ANN ARBOR—Suellyn Scarnecchia, dean of the University of New Mexico Law School since 2003, will return to Ann Arbor to become vice president and general counsel of the University of Michigan.

Scarnecchia was a clinical professor of law and associate dean of the University of Michigan Law School from 1987 to 2002, and special assistant to the U-M provost in 2002.

Her appointment to the position of vice president and general counsel was recommended today (Feb. 4) by U-M President Mary Sue Coleman following a national search. It will be effective July 1, following approval by the U-M Board of Regents.

“Professor Scarnecchia’s outstanding combination of skills and experience made her the clear choice of the search committee,” Coleman said. “She has the proven ability to handle cutting edge litigation in the glare of the public spotlight, a record of solid leadership in academia, and a deep commitment to diversity and social justice. We are delighted to be welcoming back to Michigan a superb administrator, a creative problem solver, and an effective consensus builder.”

As vice president and general counsel, Scarnecchia will be responsible for the University’s legal affairs, will set strategic direction, serve as senior legal counsel to the Board of Regents, University administration and University units, supervise the professional legal staff, and manage relationships with outside counsel.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to, once again, serve the University of Michigan,” Scarnecchia said. “Collaboration with terrific colleagues and students in New Mexico has only strengthened my desire to dedicate my energies to the many fascinating issues facing higher education. I look forward to the new challenges of this position and to returning home to Ann Arbor.”

Scarnecchia was the first woman to serve as dean of the New Mexico School of Law in Albuquerque, the state’s only law school. She serves on the board of the University of New Mexico Science and Technology Corporation and chairs all Judicial Nominating Commissions in New Mexico. She serves on the New Mexico Supreme Court Task Forces on Professionalism and Access to Justice, and is a member of the American Bar Association New Deans Workshop Committee, the Association of American Law Schools’ Resource Corps, and the Law School Admissions Council’s Minority Affairs Committee.

In 1987, Scarnecchia joined the University of Michigan Law School’s Child Advocacy Law Clinic, and for the next 15 years supervised law students whose work in the clinic puts them in the real world role of representing clients. She oversaw students’ training and supervised their written legal briefs and their appearances in court, and she appeared herself in court when necessary. In that capacity she handled the high profile “Baby Jessica” case about a contested adoption that raised profound questions about the rights of children and parents.

In 1994, she became clinic coordinator in the U-M Law School, a new position that she had recommended be created as the Law School developed more clinic programs, and more students became involved. She later became associate dean for clinical affairs responsible for the hiring, evaluation, and promotion of clinical faculty members.

Prior to joining the U-M faculty, Scarnecchia practiced employment law at the Battle Creek firm of McCrosky, Feldman, Cochrane & Brock.

An Ann Arbor native, Scarnecchia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University in 1978 and her law degree from the U-M Law School in 1981.

The search committee was chaired by Christina Whitman, the Francis A. Allen Collegiate Professor of Law, and professor of Women’s Studies in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.

Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Gloria Hage served as interim vice president and general counsel during the search. Former Vice President and General Counsel Marvin Krislov became president of Oberlin College last year.