Wednesday, October 30, 2024

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Speakers:

Steve Atlee, Deputy General Counsel, California Institute of Technology & Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Ina Bryant, Interim Deputy Campus Counsel, UCLA

Nora Kahn, General Counsel, Occidental College

Beong Soo Kim, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, USC

Moderated by:

Rose Chan Loui, Founding Executive Director | Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofits

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The Lunch Talk Series on University Counsel Careers offered insights into the unique and dynamic roles of legal professionals working within higher education. Panelists shared their paths to university counsel, many transitioning from big law and corporate positions to pursue the more mission-driven work found in university settings. They emphasized that university counsel roles require adaptability, as they tackle a wide range of issues daily.

The speakers highlighted key differences between university legal work and corporate or law firm settings, emphasizing that universities demand a broader scope of expertise and a strong focus on long-term institutional goals. Counsel must balance complex relationships across departments, build trust, and maintain the university’s reputation in navigating legal and ethical challenges, such as recent shifts in admissions policies and legacy admissions debates. The panelists encouraged law students interested in this field to build solid experience, seek out pro bono or nonprofit work, and develop a clear narrative about their interest in the field, as foundational skills and diverse experiences are essential for any legal specialty.

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