Harvard University, still reeling from controversies surrounding its former president and allegations that it failed to adequately protect Jewish students from antisemitism, has hired a former general counsel for the Department of Defense as legal chief.

Jennifer O’Connor, who also is a former White House attorney, is joining Harvard from defense contractor Northrop Grumman, where she was vice president of technology and information law and policy. She succeeds Diane Lopez, who retired in February after 30 years at the school, the last five as GC.