University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

Office of Legal Affairs

Finance and Administrative Affairs

Office of Legal Affairs

           

Staff Directory∗

∗ For new matters, we encourage clients to use our Intake Process.

 Robin Van Harpen, Director & Senior University Counsel

Telephone:  414-229-2627

Key Practice Areas:

• Policy development
• Employment law
• Open records and meetings
• FERPA and privacy compliance
• Real estate transactions
• Contract negotiation
• Campus safety

• Ethics

Background:

Robin joined UWM's Office of Legal Affairs in January of 2001. She became the Associate Director of the Office in 2002, the Interim Director in 2004, and the Director in 2007. As the Director of the Office, Robin oversees the work of the office and communicates frequently with UWM administration on a wide variety of issues impacting the campus.

Prior to joining UWM, Robin was a Principal Associate at the law firm of von Briesen & Roper, s.c., where her primary client base was comprised of public school districts. Robin received her law degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1995, where she was a Note and Comment Editor for the Minnesota Journal of Global Trade (now the Minnesota Journal of International Law). She graduated from Northwestern University in 1992, Phi Beta Kappa, with a bachelor of arts in economics and art history.

  Joely Urdan, Associate Director & Senior University Legal Counsel

Telephone:  414-229-4730

Key Practice Areas:

• Employment law
• Litigation
• Student issues
• Athletics
• Open records and meetings
• FERPA and privacy compliance

• Campus safety

Background:

Joely joined UWM’s Office of Legal Affairs in July 2003 and became the associate director in January 2005. At UWM, she works on a diverse amount of litigation and other matters including employment and personnel matters, student conduct issues, and campus safety.

Prior to joining UWM, Joely was an assistant attorney general in the civil litigation unit at the Wisconsin Department of Justice.  She represented state agencies (including UW institutions) and employees in state and federal litigation, comprised largely of civil rights claims.  She also argued appeals before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and Wisconsin Supreme Court.  Joely received her law degree cum laude in 1999 from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where she served as a vice president for the Moot Court Board. She graduated from UW-Madison in 1995 with a bachelor of arts in political science and French.

 Hector de la Mora, Senior University Legal Counsel

Telephone: 414-229-5061

Key Practice Areas:

• International & domestic transactional matters including non-routine purchasing bidding, negotiation & agreement drafting
• International programs & interinstitutional agreements
• Licensing arrangements
• Property claims advising
• External research agreements with governmental & private sector entities
• Zoning issues
• Real estate acquisitions & sales
• FCC impacted activities including long-term bandwidth use agreements and wireless
• Carrier transmitting facilities licensing agreements and their assignment
• Software development, licensing & escrow agreements
• Field & clinical placement agreement & issue resolution

• Accounts receivable collection advisement & representation

Background:

Hector graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in 1971, and was admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin at that time.  He is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, United States District courts, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court Bar.

Hector is a former First Assistant District Attorney for Milwaukee County, where he earned the nickname “Hector, the Protector” for his determined prosecution of crimes.

Hector became the first and only UWM in-house staff attorney in 1974.  Over the years, the Legal Affairs Office has expanded.  During his 35 years as a part-time university attorney, he has had substantial involvement with virtually all of the areas of practice within which the Legal Affairs Office currently provides legal services to UWM.  Although he is a trained and experienced litigator, he currently focuses his efforts on behalf of UWM on transactional matters.

 Kirstin Matera, University Legal Counsel  

Telephone:  414-229-6532

Key Practice Areas:

• Employment law
• Accommodation of individuals with disabilities
• Affirmative action
• Charter schools
• Scholarships

• Litigation

Background:

Kirstin joined the Office of Legal Affairs in January 2005. At UWM, Kirstin handles a variety of legal issues, including advising the University administrators on employment-related matters, representing the University before administrative tribunals, and drafting and reviewing University contracts to ensure compliance with applicable laws.

Before joining UWM, Kirstin worked at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., where she was an associate in the Labor and Employment Department.  She received her law degree, cum laude, in 2000 from the University of Wisconsin School of Law, where she was a member of the Moot Court team.  Kirstin graduated from UW-Madison in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and philosophy. 

Donna McGee, University Legal Counsel

Telephone:  414-229-5197

Key Practice Areas:

• Intellectual property
• Tax matters
• University research & compliance
• Contract drafting & negotiation

• HIPAA compliance

Background:

Donna joined UWM's Office of Legal Affairs in January of 2006.

Prior to joining UWM, Donna practiced at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling LLP in the Project Development & Finance Group.  During this time, she worked on a wide variety of multi-national and cross-border transactions.  After moving to Milwaukee from New York in the fall of 2004, Donna worked on water conservation and policy issues. Donna received her law degree cum laude from New York University School of Law in 2000 where she served as Associate Editor on the Moot Court Board.  She graduated magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College in 1997 where she studied East Asian history.  Donna is admitted to practice in New York and Wisconsin.

Kevin Embrick, Office Manager/Legal Support

Telephone: 414-229-4278

Background:

Kevin joined UWM's Office of Legal Affairs in August 2009 as the Office Manager/Legal Support staff person. Kevin oversees the day-to-day operations of the office including the intake of new matters.

Prior to joining UWM, Kevin was employed by Foley & Lardner LLP. Kevin spent his first several years at Foley in the Litigation Department in various positions including Clerical Assistant, Docket Clerk, and Legal Secretary. Kevin's most recent posting at Foley was in Professional Development where he served as Continuing Legal Education Coordinator for the firm. Kevin graduated in 1992 from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a bachelor of arts in music.