Matthew C. Dolan

General Counsel
B.B.A. University of Notre Dame, J.D. University of San Diego, LL.M. George Washington University

Matthew Dolan was appointed General Counsel at Catholic University in August 2021.  Mr. Dolan oversees Catholic University legal matters, including legal issues related to employment, student policies and discipline, procurement, real estate, intellectual property, immigration, litigation, and risk management. Mr. Dolan directs a talented team composed of two attorneys and one administrative professional. Mr. Dolan is a member of the Catholic University Leadership Cabinet. 

Prior to joining Catholic University, Mr. Dolan worked for the firm of Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan and Freeh Group International Solutions from 2012 to 2021. His prior experience included leading major global investigations into NMC Healthcare, FIFA, and Mercy Corps. In addition, Mr. Dolan had extensive experience in higher education, leading compliance reviews and investigations related to the NCAA basketball bribery case, collegiate admissions scandal, and several sexual assault investigations, including Penn State. Mr. Dolan also served as Fraud and Ethics advisor to the Deepwater Horizon Economic Claims Center (“DHECC”) responsible for adjudication of claims with an estimated value of over $10 billion.  

Dolan's service at the Freeh Group followed his 24-year career as an officer in the United States Navy. His assignments included service as a Navy SEAL, trial attorney, and legal advisor to several operational commands.  He concluded his career as senior legal advisor for the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Mr. Dolan graduated from University of Notre Dame in 1988, obtained his law degree from University of San Diego in 1996, and received an LL.M from George Washington University in 2005. He is the proud father to three adult children and has been happily married to Karin Dinan Dolan since 1994.

Lydia K. Woods

Associate General Counsel
B.A. The Catholic University of America; J.D. Notre Dame Law School

As Associate General Counsel, Ms. Woods assists the General Counsel in overseeing Catholic University's wide ranging legal matters. Prior to joining the General Counsel's office, Ms. Woods worked in private practice representing veteran clients in litigation in the U.S. Court of Appeals of Veterans Claims.  Ms. Woods also previously clerked for Justice Michelle D. Hotten on the Supreme Court of Maryland and clerked on the Appellate Court of Maryland for Justice Steven B. Gould, who has since been elevated to the Supreme Court of Maryland.

Ms. Woods is a graduate of Catholic University and Notre Dame Law School, and is grateful for the opportunity to serve her alma mater in a legal capacity. She is married to Gil McPherson and has two young children, with a third on the way.

Karen Forsythe

Office Manager/Legal Assistant
B.A. University of Dallas

Karen Forsythe began working as the legal assistant for the Office of the General Counsel in February 2022. Karen assists attorneys with legal research, oversees office finances, and carries out various administrative tasks as needed. During her undergraduate career, Karen interned with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as an Operations Intern. Also during this time, she worked as a Business Analyst for Virtual Service Operations–a subcontractee of NYS’ Department of Labor.

Directly prior to starting with Catholic University, Karen worked at University of Dallas’ Business Office as a financial analyst. She is happily married to Duncan Forsythe and has one young child.