University Counsel Nick Estes announced today that he plans to retire from UNM in the Spring of 2005, in order to pursue personal interests including a Master's Degree in Political Science. In preparation for the transition, President Louis Caldera has named Robert Bienstock to the position of Acting University Counsel, effective September 15, 2004.
Bienstock has been a member of the University Counsel Office since 1988 and is currently Deputy University Counsel for Research and Intellectual Property Legal Services. Estes, who has been University Counsel since 1986, will remain at UNM as University Counsel Emeritus until his retirement.
"I have enjoyed my 18 years as University Counsel and feel we have one of the strongest university legal offices in the country," said Estes. "I have been planning retirement for some time in order to pursue my interest in political science and practical politics, and to continue my involvement with the Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum. I welcome the opportunity to support Bienstock and the rest of the outstanding legal team during the coming months."
A search for a new University Counsel will be conducted after the first of the year, according to President Caldera. “I want to express the university’s and my personal appreciation to Nick Estes for his dedicated service to UNM as its chief counsel, and to Nick and Sharee for their many years of involvement in the university community. I look forward to working with Robert Bienstock and his colleagues to address the challenges of the increasingly complex legal environment in which the university operates.”
Contact: Karen Wentworth, (505) 277-5627
Posted by scarr at September 8, 2004 02:03 PM