NYU Hires Former Law School Dean Trevor Morrison for Newly Created Chief Legal Officer Role
New York University (NYU) has appointed Trevor Morrison, the dean emeritus of its prestigious School of Law, as the university’s inaugural Chief Legal Officer and Senior Presidential Advisor for Institutional Policy. This strategic move, announced by NYU President Andrew Hamilton, aims to strengthen the institution’s legal leadership amid evolving challenges in higher education, including governance, compliance, and ethical issues.
The Announcement: Morrison’s New Dual Role
In a university-wide communication dated September 2025, President Hamilton revealed Morrison’s appointment, effective immediately, as part of a broader restructuring of NYU’s legal team. Morrison, the Eric M. and Laurie B. Roth Professor of Law and a renowned constitutional law scholar, will report directly to Hamilton. His responsibilities include serving as the university’s senior-most legal strategist and leading efforts on institutional integrity, governance, ethics, risk management, and compliance.
This newly created role positions Morrison at the forefront of NYU’s legal strategy, ensuring cohesive counsel across the institution. Hamilton praised Morrison’s return, noting his “brilliant advice on legal issues” during his deanship from 2013 to 2022, when he was a key member of the Senior Leadership Team. Morrison will retain his faculty position at the Law School and continue teaching, bridging academic and administrative worlds.
Complementing Morrison’s appointment is Mathew C. Varughese’s promotion to General Counsel and Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Varughese, who served as interim general counsel and deputy general counsel, will handle day-to-day legal operations, creating a robust tandem for NYU’s legal affairs.
Background: Morrison’s Illustrious Career and NYU Ties
Trevor Morrison’s journey to this role is deeply intertwined with NYU. A Columbia Law School graduate (JD, 1998), Morrison joined NYU Law’s faculty in 2013 after stints at Cornell and Columbia Law Schools, where he clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and served as a Bristow Fellow in the Department of Justice’s Office of the Solicitor General. His expertise spans constitutional law, national security, and executive power, with notable public service as an associate White House counsel under President Obama and attorney-advisor in the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel.
As NYU Law Dean from 2013 to 2022, Morrison oversaw significant growth, including enhanced global programs and faculty recruitment, earning acclaim for his analytic prowess and commitment to public service. He stepped down in 2022, succeeded by Troy McKenzie, the school’s first Black dean, whom Morrison mentored during his tenure. Post-deanship, Morrison remained active as a professor and advisor, making his return to a university-wide role a natural progression.
The creation of the Chief Legal Officer position reflects NYU’s response to complex legal landscapes in academia, from free speech debates to regulatory compliance, especially as the university expands globally with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai.
Expert Insights and University Reactions: A Welcome Homecoming
Legal academics and university leaders have lauded the appointment. NYU Provost Katherine Fleming highlighted Morrison’s “universal support” within the community, echoing sentiments from his deanship search in 2013. Constitutional law experts, familiar with Morrison’s scholarship, view his role as pivotal for navigating higher education’s ethical and policy challenges. One colleague noted his “profound understanding of institutional governance,” positioning NYU ahead in legal strategy.
Within NYU, reactions are overwhelmingly positive. Faculty and alumni, including those from the Law School, celebrated the move on internal forums and social media, with posts praising Morrison’s return as a “full-circle moment” for the university. Hamilton expressed gratitude to the search committee and outgoing interim leaders, underscoring the seamless transition. No public dissent has emerged, reflecting Morrison’s respected stature.
Impact on U.S. Readers: Strengthening Legal Foundations in Higher Education
For American higher education stakeholders, Morrison’s appointment signals NYU’s proactive approach to legal challenges, relevant amid nationwide scrutiny over campus policies, Title IX compliance, and intellectual property disputes. Economically, it bolsters NYU’s $6 billion endowment management by enhancing risk oversight, potentially attracting more research grants and partnerships.
Lifestyle-wise, for students and faculty, it promises robust support in academic freedoms and ethical decision-making, fostering a safer intellectual environment. Politically, Morrison’s constitutional expertise could influence NYU’s stances on issues like free speech and DEI initiatives, echoing broader U.S. debates in elite universities. Technologically, his role may guide policies on AI ethics and data privacy in education. Sports enthusiasts at NYU might appreciate indirect benefits, as stronger governance could stabilize funding for athletics amid legal hurdles.
Conclusion: A Strategic Boost for NYU’s Future
NYU’s hiring of former Law School Dean Trevor Morrison as its first Chief Legal Officer represents a homecoming that fortifies the university’s leadership with proven expertise. Effective immediately, this dual role with Mathew Varughese’s promotion ensures comprehensive legal guidance, addressing governance and compliance in a dynamic era.
Looking ahead, Morrison’s tenure promises to elevate NYU’s institutional integrity, drawing on his scholarly depth and administrative acumen. For the U.S. academic community, it’s a model of leveraging internal talent to tackle external pressures, ensuring NYU remains a vanguard in legal and ethical higher education.