The National Association of College and University Attorneys announced the start of new leadership terms this month, welcoming a chair-elect and six members-at-large to its governing board following elections by member institutions in May.
Timothy G. Lynch, vice president and general counsel at the University of Michigan, will serve as chair-elect. He joins a newly seated board that includes Anne Elizabeth Bilder, university general counsel at the University of Northern Iowa; Youndy C. Cook, vice president and general counsel at the University of Central Florida; Jim Keller, co-chair of the Higher Education Practice Group at Saul Ewing LLP and affiliated with Haverford College; Christopher Lott, deputy general counsel at Duke University; Hope Tyehimba, associate general counsel at Johns Hopkins University; and Jennifer Zimbroff, deputy general counsel and managing attorney at Stanford University.
The association said the terms of service for the incoming board have officially begun.
NACUA represents attorneys who serve colleges and universities across the United States and internationally. Founded in 1960, the organization provides legal education, resources, and professional development to lawyers working in higher education. Its membership includes general counsel offices at public and private institutions, as well as affiliated law firms and organizations that focus on higher education law.
The association plays a central role in helping campus counsel navigate a rapidly shifting legal landscape. Universities face ongoing scrutiny and litigation tied to issues ranging from student speech and academic freedom to Title IX enforcement, labor relations, research compliance, athletics governance, and antitrust law. NACUA offers programming and guidance intended to help institutions manage those risks while complying with federal and state regulations.
Through conferences, webinars and publications, NACUA facilitates collaboration among university attorneys who often confront similar legal challenges. The organization also provides model policies, briefing materials, and practice notes that help institutions respond to emerging developments in higher education law.
Lynch, the incoming chair-elect, has led the University of Michigan’s legal office through high-profile matters involving governance, athletics, and public accountability. His role at NACUA will include helping guide the association’s strategic priorities and supporting its national programming efforts.
The newly elected members-at-large bring experience from a range of institutions and legal specialties. Bilder has written extensively on constitutional and international law. Cook oversees legal strategy for one of the nation’s largest public universities. Keller advises colleges and universities on complex regulatory and litigation matters. Lott works on institutional governance and compliance at Duke. Tyehimba focuses on higher education policy and risk management. Zimbroff manages litigation and employment matters at Stanford University’s Office of the General Counsel.
Board members are responsible for shaping NACUA’s educational offerings, supporting member engagement, and ensuring that the association continues to address the evolving needs of campus counsel.
With colleges and universities confronting increasing legal complexity, the association’s leadership transitions come at a time when demand for specialized higher education legal expertise remains high. The new board’s term begins as institutions prepare for another academic year marked by regulatory scrutiny, public debate, and operational challenges that place general counsel offices at the center of institutional decision-making.
