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Office of University Counsel |
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University Counsel
Thomas R. Bearrows
As University Counsel, Tom is a general officer of the Board of Trustees and the University, and serves as the legal advisor to the Board, the President, and other University administrative officers. He reports to the Board of Trustees and to the President. Tom is responsible for the management of the University's legal offices for its three campuses and divides his time among the three campuses. He employs and coordinates the work of outside counsel and also is responsible for the legal aspects of University contracts and other legal affairs. In addition, Tom serves as Legal Counsel to the Alumni Association and the University of Illinois Foundation. His staff includes a Deputy Counsel and three Campus Counsels, as well as fourteen University attorneys. Their practice areas include specializations such as labor and employment, intellectual property, and health care law, as well as more general areas, including contracts, litigation, and real estate. Before coming to the University in 1997, Tom practiced for thirteen years as a commercial litigator at a Chicago law firm. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Illinois and a Master's of Public Policy degree from Harvard University in 1984. Tom can be reached by e-mail at bearrows@uillinois.edu or by phone at (312) 996-7762 in Chicago and (217) 333-0563 in Urbana. His administrative assistant, Fran Murphy, can be contacted by e-mail at fmurphy@uillinois.edu or by phone at (312) 413-3029.