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UW brings new lawyer onto administrative team

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Also by Ken Harris:

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UW calling for help shoveling (February 21, 2008)
Student pulls knife at Witte (February 22, 2008)
UW remembers shooting victims (February 22, 2008)
Coal plant encouraging residents to speak up (February 20, 2008)

by Ken Harris

Monday, February 25, 2008

The University of Wisconsin announced a new director for Administrative Legal Services Friday, ending Charles Hoornstra’s two-year tenure as interim director of the department.

Lisa Rutherford was named director of the department that serves as the internal legal counsel for the university, according to UW Provost Patrick Farrell.

Farrell said ALS primarily deals with personnel and research compliance issues. He added the search for a new director began in September 2007 after UW reorganized the position, which was formerly called vice chancellor for legal and executive affairs.

“There was a strong field of candidates for the director position,” Rutherford said in an e-mail to The Badger Herald. “I’m so pleased to have been selected, and I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a terrific team of attorneys.”

Rutherford’s responsibilities will include being the chancellor’s chief legal counselor in addition to running ALS, according to Farrell. He added Chancellor John Wiley was involved in the search at every step, including the final decision-making.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Chancellor Wiley during his tenure and look forward to continuing to work with him on the important issues that affect this university,” Rutherford said. “It also will be a privilege to work with the next chancellor, and I am hopeful that my experience will be of value during the administrative transition.”

Rutherford has worked for ALS for 14 years and has most recently been the leader of UW’s five-attorney litigation team.

According to Farrell, Rutherford has both legal expertise and management experience, and he said these are the two most important job requirements for this position.

Rutherford said she is fortunate to be leading an experienced staff, and she has a strategy for maintaining a high level of service to UW.

“One of my goals for the office is to take a proactive approach to providing legal services,” Rutherford said. “This will position the attorneys to provide advice and counsel at the forefront of issues.”

Farrell said the selection of an official replacement for Melany Newby, who left in 2006, took so long because Charles Hoornstra “was more than willing” to help the university while they reorganized the position.

Hoornstra had already retired from a position with the state Department of Justice when UW called on him for help. Farrell said Hoornstra was “happily playing golf” when he accepted the interim position, and is probably ready to enjoy retirement again.

“I have a suspicion he’s looking forward to going somewhere warm to play golf,” Farrell said.

Rutherford will have a salary of $150,000 and is expected to begin March 1.

Perhaps this would be more effective/seem more relevant if it was placed elsewhere.

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