February 25, 2013

SIU General Counsel Jeff McLellan to retire

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University (SIU) General Counsel Jeff McLellan has announced that he will retire effective March 1.

McLellan has worked for the SIU system since November 2005, when he began as senior associate general counsel and special assistant to the chancellor on the Edwardsville campus. In March 2011, he served as interim general counsel for the SIU system and was permanently appointed as general counsel in September 2011. 

“I have spent the majority of my professional career in higher education, both as a faculty member and as legal counsel,” said McLellan. “I have enjoyed the privilege of working with SIU administrators on the legal issues that typically arise in higher education, but I am looking forward to pursuing other interests in retirement.”

McLellan has played a significant role in providing legal services on the SIU campuses. Notable accomplishments include leading the initiative to protect SIU’s intellectual property interests, implementing legislative changes to procurement processes, developing policies and procedures to facilitate immigration benefits for the faculty and staff, and working with the Board of Trustees to revise and amend SIU’s governing documents.

“I have nothing but respect and admiration for Jeff and for the outstanding job he has done for SIU,” said SIU Chairman of the Board John Simmons.  SIU President Glenn Poshard added, “Jeff has been an excellent general counsel for our entire SIU system.  His legal advice has been solid and proven to be accurate in the many cases which have come before the university.” 

McLellan will join his wife, Judith, a retired public health professor, in retirement.  The couple plans to reside in the St. Louis area.