Syracuse University Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor today announced that Thomas S. Evans has been appointed senior vice president and general counsel for Syracuse University effective July 1.
Evans has represented Syracuse University as legal counsel since 1972, as part of the legal firm Bond, Schoeneck & King.
"For more than 30 years, Tom has served Syracuse University with the utmost professionalism and dedication," says Cantor. "As the University continues to move forward with a wide range of exciting and multifaceted initiatives and projects, we believe it is important to have a full-time senior vice president and general counsel. I am confident that in his expanded role, Tom will continue to serve the University with great distinction."
"Under the leadership of Chancellor Cantor, and with the support of faculty, staff and students, as well as our local community, Syracuse University is undertaking many visionary, exciting initiatives," Evans says. "It will be a privilege for me to be a part of those initiatives through serving as the University's general counsel. I am looking forward to the challenge and to this new opportunity in my career of serving Syracuse University."
Upon assuming his newly expanded role as senior vice president and general counsel, Evans will be located in the University's Crouse-Hinds Hall, report to the Chancellor, and continue to serve as a member of her cabinet. He will also have the ability and full discretion to assign any of the University's legal work to other law firms, including local firms in the Syracuse area.
While serving in his expanded role, Evans will remain a senior member of Bond, Schoeneck & King until his retirement from the firm at the end of 2008, although his primary responsibilities will be serving as senior vice president and general counsel for the University. Following his retirement in 2008, Evans will become an employee of the University.
As University Counsel, Evans is responsible for providing legal advice and services to the entire University, including the Board of Trustees, as well as to the University's affiliates and subsidiaries. His responsibilities also include overseeing the legal advice and services provided by other attorneys.
In 1986, Evans became Bond, Schoeneck & King's senior partner in charge of the legal services it provides to the University. In that position, he has served as the University's general counsel. While with the firm, Evans has also been the senior member responsible for the legal services the firm provides to Clarkson University and Le Moyne College, and has represented other college and university clients as well.
Evans received a bachelor's degree in political science from Duke University (Phi Beta Kappa) in 1965, attended the University of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) on a Fulbright Scholarship (1965-66), and received a J.D. from Duke University in 1969.
He practiced briefly in Grand Rapids, Mich., before coming to Syracuse and joining Bond, Schoeneck & King (1971). He is a member of the New York and Florida bars and an inactive member of the Michigan bar. He is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the board of trustees of SU Theatre Corp. (Syracuse Stage), and the board of directors of the Metropolitan Development Association. He has been selected by his peers for listing in Best Lawyers in America in Education (2006) and Corporate (2000).
