FAIRFIELD, CT - Michael D. Larobina, J.D., LL.M., has been named general counsel at Sacred Heart University, effective February 1. He will be responsible for managing the University’s legal affairs, including providing legal advice to academic and administrative management personnel; preparing and reviewing legal documents; defending claims before federal and state agencies and courts; managing litigation matters; supervising outside counsel; and serving as a liaison to regulatory and legislative bodies, courts and attorneys general. He will also serve as a member of the President’s management team.
“I look forward to my new responsibilities, and I appreciate the trust that President (John J.) Petillo has placed in my abilities,” Larobina said.
Larobina comes to the position with extensive legal experience. He most recently worked as director of Legal Affairs and corporation counsel for the City of Stamford, Conn., making him the chief legal officer for the city. He was responsible for the corporation counsel’s office and the human resources department and served as a member of the mayor’s cabinet. Since 1989, he also served as a professional consultant, providing legal advice to individuals and businesses concerning business transactions, business organizations, real property transactions, complete probate, estate planning and trust practice.
In addition, Larobina has been a professor for Sacred Heart’s John F. Welch College of Business since 1990 and has served as associate dean for Programs and Development since 2009.
He received his bachelor’s degree in American history from Pace University; his Doctor of Jurisprudence from Quinnipiac School of Law; and his LL.M in international business & trade law from Fordham University School of Law.
“I think all universities will have to pay more attention to the external regulatory environment, and I plan on paying close attention to what is going on outside of the University that will have an impact on how we meet our goals and mission,” Larobina said. “I’m hopeful that a move to in-house counsel will better serve all the different constituencies within the University, and I will work towards that goal.”
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About Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University, the second-largest Catholic university in New England, offers more than 50 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs on its main campus in Fairfield, Connecticut, and satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland. More than 6,000 students attend the University’s five colleges: Arts & Sciences; Health Professions; University College; the AACSB-accredited John F. (Jack) Welch College of Business; and the NCATE-accredited Isabelle Farrington College of Education. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its guides “Best 376 Colleges – 2012 Edition,” “Best in the Northeast” and “Best 294 Business Schools – 2012 Edition.” U.S. News & World Report ranks SHU among the best master’s universities in the North in its annual “America’s Best Colleges” publication. As one of just 23 institutions nationally, SHU is a member of the Association of American Colleges & Universities’ (AAC&U) Core Commitments Leadership Consortium, in recognition of its core, “The Human Journey.” SHU fields 31 division I athletic teams, and has an award-winning program of community service. www.sacredheart.edu
