APLU Launches Council on Legal Affairs

APLU launched a Council on Legal Affairs (CLA) at the association’s Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA last week. The CLA, which is comprised of the senior-most legal affairs officers of member institutions, will provide chief legal officers, typically the General Counsel, a forum for learning from others in the role and professional development.

William E. Thro, General Counsel of the University of Kentucky, is serving as the inaugural chair of the CLA, and Allison Newhart, General Counsel of North Carolina State University is serving as chair-elect.

The formal establishment of the Council on Legal Affairs follows a temporary and informal APLU General Counsels Advisory Group that provided invaluable support to the association in recent years. APLU’s Office of Governmental Affairs will support the CLA.

The council’s first summer meeting is tentatively scheduled for July 21 and 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. If your institution’s chief legal officer is interested in becoming involved in the CLA, please invite them to share their information with APLU.