Duke University | University Counsel Search

Search for University Counsel Slated for Early 2006 Completion

Duke University is looking for a new top lawyer. The university's search began in August 2005, shortly after University Counsel David Adcock announced his July 1, 2006 retirement. The search is scheduled to be completed and an appointment announced by February 2006.

Former Duke University Board of Trustees Chairman John Koskinen is leading the five-member search committee. Other members are: law Dean Katharine Bartlett; trustee and former speaker of the state House of Representatives Dan Blue; law professor and Academic Council Chair Paul Haagen; and Dr. William Fulkerson, CEO of Duke University Hospital.

The search committee began inviting nominations from the Duke community in August. Candidate screening is slated to start in October.

Adcock, who has served as Duke's general counsel since 1982, leads a team of seven attorneys whose responsibilities range across employment law, intellectual property, health care financing, property transactions and other legal issues. The team provides legal counsel that helps guide policies overseeing more than 25,000 employees and an annual operating budget that tops $2.5 billion.

"The university counsel must be experienced both in running an office of seasoned professionals and in advising university officials on a broad range of complex legal issues," Koskinen said. "David Adcock set a high standard for the office, and we expect a national search to attract a number of top candidates who will follow in his tradition. Any assistance we can receive from the Duke community in finding exceptional candidates will be welcomed."

Nominations and comments about the position should be sent by campus mail to John Koskinen, Duke University, Box 90030 or by e-mail to counsel-search@duke.edu. Any nominations or comments will be kept confidential.