01.01 - Office of General Counsel 

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Last updated: February 28, 2023

A. Purpose. The purpose of this policy is to outline the function and authority of the University of Idaho Office of General Counsel (OGC).

B. Scope. This policy applies to all employees and students at the University of Idaho.

C. Policy

C-1. Responsibility. The OGC provides advice and legal services to the University of Idaho and all of its colleges, divisions, units, and related entities, on the broad range of legal matters affecting the University. The OGC represents the University of Idaho and may not represent individual employees or students except when these individuals are named as defendants in litigation as a result of actions or omissions within the course and scope of their employment or institutional representation. For personal legal advice, employees and students should consult a private attorney.

C-2. Retention of Outside Counsel. Due to the volume or to the specialized nature of legal services required by the University, it will sometimes be necessary to hire the services of attorneys outside of the OGC to represent the University. All outside legal counsel must be retained by the General Counsel, regardless of the source of funds that will pay for the outside legal counsel. Legal services to be rendered by any outside attorney shall be limited to the scope of services approved by the General Counsel, and the scope of services shall not be expanded without prior approval of the General Counsel.

C-3. Service of Process. Only the General Counsel or their designee shall accept service of legal process on behalf of the University. If an individual asks an employee or student to accept receipt of legal papers on the University’s behalf, the employee or student shall decline acceptance of the documents and direct the individual to the OGC.

C-4. Subpoenas and Other Requests for Information. The OGC manages the response to subpoenas and other requests for information, such as public record requests, to ensure compliance with privacy and other legal obligations. If an individual asks an employee or student to accept a subpoena or similar request for information, the employee or student shall decline acceptance of the documents and direct the individual to the OGC. Other requests for information, whether written or verbal, should be directed to the OGC.

Version History

Adopted February 2023.