MLA Places Marquitte C. Starkey as the University of the South’s Newest General Counsel

Hanover, MD (March 9, 2021) — Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world’s leading legal search firm, today announced the placement of Marquitte C. Starkey as Vice President and General Counsel at the University of the South, familiarly known as Sewanee. The search was conducted by Melba Hughes, partner and National In-House Diversity Practice Leader, and Anne Miller, director, both with the Atlanta In-House Counsel Recruiting team.

In her new role as general counsel, Marquitte will serve as the principal legal officer for the university with overall responsibility for the vision and leadership of the legal strategy. She will serve as an advisor and counselor to the vice-chancellor/president, provost, vice presidents, other members of management, the board of regents and the board of trustees and serve as a strategic thought partner on all critical matters involving the university.

Founded in 1857, Sewanee comprises a College of Arts and Sciences, with 1,700 undergraduate men and women, and a School of Theology, with 145 seminarians pursuing masters and doctoral degrees. The 13,000-acre campus is located on Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau between Chattanooga and Nashville. Sewanee is consistently ranked in the top tier of national liberal arts colleges and is affiliated with 28 Southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church.

“Marquitte is a gifted and talented leader with solid foundational training and development. She is a perfect General Counsel for the University of the South. We are pleased to have participated in this historic placement of the first African-American attorney to oversee the legal affairs of this leading institution,” said Melba Hughes

Marquitte has more than 25 years of legal practice, in-house and private law firm experience. She spent the last 13 years with the University of Denver as their deputy general counsel, supervising the transactional team and overseeing transactional and operational matters. Her background also includes leadership roles with Verio Inc. and Applied Theory Corporation. She also owned and operated a paint-your–own ceramic studio, Color Me Mine, pursuing her passions for art and educating children. She began her career as an associate with Holme Roberts & Owen LLC and Morrison & Foerester LLP. Marquitte earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and her B.A. from Washington and Jefferson College.