The General Counsel is available to provide legal advice and representation to St. Olaf College and its regents, administrators, faculty, staff and students when they are performing services on the college’s behalf. The services of the General Counsel include advice and counsel on all matters having legal significance for the college, coordination of outside legal counsel handling legal matters on St. Olaf’s behalf, assistance with policy development, review of contracts, and training on liability and risk prevention.
You may contact the General Counsel at any time, and you are encouraged to do so early on in matters in which legal issues may arise. If you have received a legal notice involving the college, such as a lawsuit or subpoena, please notify the General Counsel immediately. As the college’s attorney, the General Counsel cannot provide legal advice or representation to individuals in connection with matters against the college or with other personal matters.
When providing and receiving legal advice in connection with the college’s operations, communications with the General Counsel are attorney-client privileged communications and therefore are confidential. The privilege over these communications belongs to the college. Communications with the General Counsel on personal legal matters (including matters against the college) or on non-legal matters are not privileged or confidential. As someone who has the duty to act in the best interests of the college, the General Counsel may be obligated to disclose any such communications to other college officials if the communications implicate the college’s legal interests. If you are not sure whether your matter is college-related or a personal one, please check with the General Counsel before sending any communications that you wish to remain confidential.
The information and materials on this website provide general information. Nothing contained herein shall be construed or relied upon as a contract or as legal advice. The Office of the General Counsel is available to assist with St. Olaf College-related legal matters. The General Counsel represents the College only, and cannot provide legal advice to students, staff, faculty or other community members on personal matters.
The Office of the General Counsel is committed to providing an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of all. As with all St. Olaf programs and activities, the Office of the General Counsel does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, or any other legally protected status.