Office of Legal Affairs Staff Members

The General Counsel is David E. Broome, Jr. He has practiced law in a higher education setting for nearly 30 years. He came to UNC Charlotte in December 2004, after more than ten years as an attorney at NC State University, where his practice focused on complex transactional matters in technology transfer, research-related matters, intellectual property and real estate. Over the course of his career, he has been involved in all areas of university legal work. He has administrative experience, having been responsible for the operation of the UNC-Chapel Hill Technology Transfer Office from the mid-1980’s through the early 1990’s. He has been involved in local and national organizations concerned with intellectual property and licensing and has made presentations at regional and national conferences.

Krista L. Newkirk is Senior Associate General Counsel. Krista came to the Office of Legal Affairs in October 2003 after several years of private law practice, first as a litigation attorney and then as in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 company. Her extensive background in business law includes handling software licensing, transportation, deregulated power supply contracts, intellectual property issues, and employment and discrimination matters. Krista has significant experience in trial practice and litigation management, particularly with regard to employment cases, construction, premises liability and workers' compensation, an area in which she has authored and presented state-approved continuing education seminars. Krista advises University administrators on a wide range of legal topics including research, technology transfer, contracts, employment and discrimination matters, intellectual property, licensing, and student affairs.

Amy S. Kelso is Senior Associate General Counsel. Amy telecommutes from her home office in Asheville, NC. She came to UNC Charlotte in September 1997 after clerking for the Chief Judge on the NC Court of Appeals and has been instrumental in facilitating the evolution of the legal office of the University from the traditional business and education model to one that utilizes and responds to advances in technology, particularly the expanding use of the Internet and its effects on both the administrative and learning aspects of the University. She conducts extensive computer-based research and writing and advises University administrators on a variety of legal issues in public higher education law, including policy development, contracts, employment, student affairs, intellectual property, discrimination, governance and accountability, computers and the Internet, and compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. [NOTE: Amy telecommutes from Asheville, NC, and may be reached at her off-campus office via email or by phone at 828/232-4990. Her fax number is a local Charlotte number: 704/973-7763.]

James E. S. ("Jesh") Humphrey, IV is Associate General Counsel. He joined the Office of Legal Affairs in August 2006. Jesh advises University administrators on a wide range of legal topics, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, contracts and student affairs. Jesh came to UNC Charlotte after spending two years in private practice as a corporate associate with Helms, Mulliss & Wicker, PLLC. In that role, Jesh advised corporate clients on business matters as well as local colleges and universities on various educational issues. He received a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law.

Patti Turner serves as Executive Assistant to the General Counsel. Patti has been handling administrative and office management matters for the Office of Legal Affairs since May 1996.

Shannon Homesley serves as a Paralegal for the Office of Legal Affairs and as the Administrative Assistant for the Associate and Assistant General Counsel. Shannon joined the office in March 2008.

The General Counsel's Office is on the fifth floor of the Reese Administration Building.

Phone: 704/687-5732

FAX: 704/687-3541

Updated November 11, 2008