Deputy General Counsel Charles Barber has been named George Washington University’s interim vice president and general counsel, President Thomas LeBlanc announced Friday.
A higher education legal expert with decades of experience at major research universities, Mr. Barber has served GW’s Office of the General Counsel since 1996, including as deputy general counsel since 2007.
“Charles brings many years of legal expertise, particularly in higher education and at GW, to the role of interim vice president and general counsel,” Dr. LeBlanc said. “His deep knowledge and relationships across the university, his experience with a broad array of legal matters and his steady leadership navigating complex issues will allow GW to continue to best support our academic mission.”
At GW, Mr. Barber has led the university’s legal efforts in far-ranging matters, from zoning and real estate to finances, taxes, business operations and negotiating strategic partnerships, among other areas. Most recently, he has provided legal guidance on the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As deputy general counsel, he assisted in the management of the general counsel office and provided guidance on major issues handled by the office.
As a part-time faculty member, Mr. Barber has taught higher education law at GW Law since 2012 and previously taught legal principles of higher education in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development.
“I have been fortunate to have worked for many years at GW with valued colleagues in the general counsel office and across our schools and departments to address legal issues in support of the university’s mission,” Mr. Barber said. “I look forward to continuing to serve GW’s students, faculty and staff in the interim general counsel role.”
Earlier in his career, Mr. Barber was an associate with Debevoise & Plimpton in New York City before he returned to D.C. to work at Howard University, where he served as associate general counsel and deputy general counsel from 1985 to 1995.
Mr. Barber received his J.D. and B.A. from Howard University, and he clerked for the Hon. Gabrielle K. McDonald of the U.S. District Court’s Southern District of Texas from 1979 to 1981.
Mr. Barber will serve in his position on an interim basis, and determination of the permanent general counsel will be made by the next president.