Laura Rau Hillock named new UCAR chief legal officer
Hillock brings more than 30 years of legal experience to UCAR.
Oct 16, 2024 - by Jessica Bauters
Laura Rau Hillock has been selected to serve as chief legal officer of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), effective Nov. 4. Hillock comes to UCAR from Andelyn Biosciences, where she has served as general counsel, corporate secretary, and chief compliance officer since 2021.
As chief legal officer, Hillock will oversee legal and regulatory compliance, intellectual property protection and enforcement, technology transfer, research security, export compliance, privacy, and other compliance, risk, and legal initiatives.
“I am excited to lead the Office of General Counsel team in support of UCAR’s mission of leading world-class Earth system science research through partnerships, innovation, and service,” Hillock said. “My goal is to continue to strengthen the firm legal foundation that underlies UCAR’s critically important work of supporting and enabling the broader community and managing the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR).”
Hillock served as the first general counsel of Andelyn Biosciences after the cell and gene therapy manufacturing company spun out of Nationwide Children’s Hospital in 2020. She built and led the company’s legal team, supporting risk management, construction, policy development, contracts, intellectual property, and compliance.
Prior to that, Hillock served as deputy general counsel of research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital for three years, and as associate general counsel for the University of Pittsburgh for 12 years, with a focus on technology transfer, intellectual property, sponsored research, strategic partnerships, and research compliance. She also served as a Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) attorney in the U.S. Army, including tours of duty as staff to the Army surgeon general, European Health Services Support Area, and Recruiting Command.
“Laura brings an extensive legal background in a wide range of organizations, including research and educational institutions. Her broad experience will prove invaluable to our organization as we continue to grow and innovate in support of the scientific community,” said UCAR President Antonio Busalacchi.
UCAR is a nonprofit consortium of 126 North American colleges and universities focused on research and training in Earth system science.