Clemson University names new general counsel

Published: January 20, 2012

CLEMSON — Clemson University has named an alumnus with 21 years of legal experience ranging from trial litigation to managing a university research foundation to be its new general counsel.   

W.C. "Chip" Hood, who currently serves as executive director and attorney for the Medical University of South Carolina Foundation for Research Development, will begin a new assignment as Clemson’s chief legal adviser in April.

"Chip was selected after an excellent search process that drew outstanding candidates and involved input from the entire campus," said President James F. Barker. "He brings not only a wealth of relevant experience but also a set of values that make him a good fit for Clemson. He practices high performance with high integrity."

Hood succeeds the late Clay Steadman, who died unexpectedly April 17, 2011, after serving as general counsel for seven years.

Hood earned a bachelor of science in electrical engineering from Clemson in 1985, a master's in biomedical science from MUSC and a juris doctor degree from the University of South Carolina.

"I am truly honored to be called to serve my alma mater and follow in the footsteps of my friend and colleague Clay Steadman," said Hood. "With the outstanding legal team that Clay assembled I am confident that we can help Clemson become one of the nation’s top-20 public universities."

As legal counsel and then head of MUSC's research foundation, Hood has provided leadership and strategies for MUSC's university-industry partnerships, economic development activities and entrepreneurial activities. He has provided advice on a range of legal matters, including not-for-profit law, research contracts, intellectual property and technology transfer, international collaborations and human resources, as well as assisted with university policy development and strategic planning.

Previously, he led the Charleston office of Needle and Rosenberg, an Atlanta-based intellectual property firm, where he represented major research universities across the country, including Clemson.

Hood also ran his own litigation practice in Charleston; was an associate with Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth and Detrick, P.A., in Hampton, S.C.; and an electronics engineer for the U.S. Navy’s Naval Electronics Systems Engineering Center (now SPAWAR) in Charleston. He also has served as an adjunct professor at the Charleston School of Law, teaching courses related to intellectual property, patents and licensing. Hood is member of the South Carolina Bar and a registered patent attorney.

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