Top lawyer takes Amherst College job

Lisa Rutherford, the UW–Madison’s top lawyer, has been named chief policy officer and general counsel at Amherst College in Massachusetts.

Rutherford, director of the Office of Administrative Legal Services and senior university legal counsel, has led the office since 2008.

“Deciding to leave UW–Madison has been an extremely difficult decision for me.  I have been here my entire professional career—almost 20 years.  I am so proud to be a part of this institution and especially proud of the legal office my team and I have built together,” she says.

Rutherford says she is looking forward to taking on expanded administrative responsibilities at Amherst, which is led by former UW–Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin. Her last day at UW–Madison is Feb. 8.

Interim UW–Madison Chancellor David Ward says that Rutherford has provided steady legal guidance throughout her career.

“Lisa has given us sound legal advice and leadership on important administrative issues and is respected across the campus for her solid judgment,” Ward says.