University of Nebraska Vice President and General Counsel Richard Wood, J.D., announced his retirement Thursday.
Wood has served as general counsel for the university for almost three decades and will retire effective Dec. 31.
“I believe I have the honor of representing the best client in this state — the University of Nebraska,” Wood said. “I joined the university because it seemed like it would be a very challenging and professionally rewarding job. I have been very fortunate; it has met all of my expectations. Practicing law at a multi-campus system, at a major research university, allows you to handle a broad spectrum of legal matters. I have loved my work here.”
For Wood, reflecting on his career as general counsel is not an easy task.
He has been a force at the university and overseer of legal affairs for almost 30 years, a time that spans four university presidencies and major change.
“The university has always been a good institution, but the quality continues to improve,” Wood said. “This is becoming a great university.”
The general counsel position was a one-man shop when Wood took the position in 1978, while today he leads a staff of seven attorneys and is responsible for a wide range of legal issues.
“The work load has certainly grown,” Wood said. “But we also have worked hard to start handling almost all of our legal work in-house in a more effective and efficient manner.”
NU President J.B. Milliken praised Wood for his impeccable integrity, outstanding judgment and distinguished record at the university.
“Dick is a consummate professional, a highly principled man and an outstanding attorney and adviser,” Milliken said. “The university has benefited enormously from Dick Wood’s service.”
Wood has been the ideal person for the job of general counsel, Milliken said, noting Wood’s expertise in public and private practice in a broad range of areas, from personnel matters to student issues to business acumen.
“The university will miss his skilled and steady guidance on all our legal issues,” Milliken said. “I will miss him as a valuable colleague and a good friend at work.”
Charles Wilson, chairman of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, said he has deep respect for Wood.
Wood has provided sound advice and direction for the regents in legal matters and in interpretation of the regents bylaws, Wilson said.
“He is committed to the university,” Wilson said. “He will be missed.”
Wood received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1960, and his law degree from the University of Nebraska in 1964. He joined the university in 1978 as general counsel and was additionally named vice president in 1987.
He has a broad background in civil practice in the public and private sectors. Before coming to the university, Wood worked in private practice with the firm of Wood, Wolfe & Hurd in Lincoln. He was assistant city attorney for Lincoln from 1967 to 1970, city attorney until 1975 and also worked as an attorney-examiner for the Nebraska Public Service Commission.
From 1964 to 1966, Wood was a captain in the infantry of the U.S. Army.
Wood has been involved in the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the Nebraska State Bar Association, and is past chairman for the Judicial Administration Committee of the Lincoln-Lancaster Bar Association. He has served on the Nebraska Power Review Board, the Lincoln Charter Revision Commission and the Bryan Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees.
Wood said he is sad to leave the university, but looks forward to relaxation, writing, working with family genealogy and traveling. His wife is from Ukraine, and the couple plans to spend part of each year in the country’s capital, Kiev.
Milliken said he will commence a search soon for Wood’s successor.