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NKU names VP of Legal Affairs and general counsel

Joan M. Gates
Joan M. Gates

Graduate of NKU

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (June 8, 2016) — Joan M. Gates has been appointed vice president of Legal Affairs and general counsel at Northern Kentucky University. She replaces Sara L. Sidebottom, who is retiring after 20 years with the University.

Gates is senior legal counsel at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and a graduate of NKU’s Chase College of Law. She will begin at NKU on July 18.

Gates will serve as NKU’s chief legal officer, providing legal expertise and services on a wide range of matters. She will advise the president and serve on his executive team, and also advise the Board of Regents with respect to its governance and responsibilities.

She will oversee all legal matters for NKU and advise administrators, faculty, and staff on legal matters. The general counsel also provides management and oversight for the Office of Financial and Operational Auditing and the Office of Compliance and Institutional Ethics.

At Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Gates oversees all legal matters that impact academic research operations; interprets laws, rules, and regulations related to academic research; advises executive staff; drafts, negotiates, and reviews contracts; and represents the hospital and provides counsel in legal proceedings.

Previously, Gates was director of Environmental, Health and Safety for the North American operations of Givaudan Flavors Corp.; director of Health and Safety at Children’s; and an associate at Thompson Hine LLP in Cincinnati.

She graduated magna cum laude from NKU’s Chase College of Law in 2000 and holds a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Kentucky. She is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cincinnati Bar Association.

Gates also serves on the boards of the nonprofit organizations Cancer Support Community and the Greater Cincinnati Minority Counsel Program.