Indianapolis, May 29, 2018—Clark J. Brown will join the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) team as General Counsel beginning Aug. 31. In this role, Brown will provide expert counsel to the NIC, advocating for student and organization rights and responsibilities. He will oversee implementation of the forthcoming standard operating procedures for Interfraternity Councils (IFCs), and collaborate with key stakeholders to provide advocacy and expertise around campus relationship statements.
Additionally, he will lead establishment of all legal agreements and requirements within the NIC’s SocialSafe system, including third-party registrations, protocols for student organizations in signing and executing contracts, and other legal considerations for safe events.
Brown comes to the NIC from Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fraternity, where he has served as General Counsel since 2013. He has been a powerful change agent for SAE and the industry, demonstrating a commitment to health and safety and a positive interfraternal experience. He was a major force in SAE’s elimination of pledging and adoption of its holistic member education program, and during his tenure, SAE’s litigation and insurance-claims exposure decreased to record lows.
“Clark is a dedicated brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and steadfast believer in fraternity,” said SAE CEO Mike Sophir. “His insight and perspective have greatly benefited SAE and thus the entire interfraternal movement. I am proud to see Clark take on a role with the NIC that offers even greater opportunity to make an impact.”
Prior to his role as General Counsel for SAE, Brown was an attorney in private practice at a litigation firm and a judicial law clerk (staff attorney) to the Honorable Kristine G. Baker, United States District Judge of the U.S. District Court in Little Rock, Arkansas. Brown has gained broad and valuable experience in legal and risk management issues in higher education with a particular focus on insurance matters.
“Clark’s knowledge and expertise around the work we’re doing is a tremendous asset to the interfraternal community in advocating for students’ rights,” said NIC President & CEO Judson Horras. “He is dedicated to a meaningful fraternity experience and has a vast understanding for the considerations our organizations, IFCs, alumni and undergraduate members face as they foster safe and vibrant communities.” Brown is a two-time graduate of the University of Arkansas. He earned a B.A. in political science then J.D. from the School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude and served as executive editor of the Arkansas Law Review. His published work has been cited multiple times by the Arkansas Supreme Court.
“I am honored to take this position during a critical time for our organizations, and I am thankful for the experience I gained serving my fraternity,” Brown said. “Chapters and IFCs must focus on instilling fraternal values and principles within young men, helping them understand their role in health and safety of fellow students and productivity of their communities. I firmly support the positive impact fraternity can have, and look forward to continued advocacy of that experience as part of the NIC team.”
