Contact Us
Office of the General Counsel
University of Alberta
3-03 South Academic Building (SAB)
11328 - 89 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T6G 2G7
Canada
Telephone: 780-492-8995
Fax: 780-492-8990
Roles and Responsibilities
Brad Hamdon, KC
General Counsel
780-492-8997
brad.hamdon@ualberta.ca
Brad Hamdon, KC, graduated from the University of Alberta law school in 1990. After practising at a law firm in Edmonton for five years, he held positions in the legal department of Enbridge Pipelines and EPCOR Utilities prior to joining the U of A as its first General Counsel in 2004.
As General Counsel, Brad leads a team that manages the provision of all legal services for the university and that provides legal advice to the board, the senior executive team, deans, chairs, directors and others. In addition, Brad oversees the privacy, records management and policy offices at the University.
- negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts
- manages the relationship with external legal counsel
- drafts and reviews policies and procedures
- provides legal education
- liaises with internal and external stakeholders
Kimberly Marchuk
Legal Assistant to the Office of General Counsel
780-492-8995
kimberly.marchuk@ualberta.ca
- revises various legal documents and contracts
- conducts legal research
- arranges and co-ordinates meetings and events
- manages calendar and schedules meetings/appointments for the entire Office of General Counsel
- establishes and maintains confidential files and record-keeping systems
- budget
- meeting minutes
- general office management
Jaxine Oltean
Associate General Counsel
780-492-1237
jaxine.oltean@ualberta.ca
Jaxine Oltean graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 2000. Prior to joining the University of Alberta in December of 2014, she was counsel for the Attorney General of Canada in the Department of Justice Canada for 12 years, with a focus on civil litigation and administrative law.
- provides legal advice in the areas of human rights, privacy, administrative and constitutional law
- delivers internal legal education sessions in the above areas
- supervises and works with external counsel on the handling of litigation
- advises and collaborates on the development of policies and procedures
Darin McKinley
Senior Legal Counsel
780-492-4877
darin.mckinley@ualberta.ca
Darin McKinley graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 2007. Prior to joining the University of Alberta in April of 2013, he articled and practised with the law firm Emery Jamieson LLP.
- negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts
- provides legal advice on administrative law matters
- engages in legal projects, including reviewing legislation and identifying areas of risk to the university
- provides legal advice to faculties and other university business units
- oversees handling of legal matters by external counsel
- assists with registration of university trademarks and official marks
- provides legal education
Ben Esch
Senior Legal Counsel
780-492-4721
besch@ualberta.ca
Ben Esch graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 2012. Prior to joining the University of Alberta in June of 2016, he articled and practised with a large Edmonton law firm.
- negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts
- provides legal advice on real estate and financial matters
- provides legal advice to faculties and other University business units
- oversees handling of legal matters by external counsel
- provides legal education
Anthony Purgas
Senior Legal Counsel - Labour & Employment
825-963-5809
purgas@ualberta.ca
Anthony Purgas graduated from the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law in 2009 and was called to the bar in British Columbia and Alberta. He has practised in labour and employment law in both British Columbia and Alberta since 2010. Prior to joining the University of Alberta in April 2024, he practised with a large Edmonton law firm.
- negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts
- provides legal advice on the areas of human rights, health and safety law, collective agreement review, and other labour and employment matters
- provides legal advice to faculties and other University business units
- oversees handling of legal matters by external counsel
- provides legal education