Kathy A. Ahearn, Counsel To New York State Board Of Regents And State Education Department, Announces Departure

Kathy A. Ahearn has announced her resignation as Counsel and Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs for the New York State Board of Regents and the State Education Department. She will be leaving at the end of June to pursue a new opportunity with a law firm in the private sector.

In her March 6 letter of resignation to the Regents, Ahearn wrote, "It has been almost sixteen years since former Commissioner Sobol appointed me Counsel, and twenty years since I joined the State Education Department. On every day since then, I have been privileged and honored to serve the Commissioner, the Board of Regents, the Education Department and the people of the State of New York, particularly the children."

Regents Chancellor Robert M. Bennett said, "Kathy has been an extraordinary Counsel to the Board, serving as a tremendous source of guidance.  She is an outstanding attorney and we wish her continued great success."

Commissioner Richard P. Mills said, "My colleagues and I all remember examples of Kathy’s ability to explain the most complex of legal issues without advance notice. She is a gentle person who nevertheless does not lose in court. She has been the person trusted by both the Regents and me to serve as acting commissioner when I have been on leave. She has performed to the highest standards in that role and I never had to worry.  We are grateful for her leadership, friendship, and long service to the Regents and the State Education Department."

Ms. Ahearn holds a B.A. in political science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she graduated magna cum laude and was Phi Betta Kappa. She earned her J.D. from New York University School of Law.