Daniel J. French Announces Return to Private Practice After 9 Years as University’s General Counsel

After nearly a decade as Syracuse University’s senior vice president and general counsel, Daniel “Dan” J. French L’95 has announced he will return full time to private practice, effective July 1. French, who first joined the University community as a law student in the early 1990s, has been a dedicated counselor and advocate for the University—providing trusted advice and legal services to the Chancellor, Board of Trustees and leadership across the University.

“I am grateful to Dan for his years of service to the University and for the many ways he has contributed to our community—both as a leader and as an alumnus,” says Chancellor Kent Syverud. “Although Dan is moving on to the next chapter in his career, he leaves the Office of University Counsel well positioned to be responsive to the changing legal landscape facing academia. I wish Dan the very best as he transitions back to private practice.”

Under French’s leadership, the Office of the General Counsel prepared the University to address many pressing issues, including Title IX, privacy and cybersecurity, and the changes in regulation of college athletics, among others. French also worked with Chancellor Syverud to lead the restructuring of the Athletic Coast Conference governance model. Beyond his role leading the Office of the General Counsel, French also served as interim director of athletics, and serves as a liaison to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees.

“Dan’s counsel has always been sound, grounded in both the law and what is best for Syracuse University and its students,” says Board Chair Kathy Walters ’73. “As each new Trustee came on board, Dan and his team would make certain that the responsibilities for governance were well understood, allowing us to be diligent and effective in carrying out our work. Dan will be greatly missed, but I look forward to continuing to work with his great team.”

“Serving my alma mater has been among the most fulfilling professional experiences of my career,” says French. “I look forward to remaining connected to the University that has given me so much—both professionally and personally. Syracuse University will always be a huge part of my life.”

A search to identify French’s successor will get underway in the coming weeks.

French returns to private practice at Barclay Damon LLP, where he is a partner and has represented individuals and businesses in various litigation, regulatory and business matters. French has been listed among The Best Lawyers in America (Criminal Defense: White-Collar) from 2018-23.

Before entering private practice, French had an impressive career in public service. In 1999, he was nominated by President Bill Clinton to be the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York. French was the chief federal law enforcement officer for 32 of New York’s 62 counties and, as a U.S. Attorney, had principal responsibility for the prosecution of federal matters in his district.

French had served as an assistant U.S. attorney starting in 1997, assigned to the criminal division in Syracuse. His litigation responsibilities included narcotics and firearms trafficking, fraud, public corruption, smuggling, environmental crime and civil rights violations. From 1995-97, he was law clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. From 1988-94, he served as acting deputy staff director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, as executive assistant to U.S. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and as a staff member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

In 2007, French was appointed commissioner of the New York State Commission on Public Integrity, a position he held for two years. French also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Court Bar Association of the Northern District of New York from 2005-13.

French earned a juris doctor from Syracuse University’s College of Law in 1995, and a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Oswego in 1987.