Over a four-decade tenure as Brown University’s chief legal officer, Vice President and General Counsel Beverly E. Ledbetter has led a team of attorneys who provide legal counsel, representation and oversight on the wide range of legal matters that can affect a major research university.
A graduate of Howard University and the University of Colorado Law School, Beverly spent her early career at the University of Oklahoma working as legal counsel and teaching. In 1978, she ventured east to become Brown’s first general counsel, a position from which she retired last year. Whether advising on the complexities of evolving federal regulations or representing the University in a major legal action, was a brilliant legal mind and a fierce advocate for the best interests of Brown.
Beverly has long dedicated herself to communities beyond campus, as well. A former Providence Housing Court Judge, she helped to launch the Black Philanthropy Fund at the Rhode Island Foundation. She has devoted time and expertise to organizations as diverse as the Thurgood Marshall Law Society, the Girl Scouts of Rhode Island, the Urban League, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and The Links, Inc. In addition to appointments to several federal advisory committees, her extensive contributions to the legal profession have been recognized by numerous honors and awards including the Minority Counsel Award from the American Bar Association, Order of the Coif and Distinguished Alumni awards from the University of Colorado Law School and Honorary Doctorate degrees from Roger Williams University (2006), Bryant University (2018), and Brown University (2018).
From 1991-1992, after many years of service on the NACUA Board of Directors and various committees, she became the first minority and second female to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors in 1991-1992. She has also spoken at over two dozen NACUA conferences and events.
In the words of her colleagues, Beverly is a prime example of what a NACUA member should be. She not only is one of the longest serving university general counsels, she has continued to fill the role as a leader among NACUA members throughout her tenure. She has adapted to and often has led the changes to the way NACUA lawyers practice law.
NACUA is pleased to recognize Beverly E. Ledbetter as a Life Member of the Association in recognition of her outstanding service and her sustained and substantial contributions to NACUA and the field of higher education law.