FHSU counsel to leave university, set to return to private practice

In an announcement from Fort Hays State University Tuesday, Todd Powell, general counsel and executive assistant to the president, has announced he will be leaving FHSU on Dec. 31 and will return to private practice.
“My 10 years at the university have been the most rewarding professional experience of my career so far,” Powell said. “When I was hired, President Hammond told me that I would gain experience in many unique areas of the law. He was right about that.”
“The chance to serve my alma mater and help the university deliver a quality education to its students has been very fulfilling. I made a lot of friends and developed many close professional relationships. I’m going to miss the interaction with what I regard as a very dedicated and talented group of professionals,” Powell said. “I want to thank Dr. Hammond for the opportunity to serve the university, and I wish Dr. Martin well in her tenure as president.”
“I am excited by the opportunity to stay in Hays and return to private practice,” Powell said.

“I’m thankful that I had the privilege to work with Todd over the past four months,” said Mirta Martin, FHSU president. “A strong organization depends on strong legal counsel. He has provided that. Hays is fortunate that Todd and his family are staying in the community, and I know he will continue to be a loyal Tiger. I also know that many of the initiatives he started will continue to bear fruit after he has started the next phase of his career.”

“Powell graduated from FHSU with a B.A. in history in 1995 and earned his Juris Doctor in 1998 from Washburn University School of Law. He began practice in 1999 with Cavanaugh, Smith & Lemon, P.A., Topeka, in areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, labor law, appellate and administrative law. He was also an adjunct professor of law at Washburn,” according to the statement from FHSU. He has been at FHSU since 2004.

“The general counsel position at FHSU presented me with legal issues that were challenging and complex due to their variety, breadth and scope, and helping to resolve those issues was extremely rewarding,” Powell said.

FHSU has announced the university will conduct a national search to find his replacement, in accordance with FHSU policy.

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