Voices of the NACUA Community
The National Association of College and University Attorneys member institutions span all corners of the United States, and individual members come from a diverse range of backgrounds and practice areas.
Joining the association offers a number of valuable benefits and also provides access to a network of over 5,000 higher education attorneys. For those practicing higher education law, this community itself is an invaluable resource. Hear from actual NACUA members about how they have benefited from membership.
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NACUA’s workshops, webinars, and briefings are always timely. As a NACUA member, I have access to thoughtful content and analysis, which I have found essential to the practice of higher ed law. What keeps me coming back to NACUA is the sense of community – I have found that NACUA colleagues are always available to share practical resources and think through unique questions.
—Olabisi “Bisi” Okubadejo, Associate Vice President for Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Compliance, Georgetown University
Colleges and universities are highly regulated and complex entities, and the lawyers who represent them must stay well-connected and well-informed to be effective. Being a member of NACUA is vital to my practice because it connects me to a network of legal experts and critical resources for navigating the formidable pressures in the higher education sector. In today’s demanding climate, NACUA also plays an important role in fostering a supportive community where I can share challenges and find compassion and camaraderie. NACUA connections strengthen my emotional well-being and professional confidence, enhancing my ability to deliver the best possible service to my university client.
—Traevena Byrd, Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary to the Board, American University
When I joined the Emory University legal office twenty-five years ago, family and friends asked “why does a university need a lawyer?” They don’t ask now. Today, legal challenges are impacting colleges and universities in fundamental ways. Higher ed lawyers rise to meet these challenges every day, and NACUA – and the NACUA community – have never been more needed.
—Steve Sencer, Counsel, Ropes & Gray LLP
Being a higher education attorney means you are the legal counselor and sounding board to the university’s administrative staff and (depending on your position) board of directors. As such, you have the opportunity to help your client reach their strategic goals as efficiently as possible and in a manner that lowers risk and maximizes gains. Your eyes and ears see and hear issues in a different light, anticipating pitfalls and opportunities your clients do not see, enabling you to be a trusted and reliable source for those who make major decisions on behalf of the university.
—Darron Farha, Vice President and General Counsel, Valparaiso University
Become a NACUA Member
Join NACUA to connect, learn, and lead with fellow higher education attorneys shaping policy, practice, and impact nationwide together today.