Sue S. Stewart, retired partner of Nixon Peabody LLP and a well-known specialist in legal affairs for educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations, has been named vice president and general counsel for the University of Rochester. Her appointment was effective this month.
"Sue Stewart's distinguished career makes hers a household name in Greater Rochester and beyond," said President Thomas H. Jackson. "Her extensive credentials provide a perfect fit for an institution as complicated and large as ours, and I am delighted that she is joining the University's senior administration."
Stewart retired from Nixon Peabody in March 2001 after a 33-year stint with the firm, the last three as managing partner of the Rochester office. Her practice concentrated on legal issues relating to educational institutions, including medical schools and their related hospitals, museums, and other non-profit institutions. She was for many years the primary outside counsel for the University as well as several other educational institutions. Her areas of focus included issues relating to corporate structure and governance, tax-exempt status, fundraising, student affairs, academic affairs, employee relations, risk management, intellectual property, finance, and medical-school affairs.
A graduate of Wellesley College and Georgetown Law School, her many awards
include the 1999 Athena Award from the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce
and the 2001 Distinguished Volunteer Service Award from the United Neighborhood
Centers of Greater Rochester. She has served on a number of community organization
boards, including the United Way of Greater Rochester, International Museum of
Photography at George Eastman House, Center for Governmental Research, and Genesee
Country Village & Museum.