James Jorgensen named new vice president for legal affairs and general counsel

James D. Jorgensen, senior counsel at Husch Blackwell LLP in Denver, Colorado, has been named the new vice president for legal affairs and general counsel at the University of Iowa. He is scheduled to begin on Sept. 30.

Jorgensen succeeds Carroll Reasoner, who announced in March she would retire once her successor was hired. Reasoner served as UI’s vice president for legal affairs and general counsel for 13 years.

James Jorgensen

Jorgensen has been at Husch Blackwell since 2021, where he advises colleges and universities on numerous issues, including workplace and academic accommodations, accreditation, student conduct and faculty discipline, negotiation of real estate transfers, and academic programming partnerships. Jorgensen served as associate counsel and deputy general counsel at UI from 2006 to 2018.

“I am very excited that Jamie will be rejoining the University of Iowa in this crucial position,” says UI President Barbara Wilson. “His background, expertise, and skills are ideal for this leadership position as we work to achieve the ambitious goals in our new strategic plan.”

Before joining Husch Blackwell in 2021, Jorgensen was chief of staff and chief legal counsel at Pitzer College, a private college in the Claremont Colleges consortium of five undergraduate and two graduate institutions in California. There, he conducted investigations under Title IX and other campus policies, led training sessions on Title IX, and helped develop the consortium’s response to COVID-19.

Jorgensen was one of three finalists who participated in campus visits in July. The search committee was chaired by Marty Scholtz, vice president for research.

Jorgensen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science, with distinction, from Iowa State University; a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School, and a PhD in education policy and leadership studies from the UI.

Jorgensen joined the UI Office of the General Counsel in 2006 as associate counsel and later was promoted to deputy general counsel. While at Iowa, he advised on employment and labor law issues, including discrimination and harassment, disability accommodations, investigations, and collective bargaining. He also was a member of numerous boards and committees.

“I am excited to come home to the University of Iowa and eager for the opportunity to work with President Wilson and her team,” says Jorgensen. “I know firsthand what a remarkable legacy Carroll is leaving and I am humbled to be rejoining the outstanding legal team serving our campus.”

Jorgensen will receive an annual salary of $385,000. His appointment requires approval by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

Reasoner’s retirement

Reasoner was named vice president for legal affairs and general counsel in September 2008. She served as a crucial member of the president’s cabinet and as a steady, experienced legal advisor to three presidents during her time at Iowa.

In addition to working at the UI, Reasoner received a bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from the institution. She has served as board member of the UI Center for Advancement for 31 years and was its chairman from 2000 to 2003.

“Carroll is the epitome of what is fundamentally good about our institution, and it has been an honor to have had the opportunity to work with her,” says Wilson. “She was ready to retire a year ago and I am so very grateful she agreed to stay on during my first year as president.  I thank her for an outstanding career of exceptional service to the University of Iowa.”