William J. Castner Named Rutgers General Counsel
Rutgers University President William F. Tate IV appointed William J. Castner, an attorney who has held leadership positions at the highest levels of New Jersey’s public and private sectors, as the university’s executive vice president for legal affairs and general counsel.
The Rutgers Board of Governors approved Castner’s appointment, which is effective today, July 1, 2025.
“William Castner’s impressive experience, deep commitment to public service and stellar reputation in the legal field make him the ideal candidate for this critical role at Rutgers,” Tate said. “His vision and mature perspective about higher education and the law will help Rutgers University navigate the contours of public policy and the academy.”
Castner, who was selected after a national search, holds a law degree and a public policy master’s degree from Rutgers and comes to the position with extensive experience in both public and private practice. His leadership positions within New Jersey state government include chief counsel to former Governor Jon Corzine, commissioner on the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation and senior advisor to Governor Phil Murphy on firearms.
Castner’s positions in private practice include serving as director at the firm Gibbons PC, senior vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and most recently, chair of regulatory affairs and compliance at Connell Foley, LLP.
“I am honored to join Rutgers as general counsel and look forward to working with President Tate, the governing boards and the university community to support Rutgers’ mission of education, research and public service,” Castner said. “As a proud alum of Rutgers, I hope to promote and protect the important work of the university and its students.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree from Rowan University, Castner earned a master’s degree from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and a J.D. from the Rutgers School of Law-Camden. After working at the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services, Castner clerked for New Jersey Supreme Court Associate Justice James R. Zazzali, who went on to become chief justice, as well as for Presiding Judge for Administration of the Appellate Division Sylvia B. Pressler. Following his clerkships, Castner was appointed general counsel to the New Jersey General Assembly and later executive director. In 2010, Castner served as chief counsel to the Democratic members of the Apportionment Commission as well as the Redistricting Commission.
Castner received the Arthur E. Armitage Sr. Distinguished Alumni Award from the Rutgers School of Law-Camden Alumni Association in 2022.
“On behalf of the Rutgers University Board of Governors, I am pleased to welcome Bill Castner to the leadership team as executive vice president for legal affairs and chief counsel. Bill’s extraordinary breadth of legal experience – spanning government, private practice and strategic advisory roles – brings invaluable perspective to Rutgers at a pivotal time for higher education,” said Rutgers Board of Governors Chair Amy L. Towers. “His deep commitment to public service, sharp legal insight and nuanced understanding of New Jersey’s legal and policy landscape make him a vital addition to our university. We are confident that Bill will provide wise and forward-thinking counsel as we advance Rutgers’ mission and values in the years ahead."
In a message to members of the Rutgers community announcing the executive vice president for legal affairs and general counsel appointment, Tate noted the title has been elevated from senior vice president in recognition of the increasingly critical work this position conducts within the university.
Tate also thanked John Farmer for his outstanding service as interim general counsel. Farmer is retiring after serving many years in several leadership roles at Rutgers, including Rutgers Law School dean, university general counsel, director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics and director of the Miller Center for Community Protection and Resilience, which is affiliated with Eagleton and Rutgers Law School.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national research university and the state of New Jersey’s preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Established in 1766, the university is the eighth-oldest higher education institution in the United States. More than 69,000 students and 27,000 faculty and staff learn, work and serve the public at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Rutgers University-Newark, Rutgers University-Camden and Rutgers Health.
