Lehigh University appoints Matthew Lahey as the new Vice President and University General Counsel.
Lehigh University Appoints Matthew Lahey as General Counsel
Lehigh University has announced the appointment of Matthew Lahey as its new General Counsel, effective immediately. Lahey succeeds Frank Roth in this role.
Lahey brings over two decades of legal experience in higher education and private practice to his new position. His extensive career in education law, regulatory compliance, and litigation makes him a valuable addition to the Lehigh University team.
Prior to his time at Lehigh, Lahey served for more than eight years as Associate General Counsel at the University of Notre Dame. Before that, he was a partner in the Labor & Employment group at an AmLaw 100 firm in Chicago, Illinois.
At Oberlin College, Lahey most recently served as Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary. During his tenure, he oversaw all legal services to the institution, advised on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters, and supported key governance functions.
Lahey's higher education legal career has been marked by over 15 years of advising educational institutions on regulatory and compliance issues. He has represented renowned private research universities in Title IX cases and other associated claims in federal district court, obtaining dismissal of a complex multi-district litigation involving antitrust claims related to higher education course materials.
Lahey has conducted numerous high-stakes Title IX investigations at various institutions, addressing serious allegations such as rape, sexual assault, harassment, and violations of Title IX and Title VII anti-discrimination laws. He has also handled internal investigations for a prestigious K-12 private boarding school and assisted in responses to athletic Title IX investigations by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR).
Beyond education, Lahey has represented clients in class actions and regulatory enforcement actions, winning dismissals and favourable settlements, including in cases involving data breaches connected with children’s electronic learning products.
The search committee, which included Joe Sterrett, retired dean of athletics; Brett Ludwig, Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs; Ainsley Lamberton '07G, Administrative Director, Office of the Vice Provost for Research; Kim Nimmo, Director of Risk Management; and Alex Radus, Associate General Counsel, selected Lahey for his deep expertise in higher education law and his clear understanding of complex legal and governance issues.
Melissa Blomkvist, Executive Secretary, Office of the President, provided administrative and logistics support for the search.
Lahey earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law. He has also been recognised as a member of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.
Throughout his 25-year legal career, Lahey has published frequently and given regular presentations on Higher Ed and Labor & Employment laws and trends.
At Notre Dame, Lahey advised senior leadership on strategic initiatives and legal issues related to academic affairs, litigation, institutional policy, risk management, and compliance. He also served for a number of years on the Board of Directors for the Family Justice Center of St. Joseph County.
Lahey's son, Tyler Lahey '25, is graduating this week from Lehigh University.
President Joseph J. Helble '82 stated that Lahey's appointment is a testament to the university's commitment to attracting top talent to its leadership team.
[1] Source: Major, Lindsey & Africa [2] Source: Lehigh University News Release
- Matthew Lahey's extensive background in higher education law, regulatory compliance, and litigation will contribute significantly to Lehigh University's faculty, research, and education-and-self-development initiatives.
- As Lehigh University's new General Counsel, Matthew Lahey's expertise in handling Title IX cases and ensuring compliance with various educational laws will fostering a safer and more inclusive health environment for students and faculty.
- Beyond his legal experience in higher education, Matthew Lahey's innovation in representing clients in class actions and regulatory enforcement actions demonstrates his commitment to upholding the highest standards of legal practice within the university's team.
