Role and Mission

The Office of General Counsel is a service unit of the university within the Office of the President. The General Counsel reports directly to the President. The Office of General Counsel provides legal and policy analysis services to the university. The office supports all of the activities of the university through analysis and opinions related to the legal and policy issues inherent in teaching, research, outreach and related services. Specific office programs and services include: 

• advising the president and members of the president's staff;
• providing proactive legal services and responding to specific problems as they arise;
• reviewing and participating in the development of university policies to ensure compliance with applicable law and the polices and rules of the Regents of University of Idaho;
• managing legal claims made against the university and participating in internal review processes which might lead to legal claims;
• participating in the development of financial and contractual relationships throughout the university by, for example, negotiating and conceptualizing contractual content, reviewing contracts and sponsored research agreements, providing advice and drafting documents related to real estate transactions, and serving as in-house counsel on bond issues;
• providing advice in areas that support the strategic goals of the university in the next decade such as intellectual property, athletics, salary equity, diversity and distance learning and outreach;
• providing training to university employees on matters with significant legal implications.