HFC General Counsel honored as one of Crain’s Notable Women in Law

In late February, HFC General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Services Amy Clark, J.D. was named as one of Crain’s Notable Women in Law for 2024.

“I am honored to be included in such an accomplished and great group of women lawyers,” said Clark.

Clark was one of more than 30 attorneys in the Metro Detroit area to be named to this prestigious list. HFC President Russ Kavalhuna nominated Clark.

“Vice President Clark is one of the hardest-working, ethical, and accomplished attorneys I have worked with, and I am also an attorney,” said Kavalhuna. "She provides excellent legal counsel and risk assessments to me, the Board, and our executive team. I trust her not only with legal issues, but also with important College matters that require keen judgement and professionalism. These include hiring high-level employees and overseeing sensitive employee and student matters. She also brings a strong spirit of fairness and a well-placed sense of humor to our leadership team. We are lucky to have her at the College.”

Always had an interest in law

Clark and her husband have three adult children. She earned her juris doctor from what is now the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, graduating cum laude.

“Going into law was something I had always been interested in, even as a child. There is no single event that made me decide I wanted to be a lawyer,” she recalled.

Clark has been a practicing attorney for more than 30 years. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA).

“I like to help people solve their legal problems,” explained Clark. “I assist people in understanding and working through their legal problems and explaining all the legal risks involved.”

Working in various areas of the legal profession

Clark began her law career as an assistant prosecuting attorney. She was then recruited for a corporate attorney position, which she held for more than 12 years. She elected to leave that position to be a stay-at-home parent and returned to the legal profession as a part-time state district court magistrate. Afterward, Clark was hired as a judicial attorney for a Wayne County Third Circuit Court judge before joining HFC in 2016.

At HFC, Clark oversees all of the College’s legal operations, reviews College contracts, reviews and updates Board of Trustees policies and bylaws, provides legal advice on Board governance issues, and oversees all legal issues and litigation pertaining to HFC.

“I feel my best strengths are in providing legal advice and counsel to the president, my fellow vice presidents, and the Board,” said Clark. “I enjoy interacting and providing guidance to the College departments and working with the diverse population at HFC. I’m happy to work with an ethical and responsible group of people.”