Underhill’s job is
certainly where the action is. In
1965 not one case was pending
in federal court. Today there are
thirty-five, most of which involve
questions of civil rights. Hank
explains, ‘Tn recent years it
appears that the federal courts
have been used as instruments to
effect change in local govern
ment, and I think this is good.”
When asked why he chose local
government instead of private
practice, he responded, ‘‘I
haven’t ruled out private
practice, but this job is
fascinating. In many cases I’m
in the position of drafting
possible legislation and I like to
live in and work for Charlotte,
where there is an atmosphere of
honest government and politics.
I would have to have an in
teresting offer to lure me away
from my present position.”
Despite his many duties as a
public servant. Hank still insures
time for his family, wife Mary
(Battle) and son, Henry III, plus
a little tennis, golf, and bicycle
riding. And his achievements
are still adding up. In 1970 he
was selected by the ‘United
States Junior Chamber of
Commerce as one of the Out
standing Young Men of America.
We, too, think he’s outstanding
and are proud he’s an alumnus.
Tom McDermott, also an Abbey Alumnus, and now Director of
Landscaping, City of Chariotte, talks about old times with City At
torney Underhill.
Hank checks his appointment schedule with his secretary.