Debra A. Kowich, the associate general counsel who leads the public higher education practice group, has been named interim general counsel for the university, effective June 1. Her appointment was approved by the Board of Regents May 17.
Kowich serves as the legal expert on questions regarding Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act and the state’s Open Meetings Act. She also is lead attorney for matters regarding intercollegiate athletics.
She will head the Office of General Counsel until a replacement is selected for Suellyn Scarnecchia, who resigned to return to the faculty at the Law School. Scarnecchia also will serve during the coming year as a special adviser to President Mary Sue Coleman to assist with the transition and advise Coleman on other matters.
Kowich received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from U-M in 1984. She graduated from the U-M Law School in 1989 and that same year joined the Office of General Counsel.
