Kevin Wleklinski, Associate Director, Contracts

We are excited to announce the appointment of Kevin Wleklinski (pronounciation Vleh-KLIN-skee) as the new Associate Director, Contracts at the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP).

Kevin brings a wealth of experience spanning over eight years in progressive roles at the University of Illinois Chicago's Office of Sponsored Programs. Most recently, Kevin served as the Assistant Director - Contracts, where he managed signatory authority for the university. In this role, he was instrumental in identifying intellectual property concerns, navigating federal acquisition regulations (FARs), and coordinating export control-related matters.

Starting as a Sponsored Projects Specialist, Kevin gained extensive expertise in contract negotiations, with a particular focus on clinical trial agreements, material transfer, confidentiality, and data use agreements. His adept management of varied and complex contracts will contribute significantly to this role.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin transitioned into the role of Team Lead – Contracts, where he advanced his negotiation skills and led a team of legal interns and contract specialists.

He developed training protocols and standard operating procedures, ensuring compliance with legal research obligations while fostering a collaborative environment.

An advocate for continuous professional growth, Kevin seeks out opportunities for development and shares his knowledge with peers. He has trained colleagues on best contracting practices and supported search committees for new hires. As a guest speaker at Marquette University Law School, he provided invaluable insights into research law and clinical trials, furthering his commitment to advancing the field.

Kevin holds a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review. He also graduated magna cum laude from Marquette University.

We are thrilled to welcome Kevin to the ORSP team.