Debra Zumwalt, Stanford University’s vice president and general counsel, retired at the end of August after more than a quarter-century helping steer the university through some of its most consequential legal challenges. During her 26-year tenure, Zumwalt dramatically expanded Stanford’s Office of the General Counsel, growing it from a four-person operation into a team of more than 40 attorneys and staff serving the many dimensions of the university and its affiliated institutions.

After graduating from Stanford Law, Zumwalt joined Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, where she became a partner, before returning to Stanford as senior university counsel and later becoming general counsel.

In Stanford Daily coverage of her retirement, Zumwalt said, “I am very grateful for the education I received at Stanford Law School, which allowed me to do all the interesting legal work I have done in the last 46 years, both at Stanford and in a law firm.” SL