Office of General Counsel
About us
The Office of General Counsel represents University of Idaho in all legal matters arising from university business. 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.
Attorneys in the Office of General Counsel have the sole authority to obtain legal services from attorneys outside the office regarding university matters. The office does not represent and cannot provide legal advice to students, except in their role as employees of the university. The office only provides legal advice about matters related to official university business and cannot advise persons who may have a claim against the university or one of its employees.
Meet our people
Gina Taruscio
Executive Assistant
ginat@uidaho.edu
Kim Rytter
General Counsel
kimrytter@uidaho.edu
Kent Nelson
Special Counsel
kentn@uidaho.edu
Edith Pacillo
Senior Associate General Counsel
elpacillo@uidaho.edu
Karl Klein
Senior Associate General Counsel
karlklein@uidaho.edu
Patrick Grace
Senior Associate General Counsel
patrickg@uidaho.edu
Manisha Wilson
Associate General Counsel
manishacw@uidaho.edu
Diane Whitney
Director of University Policy and Compliance
dwhitney@uidaho.edu
Matt Brewer
Associate Athletic Director for NCAA Compliance
mbrewer@uidaho.edu
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. Specific office programs and services:
- 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 and distance learning and outreach.
- Providing training to university employees on matters with significant legal implications.
Disclaimer
Materials presented are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice from the Office of General Counsel. An attorney should be consulted regarding the specific facts and circumstances associated with any legal matter. No warranties or representations are made as to the accuracy of any information presented here or at any of the websites to which a link is provided, and the inclusion of a link or reference is not intended to be or imply an endorsement. Any discrepancy between the information presented here and the official rules and policies of the Regents of University of Idaho and University of Idaho is not intended to and does not alter or amend the official rules and policies.