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.?