Similarly Kennard is active
and involved in the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). She contends that because universities and corporations share so many legal issues, programs and events at her local ACC chapter, have proven extremely helpful in managing outside counsel costs, law offi ce management, and keeping up-to-date on employ- ment law in the region. When Kennard entered the world
of higher education law in the early 1980s, most legal questions were cen- tered on access to education and civil rights issues. Today, she explains, mat- ters focus more on internationalization and intellectual property—trademarks, patents, and software. “We do a lot of recruiting on websites, so our trade- marks are important to our branding, marketing, and student recruitment.” T e face of the practice area has
changed as well: Kennard recalls fi nding an all-male legal depart-
education and volunteerism. “T ere was an expectation for me to go to school and succeed professionally but not necessarily in any prescribed area,” she says. “T ey wanted me to do whatever matched my interests.” Upon graduating from Boston
University with a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, she returned to her hometown to attend Temple University’s Beasley School of Law and possibly embark on a political career. As she became more and more smitten with law school, particularly her international law classes, thoughts of politics gradually faded. After graduation, Kennard worked
as an associate in the Philadelphia offi ce of a national general service law fi rm for a year. Unfulfi lled with the experience,
she transferred to the fi rm’s D.C. offi ce; and though she left the fi rm entirely soon thereafter, Kennard remained in town and earned a
I’d never heard about in law school. Suddenly, I discovered that there were attorneys at colleges and universities doing really interesting work. I fi nally found my niche.” At American, Kennard’s offi ce
is centrally located one block from the main campus in northwest D.C. Kennard’s proximity to students allows the enthusiastic mentor to interact frequently with aspiring attorneys. In addition to teaching a higher education law seminar at American University’s Washington College of Law, and employing both law students and undergraduates in her legal depart- ment, Kennard enjoys taking time to talk with young attorneys and students. “I like to make sure that my
mentees know there are job options out there besides law fi rms and government agencies. I encourage them to investi- gate and ask questions. Because I found my practice area rather fortuitously, it’s especially important that I encourage others to be on the lookout.” For young attorneys who are
I like to make sure that my mentees know there are job options out there besides law firms and government agencies. I encourage them to investigate and ask questions.
ment when she arrived at American 16 years ago. In fact, she says, all in-house counsel at local schools were made up of men. Today, almost all are women, and the number of minorities has increased as well. Kennard is the daughter of scien- tists who taught her both the value of
MCCA.COM
Master’s of Laws degree at George Washington University. While at school, she worked part-time at NACUA as a law clerk and later as Assistant Executive Director. “My plan was to get my LLM and
teach law, but then the trade associa- tion exposed me to a practice area that
already looking for work or advance- ment in university legal aff airs, she advises, “You might have to go outside of the metro area to get ahead; a lot of people are competing for jobs in cities. Take a risk, and do what you can to fi nd work that fi ts your interest.” Kennard foresees good things
for higher education law. “It’s an expanding fi eld in which diversity is truly perceived as an asset, and there’s a lot of opportunity for growth and advancement for women and minority lawyers. “I believe the unique experiences
of minorities and women are valued inside companies, particularly at senior levels of a company. In-house legal work aff orded me the opportu- nity to grow and advance, and most importantly, raise a family. I enjoy the work, and I care about the university and its students.” D&B
Patrick Folliard is a freelance writer based in Silver Spring, Md.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2011 DIVERSITY & THE BAR®
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