She graduated from Witwatersrand University inJohannesburg in 1966, and earned her J.D. fromYale Law School in 1976.
As president of the 8400 member Boston BarAssociation, she emphasized public serviceprojects, racial and ethnic diversity, and calledfor the legal profession to be friendly to womenattorneys with families. Marshall has nochildren.
Only the second woman president of the BostonBar Association, Marshall is also the second womanto serve as a Harvard vice president. Bostonmagazine called her a "statuesque blond businesslitigator," in a breathless profile that appearedin its April 1992 issue.
Marshall is also active on many state legalboards and advisory panels.
Those interviewed yesterday reacted favorablyto the news of Marshall's appointment.
Said Steiner, who was not involved in theselection process, "She's a great person. She is ahighly competent lawyer and very humaneindividual...a person who has a goodunderstanding, I think, of universities and whowill be sensitive to the special problems thatuniversities and their constituencies face."
"It's a first-rate appointment," Steiner said.
Pound Professor of Law James Vorenberg '49, aformer dean of the Law School, said Marshall is"one of the most respected lawyers in the city."
Vorenberg said Marshall combines very broadlegal interests with special concern for Harvard.
"She cares a lot about universities in generaland Harvard in particular," said Vorenberg, along-time friend of Marshall.
Assistant Professor of Law Charles J. Ogletreedescribed Marshall yesterday as "an excellentlawyer, a terrific mediator and negotiator."
Marshall, Ogletree said, boasts "a wide net ofardent supporters."
"Her greatest strength is that she is friendlywith faculty and administrators across theUniversity," Ogletree said.
Vice President for Government, Community andPublic Affairs John H. Shattuck said, "I think shewill be a strong addition to the group of peoplewho are working closely with the president."
And Fairchild Professor of Law Andrew L.Kaufman '51 said, "she brings good lawyeringexperience and good public service experience tothe job."
Bussey Professor of Law Frank E. A. Sander '48said Marshall may have been tempted to leave herpartner's spot at Choate, Hall & Stewart becauseof the interesting and board legal intellectualchallenges of the Harvard general counsel's job.He said Marshall has expertise in alternativemethods of dispute resolution, and called her, "adistinguished lawyer with wide-ranging experienceand excellent judgement."
Frank J. Connors, acting general counsel, saidhe is looking forward to working with Marshall. Hehailed her as "a great addition to theUniversity." Connors will resume his post asUniversity attorney in November.
Gady A. Epstein contributed to the reportingof this story.