Willis Walker
Chief University Counsel/Interim VP of HR
B.A., Political Science, University of Akron
J.D., University of Akron School of Law
LLM, Boston University School of Law

Willis Walker began practicing law in 1981 and joined the Office of University Counsel in 1999. Prior to joining the University, Mr. Walker served as Vice President/General Counsel/Corporate Secretary for Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies, Inc. in Idaho Falls, Idaho and Assistant Chief Counsel for Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Mr. Walker also served as Special Counsel to the state of Ohio, Office of Attorney General; Assistant Law Director, city of Chillicothe; and private practice attorney in Chillicothe, Ohio.

In his current role as Chief University Counsel, Mr. Walker is responsible for overseeing the legal affairs of the University and managing the Office of University Counsel.

He can be reached at 330-672-2982, or via email at wwalker@kent.edu.


 Jim Watson
 Associate University Counsel
 B.A., Kent State University
 J.D., University of Akron  

Jim Watson has held various positions at Kent State University since 1978 and began practicing law and representing the University in 1983.  Mr. Watson’s primary practice areas are contracts, real estate, construction, business negotiations, trademark licensing and insurance. 

Mr. Watson also carries the title of Special Assistant to the President for Athletics and is the staff liaison with the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics for the President. 

He can be reached at 330-672-2982, or via email at jwatson1@kent.edu.

 David L. Ochmann
 Associate University Counsel
 B.A., Kent State University
 M.A., Kent State University
 J.D., University of Akron

David L. Ochmann began practicing law in 1991 and joined the staff of the Office of University Counsel in 1997. Mr. Ochmann’s primary practice areas are employment litigation, human resources, including affirmative action, diversity, personnel and workers compensation matters. 

He can be reached at 330-672-2982 or via email at dochmann@kent.edu.

  Constance Hawke
 Associate University Counsel
 B.A., Bowling Green State University
 J.D., Cleveland Marshall College of Law
 Ph.D., Kent State University

Constance Hawke began practicing law in 1978 and joined the staff of the Office of University Counsel in 2000.  Dr. Hawke’s primary practice areas are technology transfer, technology partnerships, and intellectual property. Dr. Hawke also acts as the federal liaison for the University on funding and compliance matters. 

She can be reached at 330-672-2982, or via email at chawke@kent.edu.

Michael Pfahl
Assistant University Counsel
B.S., Kent State University

J.D., University of Akron 

Michael Pfahl joined the University Counsel staff in 2006. His primary areas of law are employment, administrative and contract, immigration and international law and university policy development. 

Mr. Pfahl also is responsible for the maintenance of the University Policy Register, and handles the visa and permanent residency options for university employees. He is certified in Human Resource Studies by the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

He can be reached at 330-672-2982 or mpfahl@kent.edu.

Carla Wyckoff
Communications Manager
HR/University Counsel
B.S., Miami University
Master of Liberal Studies, Kent State University

Carla Wyckoff has been with Kent State since 1988 and joined the University Counsel staff in 2008. She oversees communications for both the Counsel office and the Division of Human Resources, including the Web sites for each area.  Ms. Wyckoff is also responsible for coordinating the university’s employee-recognition events that are held throughout the year.

Ms. Wyckoff can be reached at 330-672-5857 or cwyckof1@kent.edu