Univ. Counsel Search Begins

Several hundred U.S. lawyers have thrown their hats into the ring in pursuit of one of the most coveted offices in the land: that of Harvard vice president and general counsel.

As yesterday's deadline for applications to the post came and went, resumes were still arriving by the dozens, University officials said. Harvard will continue to accept submissions postmarked April 1.

Twenty-one-year veteran of the post Daniel Steiner '54 announced last spring that he plans to step down as the University's top lawyer this June. Harvard began the search for his replacement in mid-February with a series of advertisements in The New York Times, The Washington Post and the University's weekly publication, the Gazette.

President Neil L. Rudenstine has solicited suggestions and nominations from the deans of the various schools and from members of Harvard's governing boards, the Corporation and the Overseers, said Acting Secretary to the Corporation Michael W. Roberts.

Rudenstine will conduct this search in much the same way as he has conducted other searches while at Harvard, Roberts said. Though he will consult widely, he will not form an official search committee to sort through the list of candidates.

Instead, Rudenstine himself will pare down theapplicant list to the final selection for whatUniversity Attorney Christine Hughes called "oneof the world's greatest law jobs."

No deadline has been set for naming the newgeneral counsel, but Rudenstine has said he wouldlike to do so before June 30, the day Steinerofficially steps down.

"He hopes to make an appointment in time for aJuly 1 start-up," Roberts said. "And I know hewill want to move promptly to winnow this list."

Roberts would not name any candidates who haveapplied or been nominated, but he did say he"wouldn't be surprised" if any of the nineUniversity attorneys who now work under Steinerwere under consideration.

Hughes, who now works with eight otherUniversity attorneys under the general counsel,would not say whether she had applied for the postand a colleague, Allan A. Ryan, also would notcomment on whether he had applied.

Two other University attorneys, Frank J.Connors and Marianna C. Pierce, said Tuesday theydid not apply for the job, and the remaining fivedid not return phone calls regarding the search.

The general counsel is responsible for allaspects of the University's legal affairs andadvise the president and other senior officers onlegal and regulatory issues. He or she alsooversees the Harvard University Police Department.

It is also the general counsel's task to ensureHarvard is following local, state and federallaws.

Steiner has said he will not serve on thesearch committee and will be involved in theprocess only to the extent the president desires

Instead, Rudenstine himself will pare down theapplicant list to the final selection for whatUniversity Attorney Christine Hughes called "oneof the world's greatest law jobs."

No deadline has been set for naming the newgeneral counsel, but Rudenstine has said he wouldlike to do so before June 30, the day Steinerofficially steps down.

"He hopes to make an appointment in time for aJuly 1 start-up," Roberts said. "And I know hewill want to move promptly to winnow this list."

Roberts would not name any candidates who haveapplied or been nominated, but he did say he"wouldn't be surprised" if any of the nineUniversity attorneys who now work under Steinerwere under consideration.

Hughes, who now works with eight otherUniversity attorneys under the general counsel,would not say whether she had applied for the postand a colleague, Allan A. Ryan, also would notcomment on whether he had applied.

Two other University attorneys, Frank J.Connors and Marianna C. Pierce, said Tuesday theydid not apply for the job, and the remaining fivedid not return phone calls regarding the search.

The general counsel is responsible for allaspects of the University's legal affairs andadvise the president and other senior officers onlegal and regulatory issues. He or she alsooversees the Harvard University Police Department.

It is also the general counsel's task to ensureHarvard is following local, state and federallaws.

Steiner has said he will not serve on thesearch committee and will be involved in theprocess only to the extent the president desires