Drexel University
Office of the General Counsel
3201 Arch Street, Suite 310
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone:215.895.1433
Fax: 215.895.1411
DIRECTIONS
Map & Directions to Drexel University Campus (Building 81 on the Map)
From Drexel University Shuttle Service
From 33rd & Market shuttle stop, walk North on 33rd Street. Make a right on Arch Street. The building is across the street on the left corner. The Office of the General Counsel is located on the third floor.
ATTORNEYS AND STAFF
Michael J. Exler
Vice President and General Counsel
215.895.6488
Michael Exler has been with the Office of the General Counsel since May 2000. Having spent over 20 years in both private practice and in the non-profit sector, Michael has a wide range of experience in the business and legal affairs of universities and academic health centers. As Vice President, General Counsel and Board Secretary of Drexel University and General Counsel of the Drexel University College of Medicine, Michael is responsible for advising the President, the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff on a variety of matters in support of the University’s mission, goals and objectives.
Prior to joining Drexel, Michael served as Senior Counsel for the Johns Hopkins Health System, where he also served as Board Secretary for four Hopkins-related entities. Prior to that, he served as Associate General Counsel for the Allegheny Health, Education and Research Foundation based in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. His career in higher education followed seven years in the private practice of law with the Pittsburgh law firm of Kabala & Geeseman (now part of Fox Rothschild). Michael received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dickinson College and his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of the Duquesne Law Review. Michael is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the American Health Lawyers Association and the Association of Academic Health Centers – Executive Leadership Group for Legal Counsel.
Laure Bachich Ergin
Deputy General Counsel
215.895.2427
A member of the Office of the General Counsel since 1997, Laure Bachich Ergin represents the University on a wide range of issues, including corporate, non-profit tax, faculty and student affairs, labor and employment matters. She serves as the University’s Chief Compliance Officer and is responsible for maintaining a confidential "hotline" reporting system and investigating all “hotline” complaints. She earned her undergraduate and law degrees from Saint Louis University. She is an arbitrator for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, has lectured for Drexel’s School of Education, and is a member of the Philadelphia Bar Association and the National Association of College and University Attorneys.
JuHwon Lee
Associate General Counsel
215.895.1226
JuHwon Lee joined the Office of the General Counsel in May of 2005. JuHwon represents the University in various types of business transactions and issues, including licensing, procurement, use of facilities, and miscellaneous independent contractor services. He is also the Office’s primary attorney in labor and employment matters, providing counsel and representation to various departments, including the Human Resources Department, Office of Equality and Disability, and Student Affairs. Prior to joining Drexel, he spent five years in private practice representing various local universities and two years in the City Solicitor’s Office. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the United States District Courts for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania. JuHwon is also active in the Asian American Bar Association of the Delaware Valley.
Francine Thornton Boone
Associate General Counsel
215.895.2801
Francine Thornton Boone joined the Office of the General Counsel in May 2006. Francine represents the University in various types of business transactions and issues, including real estate, tax, and construction. She also represents the University before state courts and administrative boards and agencies. Prior to joining Drexel, Fancine was the real estate and personal property tax counsel/manager for a Fortune 500 retailer with a real estate portfolio of approximately $1 billion, litigations counsel for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Deputy City Solicitor for the City of Philadelphia in the Major Tax Unit. She earned her undergraduate degree from Hampton University and her law degree from Temple University School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts and in the United States District Courts for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. She is a member of National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), American Corporate Counsel Association (ACCA), and the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations. She serves on the PBA’s National Mock Trial Committee and on the Board of Directors for Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis & Education.
Timothy Raynor
Assistant General Counsel
215.895.2538
Tim Raynor joined the Office of the General Counsel in October 2006. Tim represents the University on research and intellectual property matters. He works closely with the Technology Commercialization Office and Office of Research Compliance and Administration in protecting intellectual property, commercializing research, ensuring compliance, and negotiating a wide variety of research agreements. He also works with various University schools and colleges on initiatives to grow research relationships with outside entities. He also assists with certain Internet and computer law matters and manages the trademark portfolios of the University and its affiliates. Prior to coming to Drexel, he worked for nine years at the University of Pennsylvania, the last five of which as its Director of Intellectual Property. He received both his undergraduate and masters degrees from Penn State University, and his law degree from Temple University School of Law School. He is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) and is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania.
Kelly McCardellDirector of Risk Management
215.895.6852
Kelly McCardell joined the Office of the General Counsel in 1990. Kelly manages the University’s property/casualty insurance program and worker’s compensation program. Her responsibilities include assessing the University’s risk and managing the appropriate insurance coverage. She also manages all claims covered by the University’s insurance policies, as well as assist legal counsel regarding general liability, workers compensation and auto claims. She advises all departments regarding insurance and indemnification provisions contained in contracts, risks involved with new programming, and ways in which existing programs can be operated while protecting the University against unnecessary losses. She also serves as the Risk Manager for two of the University’s subsidiaries, Academic Properties, Inc. and Drexel e-Learning, Inc. Prior to joining the Office of the General Counsel, Kelly served as a Financial Analyst in the Treasurer’s Office. She received her Bachelors of Science from the University of Delaware.
Leslie Ann Quinn Assistant Risk Manager
215.895.2292
Leslie Quinn came to the General Counsel’s Office in 2002, after spending almost 2 years as the President’s scheduling secretary and 4 years as the Assistant to the Sr. Vice President for Finance and Treasurer. Ms. Quinn’s primary responsibilities include assisting the Director of Risk Management in the day to day operations of the department which activities support minimizing the University's financial, human, and legal exposures to loss and promote the stability and preservation of University assets; processing and managing all workers' compensation claims; and assisting the General Counsel and all attorneys with all matters in litigation (whether pending in court or before a governmental agency), including providing paralegal services, drafting and filing legal documents, supervising the acceptance of and responses to subpoenas and maintaining all litigation files. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Frostburg State University.
Vicki L. McKee
Executive Assistant
215.895.6871
Vicki McKee has been with the University for 22 years. She joined the office during its formation in 1996. Vicki is the Executive Assistant to the Vice President and General Counsel and also serves as the office manager of Drexel’s OGC, responsible for the office’s administrative, financial and operational matters. As the assistant to the Secretary of the Board of Trustees, she is responsible for providing notice to all Trustees regarding Board and Executive Committee meetings, facilitating their attendance, and providing support as required; assisting with the preparation of all materials for their quarterly meetings and maintaining all required informational resources related to the Trustees and the Board. She received her Bachelors of Science degree from Temple University.
Justin Fields
Administrative Secretary
215.895.1433
Justin joined the Office of the General Counsel in July 2007. Justin serves as the office receptionist, maintains office files; receives all document requests and subpoenas, and provides administrative support for all the attorneys who represent the legal interests of the University. His prior work experience was in the private sector where he served as both Records and Publications Coordinator. Justin received his undergraduate degree from La Salle University.