VCU news

Stephanie L. Hamlett, J.D., has been appointed by Attorney General Mark Herring to be university counsel to Virginia Commonwealth University, effective Sept. 5.

Hamlett served as associate university counsel at VCU between 2012 and 2013. Since 2013 she also has represented VCU in debt issuance matters and provided general guidance in debt and budget matters.

“We are fortunate that she knows VCU and will be able to immediately lead the work of our legal staff,” said VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D. 

Hamlett most recently has served as executive director and general counsel to the Virginia Resources Authority. She has held a number of positions at the Office of the Attorney General, including counsel to a variety of state agencies such as the Virginia Retirement System, the Virginia Port Authority, the Virginia College Savings Plan, the Virginia Public School Authority, the Virginia Public Building Authority and the Virginia Economic Development Authority. She also has served as opinions counsel. Prior to that she was staff counsel to the Virginia General Assembly House Finance and Appropriations Committees. Stephanie also has private experience in public finance.

“The depth and range of Stephanie’s experience in the legal profession and in state government, including in senior management roles and on matters of public finance, makes her uniquely qualified to serve VCU at this important moment of growth and opportunity,” Herring said. “It has been a pleasure to work with President Rao throughout this search process and throughout my term, and I look forward to Stephanie’s contributions to the next chapter of VCU’s story.”

In addition to a law degree from the University of Richmond, Hamlett holds a master’s of tax law from the College of William & Mary and a bachelor’s degree from Mary Washington College. She recently was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Finance by the Women in Public Finance. She was appointed by Governors Bob McDonnell and Terry McAuliffe to the Virginia Freedom of Information Council (term ending June 2019).

Jacob Belue has served as interim university counsel since March.