Jeanine Arden Ornt, 48, general counsel of the University of Rochester and the University of Rochester Medical Center and Strong Health System, has been appointed vice president and general counsel at Case Western Reserve University, effective August 1. The announcement was made today by CWRU President Edward M. Hundert, M.D., following a national search that began in April.

photo courtesy of University of Rochester Jeanine Arden Ornt

In order to focus both the legal capacity and advisory role of the chief legal officer of the University "at the highest possible management level," Hundert revised the structure of the University Attorney's Office and created the new Office of Vice President and General Counsel.

In addition to leading the University's legal office, Ornt will serve as a part of the president's top leadership team, helping to shape the strategic initiatives designed to achieve the ambitious goal of making CWRU the most powerful learning environment in the world. Ornt also served on the University of Rochester's senior leadership team. She will report to Hundert.

" I'm delighted that Jeanine has accepted the position of vice president and general counsel. She has much to offer the University and our community," Hundert said. "Her considerable experience as general counsel at a major research university, which includes a strong academic medical center and robust technology transfer program, will help us move our vision forward. Since I knew her at the University of Rochester, it comes as no surprise to me that the search committee singled out Jeanine among the many brilliant candidates in this effective national search."

Ornt's experience as general counsel of a research university and academic medical center was a key factor in her selection as the newest member of CWRU's senior team. She has particular expertise in hospital affiliations, technology transfer and intellectual property issues, risk management and compliance.

" The level of interest in the position of vice president and general counsel by nationally-renowned candidates was exceptional," said James W. Wagner, University vice president and provost and chair of the search committee. "We also were very pleased by the strength of the overall candidate pool. The final choice was difficult because all of the candidates were outstanding. Jeanine's qualifications stood out among the other strong candidates and we're happy that she has chosen to bring her talent and experience to CWRU."

Ornt, who spent 15 years at the University of Rochester, received her law degree from Albany Law School of Union University, Albany, N.Y., and was a member and lead articles editor of the Albany Law Review. She graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Cortland and was her class salutatorian. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association, American Health Lawyers Association and the National Association of College and University Attorneys.

Just last month, Ornt was honored as one of the city of Rochester's Most Influential Women by the Rochester Business Journal.

" I'm looking forward to joining Case Western Reserve University's senior team as vice president and general counsel. I feel privileged to be working with President Hundert, the board of trustees and the University's faculty, staff and students," she said. "I'm also very grateful to President Thomas Jackson and proud of the wonderful professional and personal successes I achieved at the University of Rochester. My 15 years at Rochester will always be one of the most rewarding experiences of my legal career."

Ornt is married to Daniel Ornt, M.D., vice chair of medicine and professor of medicine and pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She has two children, Nathaniel, 19, a sophomore at Boston University, and Kaitlynne, 16, a high school junior, and three stepchildren, Christian, who lives in Alaska; and John and Jennifer of Rochester.

Joel A. Makee has for the past 30 years held his position as University Attorney on a part-time basis. He has provided legal services to the University with a combination of campus professional and staff assistance and additional support in specified areas of legal service from his law firm Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, formerly known as Kelley, McCann & Livingstone - along with other outside firms.

" Anyone at the University who has had contact with the University Attorney over this long period knows the high quality of legal service that CWRU has had under Joel's leadership," Hundert said. "Like the presidents before me, I have come to appreciate and count on the valuable counsel Joel and the members of his firm have provided. It is my hope that Joel will continue to work on behalf of the University for many years to come."

Makee, who chose not to be a candidate for the new vice president and general counsel position, will return to his law practice.

" Jeanine is a very experienced and gifted lawyer who will be incredibly helpful to the University," Makee said. "I take great comfort in knowing the University will have someone coming on board with such expertise, particularly in academic medical center matters. I look forward to working with Jeanine both in the transition and in the future."

Return to the online edition of the 7-24-03 Campus News.

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