Dear colleagues:
With congratulations and gratitude, we announce that John Alsterda, University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus legal counsel, plans to retire on August 15, 2023. We are also very pleased to announce that Michael Melendez will assume the position of UIC campus legal counsel upon John’s retirement and will serve as campus legal counsel – designate starting May 16.
John has served with distinction in the Office of University Counsel since October 2007. He was appointed to his current role in May 2016 and has had overall responsibility for the delivery of legal services to UIC for the past seven years. During his time as campus legal counsel and as a senior attorney in our office prior to that appointment, John has brought steady, consistent, and thoughtful leadership to our office, UIC and the University of Illinois System. Before joining the university, John worked in private practice for 18 years. John’s legal skills, intelligence, and ability to address complex and novel challenges have been invaluable. He is well respected by his colleagues within and outside the university for his dedication, hard work, and integrity. John will be sorely missed.
We are delighted that, following an internal selection process, Mike Melendez has agreed to assume the role of campus legal counsel for UIC. Mike joined our office in 2011 as associate university counsel before assuming the role of assistant campus legal counsel in 2017. Prior to joining the university, Mike served with distinction at the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the Chicago Board of Education and in private law practice. Mike’s legal skills, experience inside and outside the university, deep understanding of the interplay between system and university operations, and proven leadership abilities are well recognized. To facilitate a smooth transition, Mike will serve as interim campus legal counsel – designate pending consideration by the Board of Trustees at its July meeting.
Please join us in supporting Mike as he transitions into this critical role and in thanking John for his outstanding service.
Tom Bearrows, University Counsel
Scott Rice, Deputy University Counsel
