Michael B. Gebhardt, who has served as Temple University’s interim university counsel and secretary to the Board of Trustees since March, has received permanent appointments to both positions, effective immediately.

“Michael and his highly capable staff not only provide effective and efficient legal services. They also promote the best interests of the university with the highest levels of professionalism,” President Neil D. Theobald said. “I am confident that Michael will continue to serve Temple and support our Board of Trustees with distinction.”

Temple’s Office of University Counsel, which includes six attorneys, a paralegal and administrative staff, oversees legal affairs for all of Temple’s campuses, both domestic and international, as well as the Temple University Health System.

Gebhardt joined Temple as associate university counsel in June 2006 and was named deputy university counsel in August 2011. In March, he assumed the responsibilities of Temple’s late Senior Vice President, University Counsel and Secretary George E. Moore, who passed away March 2.

“What I most enjoy about Temple is the sheer variety of matters – from corporate governance to policy development to interpretation of statutes and regulations – that we handle daily and the challenges and opportunities it presents,” Gebhardt said. “I am grateful for this incredible opportunity and look forward to doing everything I can to support the president, the board and Temple.”

Prior to joining Temple, Gebhardt served as associate general counsel at Tulane University in New Orleans. He also has served as vice president and associate counsel for investment bank Robertson Stephens Inc., in San Francisco; associate in the California-based law firm of Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich LLP; and associate editor of the legal newspaper The Recorder in California.

He earned his law degree from Tulane after graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.