In June 2007, Iris Brest began a one-year term, pro bono, as special counsel on legal issues related to grants, contracts and compliance with legal requirements; she will also assess the Foundation's needs for permanent inside counsel. She reports to Vice President Susan Bell and works with Grants Administration and program staff.* 

From 1969 through 1995, Ms. Brest served in various counsel roles at Stanford University, where she was Associate General Counsel from 1989 to 1995; her responsibilities included nonprofit law, procedures regarding research and scientific integrity, intellectual property law, interactions with federal regulatory agencies, and research grants and contracts. 

Subsequently, Ms. Brest was vice president and general counsel for SyStemix (1995-1997) and general counsel for StemCells, Inc. (1999-2007)—both biotech companies  Ms. Brest holds an A.B. (1961) with honors (Mathematics) from Swarthmore College, an LLB (1966) cum laude from Harvard Law School.  She was a non-matriculated student in Mechanical Engineering (Product Design) at Stanford University (1997-99).

* Even though she receives no compensation, to avoid the potential conflict of interest arising out of Ms. Brest’s relationship to the president of the Foundation, her appointment was approved and scope of responsibilities delimited in accordance with the advice of outside counsel.  The appointment was approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors in executive session, in the absence of the president.  The Board’s resolution and opinion are available on request from Eric Brown, ebrown at hewlett.org.