Staff Directory

Brian White serves as Wake Forest University’s Vice President and General Counsel and as Corporate Secretary for the University. Brian came to Wake Forest from the University of Kansas, where he served as Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs and General Counsel. Brian graduated with a B.A. from the University of Iowa and a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law

ASSISTANT CONTACT INFO

Linda Klein
336.758.5926
lklein@wfu.edu

Dina earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from Drake University and her Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University. Dina joined the Office of General Counsel in 2001. Her practice areas include compliance, privacy and security, and student issues.

ASSISTANT CONTACT INFO

Resi McKenzie
336.758.6100
mckenzr@wfu.edu

Pete earned his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and biology from the University of Kansas and his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Pete joined the Office of General Counsel in 2019 after 11 years in-house at Kansas State University. His primary practice areas include those that affect intercollegiate athletics.

Mary joined the Legal team at Wake Forest University in January of 2022.  Prior to joining the team at Wake Forest, Mary worked as an in-house attorney for several years at UNC-Chapel Hill and in private practice at a regional law firm in Charlotte.  Mary’s legal practice focuses primarily on labor and employment issues.

Ryan earned his Bachelor of Science in business and Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University. He began as Associate General Counsel at Wake Forest University in 2024. Prior to joining the legal team at Wake Forest University, Ryan worked as an in-house attorney for a private university in Tennessee and in private practice for a midsize law firm in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana.  His practice areas include Wake Forest University Health Sciences and the School of Medicine, contracts, procurement, donations and gift agreements, and property.

Carrie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in urban studies from Rhodes College, her Master of Arts degree in teaching from Johns Hopkins University, and her Juris Doctor degree from Elon University. She joined the Office of General Counsel at Wake Forest in 2023. Previously, Carrie served as an attorney for the University of North Carolina System. Her practice areas include contracts, procurement, donations and gifts, finance, real property, construction, and intellectual property.

Cliffton earned both his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Georgia. He joined the Office of General Counsel in 2026. Prior to joining Wake Forest, Cliffton represented institutions within the University System of Georgia, first as a Legal Fellow in the University of Georgia’s Office of Legal Affairs and later for four years as Georgia State University’s primary attorney for student-focused matters. Cliffton’s practice focuses primarily on campus life and student issues.

Jada, our first Wake Forest/Husch Blackwell Education Law Fellow began working with the Office of General Counsel in June of 2024. Jada earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Young Harris College in 2018, where she was also a NCAA Division II student athlete. She earned her Juris Doctor and Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University Schools of Law and Divinity, respectively. She looks forward to specializing her work throughout her career as a higher education attorney.

Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Dartmouth College and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky. Rachel joined the Office of General Counsel in 2018. Rachel’s work focuses on managing claims and litigation that impact the University.

Ginger received her undergraduate degree in Business Law from Western Carolina University.  She has been a member of the University’s Office of General Counsel since 2006, and has worked as a paralegal since 1988.  Ginger is a North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal. Her work focuses on real estate matters and contract review.

Julie received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Sciences/Economics and her post-graduate Paralegal Certification from Meredith College. She has been a member of the Office of General Counsel since March 2024, and a paralegal since 2004. Her work focuses on intercollegiate athletics, regulatory/compliance, and health sciences.

Linda began her career in the Office of General Counsel at the School of Medicine in 2001. She joined the Reynolda Campus Office of General Counsel in December of 2004 first to support the Board of Trustees and then in July of 2006 she became Assistant to the Senior Vice President and General Counsel and is currently Executive Assistant to Brian White, Vice President and General Counsel. Linda completed her studies at the Bradford School of Business in Pittsburgh, PA in 1981.

Resi joined the Wake Forest University Office of General Counsel in May of 2024. Resi is the first point of contact for the department and handles the scheduling of all the attorneys. Resi received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Converse College in 2013.