The Role of Legal Affairs:

The Office of Legal Affairs (abbreviated "OLA") manages and supervises all legal matters for the University.

The Office of Legal Affairs strives to advance the mission of the University by collaboratively working with University partners to provide timely, strategic and creative advice toward sound decision-making in all issues that face the University. Our attorneys work closely with University leadership, faculty, and staff who encounter projects or other issues with legal implications in the course of their work for the University. OLA aims to be proactive rather than reactive, and seeks to provide preventative counsel and training in order to anticipate and minimize risks before they become financial, operational, strategic, or reputational issues for the University community.*

Additionally, OLA may occasionally retain outside counsel to help serve specific legal needs of the University, and supervises such professional services.  

Legal advice from the Office of Legal Affairs is protected by the attorney-client privilege, with the privilege belonging to the University.

If you encounter legal questions or concerns as you carry out your job duties for the University, please contact us using the information behind the "CONTACT US" link (at the bottom of the list of links on this page).  We also welcome suggestions regarding information or educational topics which could be addressed on this webpage.  Please note:  We cannot offer advice to or represent individuals in their personal capacities.

The purpose of this webpage is to familiarize the University community with the services of OLA.  The content on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. 

* The Office of Legal Affairs recognizes that other staff or faculty of the University may have juris doctorate degrees and may even be licensed to practice law in Ohio.  However, only attorneys employed or retained by the Office of Legal Affairs are authorized to represent the University in legal matters (meaning, attorney-client privilege does not attach to communications with any attorneys not officially representing the University).