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MSU announces new legal team following Bob Noto's retirement

February 20, 2018
Hannah Administration Building on Aug. 29, 2015. Courtney Kendler/The State News
Hannah Administration Building on Aug. 29, 2015. Courtney Kendler/The State News —

MSU has announced a new legal team as the current vice president for legal affairs and general counsel, Bob Noto, announced his retirement. Kristine Zayko, MSU's current deputy general counsel, will take over following Noto's retirement.

According to a press release from MSU Communications and Brand Strategy, Robert Young of the Dickinson Wright Law Firm will also serve as the lead counsel. Young will coordinate the multiple investigations and the Title IX lawsuits that have been filed against MSU.

“We will need all of Bob Young’s legal and administrative skills in the weeks ahead as we seek to fulfill our commitments to the survivors and answer any questions that are asked,” MSU Interim President John Engler said in the press release.

Since 2008, Zayko has served as MSU's deputy general counsel and has been at MSU for nearly 20 years, according to the press release. Prior to coming to MSU, she was a labor and employment attorney in Lansing and in Chicago. She attended the University of Michigan for her law degree and MSU for her undergraduate degree.

“I am honored to serve the university, and I thank President Engler for his confidence in me to lead this office during a critical time,” Zayko said in the press release. “I am grateful to have worked with such a strong mentor as Bob, who has helped me and many others over his distinguished career at MSU.”

According to the press release, Young is a former chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and has more than 20 years of appellate judicial experience.

“I am pleased to assist the university in addressing its multiple challenges,” Young said. “President Engler has made it clear that MSU is cooperating fully with the various investigations and that will be an ongoing priority for me.”

Noto, whose retirement will go into effect March 5, had served as MSU's general counsel since 1995. He chaired the principal legal officers group of the Big Ten Academic Alliance since 2009, according to the press release. Prior to working at MSU, Noto was the associate general counsel at New York University and deputy secretary to the board of trustees there.

“Bob Noto served Michigan State University for more than two decades in exemplary fashion,” Engler said. “During his time here he has handled the university’s complex legal matters with great skill and integrity, and he built a strong in-house team that will continue to serve the MSU well. We wish him well as he transitions to emeritus status.”

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