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The Office of the General Counsel supports the education, research and extension missions of the University of Nebraska by providing legal advice to foster sound decision-making in all areas of operation, instruction, research and administration.

Our function is to provide, manage and coordinate a full range of quality legal services—including legal counsel and representation, litigation and legal risk management, contract drafting and review, and compliance oversight—and other services and counsel to the University, its administrators and employees at all campuses and University affiliated entities. It is the goal of our Office to provide counsel to minimize legal risk and costs, reduce litigation exposure, and ensure legal compliance—and to do so efficiently, expeditiously, reliably and professionally.

The Office of the General Counsel represents the University, including individual employees acting in their official capacities. The office does not represent individual faculty, students, staff members or administrators in personal legal matters outside the scope of their business as University officials. The Office of the General Counsel engages outside counsel to work on particular matters when considerations—such as cost and specialized subject matter—make it appropriate to do so. University personnel should not contact outside counsel concerning University business without prior consultation with our office. Similarly, all communications from outside attorneys should be referred to our office.

Can I access the legal services of the Office of the General Counsel?

Campus administration needs to be informed about any potential legal concerns on their campus, prior to the engagement of legal counsel. Before members of the campus community contact the Office of the General Counsel, they should first confirm that they have the authority to do so, in accordance with the applicable rules at their campus. (For example, a campus may require an employee to first notify the Vice Chancellor for Business & Finance or the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, prior to contacting the University’s attorneys.)

In emergencies where life, property or other University interests are at immediate risk, employees should contact University legal counsel with or without formal authority. Even then, it is important to notify campus administrators that you have contacted the Office of the General Counsel due to an emergency.