Michigan State general counsel retires; former chief justice to assist

EAST LANSING - Michigan State University's vice president of legal affairs and general counsel is retiring, the university announced Tuesday.

Bob Noto, MSU's general counsel since 1995, is retiring March 5, according to a news release.

“Bob Noto served Michigan State University for more than two decades in exemplary fashion,” MSU Interim President John Engler said in the release. “During his time here he has handled the university’s complex legal matters with great skill and integrity, and he built a strong in-house team that will continue to serve the MSU well. We wish him well as he transitions to emeritus status.”

Kristine Zayko, MSU's deputy general counsel since 2008, is taking the reins as acting vice president for legal affairs and general counsel, per the news release. MSU is also bringing in former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Young as lead counsel "assigned to coordinate the multiple investigations and the Title IX lawsuits that have been filed against MSU," the release said.

Young also will oversee the law firms working for the university. 

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Contact RJ Wolcott at (517) 377-1026 or rwolcott@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @wolcottr.