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The UM Board of Curators appointed Stephen J. Owens as the University’s next general counsel effective Jan. 22, 2008. Owens will replace Marvin E. “Bunky” Wright, who is retiring Dec. 31.
Owens, 52, is a partner and Chairman of the Class Action and Complex Litigation Division of Kansas City-based Stinson Morrison Hecker, LLP. The firm has 360 lawyers in eight offices across the country. Owens has served as the firm’s hiring chairman and as a member of the firm’s board of directors and its executive committee. His practice has included business litigation, collegiate sports law, drafting and negotiating contracts and administrative law.
A veteran of 26 years with Stinson Morrison Hecker, Owens also has co-chaired the firm’s Environmental Law Practice Group and its business litigation division. His private practice has included work as outside counsel for the University of Missouri.
“I am delighted Steve Owens will bring his outstanding leadership abilities and legal experience to the University of Missouri,” said Board of Curators Chairman Don Walsworth. “Steve has a deep love for our institution, devotion to its great missions and familiarity with our legal operations and responsibilities.”
Owens received a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from UM-Columbia. He received his law degree from Wake Forest University.
“This is the University of four generations of my family, and I am humbled by this appointment,” Owens said. “I have been privileged to represent the University as one of its outside counsel and I want to thank the Board of Curators for now giving me the opportunity to further serve our University as its general counsel.”
The UM general counsel provides legal advice and representation for Missouri’s premier public higher education institution, its Board of Curators, president, general officers, four campuses, University of Missouri Health Care and University employees acting in their official capacities.
Wright has served as UM general counsel since 1998. His accomplishments as an attorney include serving as president of the Missouri Bar, which honored him in September during its annual convention in Springfield, Mo.