Eastern’s new lawyer settles in

After taking over as the new general counsel, Rob Miller has settled in well.

Marcia Lawhead, secretary for the general counsel, has worked in the office since the first in-house general counsel in 1996. She shows great confidence in Miller.

“Rob has been able to walk into his new office and own the position,” Lawhead said.

Miller graduated from Eastern with a degree in political science in 1993. He went on to receive his law degree from the University of Memphis in 1997.

While this will be his first year as general counsel, Miller is no rookie. He served as vice president and general counsel at Adams Keegan in Memphis. He also served as the associate director of Civil Rights and taught several courses in the political science department and school of business from 2000-2007.

Miller admits he will miss interacting with students in the classroom, but he enjoys working as the general counsel.

His new position as general counsel comes with many obligations. Miller said he will advise administrators, faculty and staff on matters having legal implications for the university as necessary. He will also oversee and handle legal matters, including advising University President William Perry in all legal issues.

“I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that arise each day,” Miller said.

He said he has been able to work with different faculty members and administrators on various issues already and plans to meet with departments on campus to learn how his office can better serve them.

After working diligently each day in the office, Miller goes to his second job of being a dad to his sons ages 12, 9, and 5.

“A good percentage of my spare time is spent coaching my three sons on their various baseball and basketball teams,” he said.

Miller also serves as president of the Charleston Baseball Association.