By Daniel Jackson
Effective immediately, Michael Orme is BYU''s new general counsel after his former boss, Thomas Griffith, was confirmed to a federal judgeship by the U.S. Senate.
Orme began working for BYU as an associate general counsel in 1990. During his time here, he has also taught in the university''s Department of Religion and MBA program as well as its School of Law. He is currently the director of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, according to a BYU news release.
Orme is replacing former general counsel Thomas Griffith, who was named to a position on the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia by President Bush.
As BYU''s chief legal officer, Orme manages four other attorneys and a number of professionals who provide all the university''s legal services.
Higher education attorneys need a broader knowledge of the law than many other attorneys, Orme said.
'Higher education law is incredibly diverse,' Orme said. 'It''s unlike many other legal professionals, who tend to specialize in, say, medical malpractice.'
The office''s primary focus, Orme said, is to prevent legal problems through audits and policy implementation. If problems do crop up, the office of general counsel vigorously defends the university''s interests, teaming up with outside law firms when there is litigation. In those cases, the general counsel usually focuses on behind-the-scenes work.
'BYU lawyers will work on the inside, collecting evidence and collating reports, and we''ll partner with outside law firms specializing in litigation,' Orme said.
As he begins his new job, the general counsel''s main project is an extensive compliance effort. Orme and his associates will work with BYU auditors to ensure different departments and programs are in compliance with the applicable laws that affect the university. Privacy is particularly important, Orme said.
'There are a number of laws concerning privacy that affect the university,' Orme said. 'I think there''s a recognition that in the 21st century, protecting information is important for a university to do, and we want to be sure we''re using the best practices.'
Orme said BYU is also involved in various matters of litigation, which could soon go to trial, but he couldn''t comment further on it.
Before coming to BYU, Orme worked in Idaho in private practice and as a lawyer for BYU-Idaho. While in private practice, Orme served a three-year term as chair of the Idaho Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, according to an official Web site on the National Association of College and University Attorney''s.
'We are confident that Mike''s years of experience at BYU and BYU-Idaho will continue to enrich and protect the mission of BYU,' said President Cecil O. Samuelson. 'He is already an important member of our administrative team.'
(For comments, e-mail Daniel Jackson at ua2bkk@hotmail.com)