Wednesday, September 23, 2015

John P. Scherer II has been appointed general counsel for the University of North Carolina Wilmington as of Sept. 1, the university announced today.  

The University of North Carolina Board of Governors approved Scherer for the post on  Sept. 18 during its meeting at the UNC School of Arts.

Scherer has served as interim general counsel since March 2015. He replaces Robert Hoon, who accepted the position of deputy general counsel at N.C. State University in March 2015. Previously, Scherer was the associate general counsel, a position he has held since December 2010.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve as general counsel by the chancellor and the university,” Scherer said. “Our office will continue to provide the full range of legal support and guidance to the chancellor, the UNCW Board of Trustees and the university.”

Prior to his work in higher education, Scherer was an assistant attorney general in the N. C. Department of Justice, where he litigated cases in defense of the N.C. Department of Correction.  He transitioned to representing the University of North Carolina and its constituent institutions in complex litigation, including Title VII, ADEA, ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, contract, civil rights, other federal law and general employment, as well as regulatory, administrative and state and federal constitutional law in state and federal trial and appellate courts. 

“John’s experience and leadership during a period of transition on our campus made him a standout among a strong group of applicants in our national search,” said Chancellor Jose V. Sartarelli. “He is a tremendous asset to the university.”

Scherer is a former major in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where he served in various active duty and multiple reserve positions.  He also litigated employment and civil rights cases as assistant general counsel for the Defense Commissary Agency. 

Scherer graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Davidson College with a bachelor’s degree in history. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Scherer is a member of the North Carolina Bar.

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The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to learning through the integration of teaching and mentoring with research and service. A public institution with over 14,000 students, the university is widely acknowledged for its superb faculty and staff and a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry, critical thinking, thoughtful expression and responsible citizenship. With an array of high-quality programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels, and doctoral programs in marine biology and educational leadership, UNCW is consistently recognized at a national level for academic excellence and affordability. The university is dedicated to offering a community rich in diversity and inclusion, global perspectives, and enriching the quality of life through scholarly community engagement in such areas as health, education, the economy, the environment, marine and coastal issues, and the arts.