Vice President and General Counsel: E. Michael Zubey, Jr.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of E. Michael Zubey, Jr. as Vice President and General Counsel at Villanova University, effective Friday, August 17. Mike’s appointment is the result of a national search, which had an extraordinarily strong pool of applicants from all over the country.

Mike immediately stood out in a talented group of candidates with his unique combination of experience, and dedication to our University and its core values. As Vice President and General Counsel, Mike will oversee all University legal affairs and is responsible for the vision and leadership of Villanova’s overall legal strategy. Reporting to the President, and serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet, the General Counsel provides legal advice and counsel to the President, Board of Trustees and other members of the University community on a broad range of legal matters.

Mike brings more than 20 years of legal experience to his new role. He has extensive management and legal experience in university, corporate and non-profit settings, specializing in higher education, employment, labor and municipal law. Mike joined Villanova’s Office of the Vice President and General Counsel as Associate General Counsel in May 2013. In this role, he managed litigation for the University and provided advice and counsel to all areas of the University—from departments to senior leadership—on a broad range of legal matters.

Prior to joining Villanova, Mike was a partner at the law firm of Masano Bradley, LLP for 10 years. During his tenure at Masano Bradley, he was appointed by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor to serve as a Labor and Employment Mediator and served as counsel for Alvernia University, where he was involved with the transition of the college into a university in 2008. Mike also previously served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Berks County District Attorney's Office. While in private practice, he served on the Board of Directors for the Berks Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Greater Reading Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Berks County Bar Association, where he was the chair of the employment law section and co-chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee.

Mike received a Bachelor of Arts degree in both economics and psychology from Villanova University and earned a Juris Doctor degree from Villanova University School of Law.

I want to acknowledge and thank the members of the search committee—Mark Alexander; Leyda Benitez; Kathy Byrnes; Steve Fugale; Doug Gaston; Rev. Robert Hagan, OSA; Ellen Krutz and Ken Valosky—for their dedication and efforts in identifying the right person for this key University leadership role. I particularly want to thank Mark Alexander for his leadership in chairing this committee.

Mike’s vast legal experience, and intimate knowledge of Villanova, make him an ideal fit to advise and guide our University through the increasingly complex issues facing higher education. I’m pleased to have Mike on my leadership team and look forward to working closely with him in this role.

I invite you to join me for a reception on Monday, August 20, at 3 p.m. in the Presidents’ Lounge to congratulate Mike on his new position.

Sincerely,