In a surprise career move he described as merely a "bureaucratic shuffle," Allan A. Ryan, Jr. announced last week his intention to leave his post as University attorney in the Office of the General Counsel.

He will soon assume the role of director of intellectual property for the publishing operations of Harvard Business School.

In an eclectic Harvard legal career spanning 15 years, Ryan has worked in courtrooms, as well as for museums, libraries and publishers.

As a jack-of-all-trades, he became the University's point person on sweatshop issues, forging a close relationship with the opposition, Students Against Sweatshops (SAS).

Of this high-profile role, he said, "It ended up almost by accident on my desk."

"A few years ago, students began to speak out about sweatshops and I was approached about what to do. I said, 'Talk to them,' and I became the contact person almost by default," Ryan said.

Benjamin L. McKean '02, a member of SAS, said that he respects Ryan.

"He genuinely did care about the University's involvement in sweatshops. He's very smart about what the University could do."

Another SAS member, Madeleine S. Elfenbein '04, said working with Ryan was productive.

"He seemed really dedicated to the process of resolving differences with the administration and Students Against Sweatshops," she said. "I really hope they'll put in someone as good as he is."

Ryan admitted his differences with the students' positions, but attributes these disagreements to personal convictions.

"I don't always agree with the students, and I often tell them that bluntly," Ryan said.

Despite being at odds, Ryan said, "I listen to them, and they listen to me."

General Counsel Anne Taylor said she hasn't yet thought about whom might be appointed his successor.

"It's a great loss to the general counsel's office," she said. "He's a great colleague [and] we've worked together for a number of years."