Louis Lessem has been named vice president and general counsel for Wayne State University effective Aug. 3. Lessem has served as interim vice president and general counsel since November when his predecessor, Daniel Bernard resigned to join a private law firm.

"When we completed our review of candidates for the job," Wayne State President Irvin D. Reid said, "we found the best person for the position was already here. Louis Lessem's skills and knowledge of the university will prove invaluable in the years to come. In eight short months since he was named interim general counsel, he has reduced the number of active cases pending against Wayne State by one-third, half of those by outright dismissal."

Lessem served as associate general counsel since 1991 and assistant general counsel between 1988 and 1991 at Wayne State. He served as executive director of Michigan Legal Services, which provides legal services to low income individuals, before joining the university.

"The Office of the General Counsel ensures the legal health of the University," Lessem said. "We represent the University in civil litigation and before administrative agencies, assist in drafting and reviewing policies and other actions for their legal implications, write and review contracts and other legal instruments and negotiate on behalf of Wayne State. We practice a good deal of preventative law," he said. "The Department of Labor Relations also reports to the Office of General Counsel."

Lessem received both his bachelor's and juris doctorate degrees from the University of Michigan. He makes his home in Beverly Hills, Michigan, with his wife and two children.