The Office of University Counsel ("UC") manages the legal affairs of the university.  It provides legal counsel, litigation and legal risk management, contract drafting and review, compliance oversight and preventative advice to Kent State University.  It serves an advisory as well as educational function within the college community, providing training to deans, chairs and managers in matters of potential legal risk to the university.

The UC office provides counsel in decision making in all areas of the university, including: the Board of Trustees when requested; the President, Vice Presidents and Provost, Deans and Directors; faculty, supervisors and other employees acting in their capacity as employees; and student organization leaders regarding contracts and, in limited circumstances, legal issues confronting their organizations.  It represents the university in all legal matters, including federal and state litigation, administrative and regulatory hearings, and local business, property and other concerns.

Each attorney in the UC office also has the designation of Assistant Attorney General for the state of Ohio.  Some examples of the types of legal services provided by the UC to the university include:

• litigation management;
• reviewing, drafting, negotiating, and enforcing legal documents such as contracts, conveyances, internal policies and procedures, licenses, and gift documents;
• working with departments during audits, investigations, and other compliance reviews;
• advising and assisting with property matters, labor relations, personnel and EEO matters, insurance and risk management, tax and business issues, and patent, trademark and copyright issues; and
• participating in student, faculty and staff grievance and disciplinary proceedings.

Communications regarding legal matters with the UC attorneys on behalf of Kent State University are ordinarily protected by attorney-client privilege and are confidential.  The UC office is not allowed to provide personal legal advice but can provide referrals if needed.  Communications to our office through e-mail are not necessarily secure and hence their confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.