David M. Birnbaum - 2014

David M. Birnbaum served the University of California for 30 years, most recently serving as Chief Deputy General Counsel until his retirement in June 2013. He led the Educational Affairs and Campus Services group, which focuses on faculty and student issues, as well as the delivery of legal services throughout the ten-campus system. Prior to his tenure at the General Counsel's office, he served as Chief Campus Counsel for the Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara campuses. Prior to his service at the University of California, David was a litigator with Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles, CA, and with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, in Washington, DC. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, and of the Berkeley Law School (Boalt Hall).

A NACUA member since 1983, David also provided significant service to the Association, including his term on the NACUA Board of Directors as an at-large member from 2003 to 2006. In addition, he served on numerous NACUA committees, including service as Chair of the Committee on Strategic Planning and Vice Chair of the Committees on Program for the Annual Conference, Honors and Awards, and Nominations and Elections. His record of NACUA meeting participation and service as a speaker are also noteworthy. His NACUA colleagues noted that David's remarkable capacity to understand myriad perspectives and legal issues, and his communication and interpersonal skills, made him an exceptional advocate and counselor on a wide variety of sensitive issues.

NACUA is pleased to recognize David M. Birnbaum as a Life Member of the Association in recognition of his outstanding service and his sustained and substantial contributions to NACUA and the field of higher education law.