University Park, IL,
09
January
2019
|
09:07 AM
America/Chicago

Sarah Luke Accepts Position at Top NYC Law Firm

Sarah A. Luke is leaving her position as General Counsel and Vice President at Governors State University to serve as higher education specialist at a private New York law firm.

At Governors State, Sarah enjoyed a reputation as a creative problem solver who worked well with the various constituency groups at the university.

Achieving the university cabinet position so early in her career has been a highlight of her time at Governors State, she said.

“I’m proud to have been named General Counsel of a comprehensive public university at 35. Most people need to wait until they are more senior in their careers to have such an incredible opportunity. GSU is a young institution, so that makes it a dynamic place to work.”

Her general counsel experience will help Luke navigate her new role as Senior Counsel, where she will be working with general counsels of colleges and universities to assist with projects. The firm also acts as General Counsel for institutions that don’t have in-house attorneys.

While she had looked forward to a long tenure at GSU, she could not turn down the opportunity to accept this dream job.

“Most of the time, you have to have a portable book of business in order to join a law firm, which I don’t have because I’ve worked as in-house attorney for the majority of my career. This is a unique opportunity because in this case, the firm has an abundance of higher education work, and it is looking for an experienced attorney to take on existing clients. It’s the right time for me to make this move.”

Luke said she’s grateful to have served at GSU with a supportive team of colleagues.

GSU President Elaine Maimon said Luke brought dedication to public higher education and to GSU’s mission in particular as General Counsel. “We are proud that Sarah can now expand this commitment by heading up the higher education practice at a major New York City law firm.”

Luke’s last day will be January 18. Paul Bylaska, Vice President for Administration and Finance, will temporarily serve as the university’s Ethics Officer. Burke, Burns, and Pinelli will act as General Counsel on an interim basis, while the university conducts a search for a long-term General Counsel.