About the Office of the General Counsel

The Office of the General Counsel provides counsel and representation on the broad range of legal matters affecting the University. The attorneys and support staff serve the University's Board of Control, president, administrators, faculty and staff in their official capacities to accomplish institutional objectives.

Examples of legal services provided to the University include:

• Coordinating the delivery of all legal services to the University
• Creating and reviewing drafts of institutional policies, rules and practices
• Reviewing contracts 
• Advising University officials regarding how the law may affect current and emerging business and policy decisions at the institution
• Facilitating legally compelled record requests and disclosures including, but not limited to, FOIA, subpoenas, etc.

General Counsel Services

Requests for Services:

Faculty & Staff: Requests for legal advice must be made with the approval of the appropriate Vice President, Associate/Assistant Vice President, or Dean.

Hiring Outside Legal Counsel - Only the Office of the General Counsel may hire or retain an attorney to represent the University.  Departments or offices that wish to hire an attorney must contact the Office of the General Counsel prior to any work being performed.  The only exception to this policy is attorneys that are retained to instruct classes and give public presentations.

Subpoenas, Warrants, and Delivery of other Legal Documents

• Received by mail: Subpoenas and other requests for University records or to testify regarding University business must be immediately forwarded to the Office of the General Counsel.
• Personal service: Only personnel in the Office of the General Counsel (Wickes 364A) or the Office of the Vice President of Administration and Business Affairs are authorized to sign a receipt when legal documents regarding University records or other activities are delivered in person.  No other staff member or faculty member should sign a receipt when a process server presents official legal documents. Please direct the individual to or contact the Office of the General Counsel, Administrative and Business Affairs Office, or the University Police. You may also request either office or the University Police to come to your location. 

Personal Legal Services for Faculty, Staff and Students - The Office of the General Counsel represents the University as distinct from its directors, officers, employees, members, shareholders, or other constituents. The office is not authorized to provide personal advice to University employees or students.

Below are legal resources for faculty, staff, or students who are in need of personal legal services:

Employee Assistance Program: +1 (800) 448-8326

Legal Services of Eastern Michigan: (800) 322-4512

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service: (800) 968-0738

Attorney Client Privilege

The attorney-client privilege preserves the confidentiality of communications between lawyers and their clients. The privilege protects individuals and institutions. Thus, communications that faculty and staff have with University attorneys (including outside legal counsel), in confidence, for the purpose of seeking legal advice concerning University legal matters, are protected by the attorney-client privilege from disclosure to opposing parties. Such communications are privileged whether they are oral, written or electronic.  For the privilege to exist, the communication must be to, from, or with an attorney. In addition, the communication must be for the purpose of requesting or receiving legal advice.

Communications must also be kept confidential for the privilege to apply. If the substance of attorney-client communications is disclosed to persons outside the University or to individuals within the University who are not involved in the matter, the privilege may be extinguished. Your communications with University attorneys should never be discussed with anyone outside the University, including family members or friends; within the University, they should be discussed only with persons who have responsibility for the particular matter.

All written communications (including e-mail) from University faculty and staff to University attorneys concerning legal matters should be marked “Privileged and Confidential” by the sender. While this marking is not essential to bring the communication within the attorney-client privilege, it can help to protect the communication from compelled disclosure in litigation.

In requesting or receiving legal advice concerning University business, be assured that The Office of the General Counsel will preserve the privileged nature of all communications. If you have any questions concerning the attorney-client privilege, please contact The Office of the General Counsel.