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WMU counsel lauded as one of state's 'Leaders in the Law'

March 27, 2009

KALAMAZOO--Carol L.J. Hustoles, vice president for legal affairs and general counsel at Western Michigan University, has been named one of Michigan's 25 Leaders in the Law and was among those honored during a Detroit area luncheon this month.

Selected from among nominees statewide, the honorees were named by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as attorneys "who are astute, wise, knowledgeable and successful." They include representatives from Michigan's top law firms and a wide range of legal practitioners.

In addition to Hustoles, two other attorneys with close WMU connections were named to the list of honorees. They are Dennis W. Archer, a 1965 alumnus, past Michigan Supreme Court Justice and mayor of Detroit, and a member of the WMU Board of Trustees and chairman of Dickinson Wright law firm in Detroit; and James S. Brady, a 1966 alumnus, a WMU trustee emeritus, past president and current director of the WMU Foundation and a member of the Miller Johnson law firm in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"Serving as chief legal counsel for such a great institution as WMU is a privilege. I am thrilled to receive this wonderful honor along with other esteemed members of our legal profession such as Dennis Archer and James Brady," said Hustoles.

Those being honored were featured in the March 16 edition of Lawyers Weekly. The awards program, called "Lawyers of the Year" for the past 11 years, is an annual celebration of the most gifted members of Michigan's legal community, designed to "honor both legal success and the qualities of character that make only a few stand out." All 25 were honored at a March 25 luncheon in Troy, Mich.

Hustoles joined the WMU legal staff in 1991 and was named general counsel in 1999. She was appointed to her current vice presidential position in 2002.

Before joining the University staff, Hustoles was an attorney with the Kalamazoo firm Bauckham, Sparks, Rolfe & Thomsen for three years, concentrating on township and public corporation law. Her background also includes her own private general law practice, service as special assistant city attorney for Kalamazoo and positions as assistant city attorney for Livonia, Mich., and assistant general counsel for the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority in Detroit. Before attending law school, she was an urban planner for the City of Southfield, Mich., and the Charter Township of Waterford, Mich.

Hustoles graduated from Michigan State University in 1974 with a bachelor's degree in urban planning. She graduated in 1980 from the University of Michigan Law School after completing her degree in 2¼ years and was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan that same year.

She has held active leadership roles in professional organizations, serving as president in 1996-97 of the Kalamazoo County Bar Association and as president for two terms, from 1991 to 1993, of the Southwest Region Women Lawyers Association of Michigan. She also is active with the National Association of College and University Attorneys, and was elected to serve on its board from 2001 to 2003. She also currently serves as a board member for the Portage Community Center.

She has served by appointment of the governor on the Michigan State Board of Ethics and on the Western District Committee to review judicial appointments. In 2001, she received the prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award to travel to Germany for U.S. administrators in international education.

Media contact: Cheryl Roland, (269) 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu

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