The University has begun advertising the position of vice president and general counsel which was vacated by Margaret H. Marshal when she was appointed to the State Judiciary Court last month.

Marshall's replacement could be named within the next four months, University officials said.

Harvard will canvas alumni and legal professionals across the country to find prospective applicants, as well as consulting with University personnel, President Neil L. Rudenstine said in an interview last month.

Advertisements for the position have appeared in the Chronicle of Higher Education, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and the Harvard Gazette, according to University spokesperson Joe Wrinn.

Rudenstine said the University hopes to end the application process at the beginning of December and make an appointment two to three months later.

In the meantime, University attorneys Anne Taylor and Robert B. Donin have been named acting general counsel.

Rudenstine said the University will look for candidates from both inside and outside Harvard, saying that both have certain advantages. He refused to express a preference for one or the other.

The familiarity with Harvard's structure that an inside candidate would have could ease the transition, he said.

"If you have an excellent person who knows the rhythm of the institution and has already dealt with the personnel, it gives a head start," Rudenstine said.

An outside candidate can bring a new perspective to the job. And if he or she can quickly absorb new tasks, transitional difficulties would be minimized, Rudenstine said.

"No single thing would tip it one way or the other," Rudenstine said. "We're just looking for the best person."