Office of the General Counsel
Responsibilities
The Office of the General Counsel has the responsibility to manage the University of Alberta's legal affairs.
The office has various roles:
- To identify and recommend procedures and practices to protect the university from undue liability, and to assist with risk assessment and control
- To provide strategic legal advice as well as a full range of legal services directly to the university, its senior administration and the Board of Governors
- To provide legal advice and services directly to faculties and administrative units when requested by deans or administrative heads of units
- To retain, instruct and oversee external legal counsel on behalf of the university
- To manage the costs of legal services in an effective and cost-efficient manner to maximize the value of the university's expenditures and to minimize the university's exposure to risk
- To provide seminars and other educational initiatives on legal issues affecting the university
Mission, Vision and Values Statement
MISSION
The Office of General Counsel supports the University’s mission and vision by providing high quality, practical, client-focused legal advice in a strategic, collaborative, and proactive manner.
VISION
The Office of General Counsel seeks to be a valued and trusted partner, recognized for its knowledge and awareness of legal issues in the post-secondary sector, and for providing effective and practical solutions to the legal issues facing the University of Alberta.
VALUES
In providing legal services to the University of Alberta, the Office of General Counsel is guided by the following values:
Professional Excellence – to provide well-reasoned legal advice based on our unique knowledge of the legal issues facing the post-secondary sector;
Integrity – to act and promote honest and ethical behaviour, and to be supportive, inclusive, and respectful in all interactions with those both inside and outside the University community;
Responsive – to provide timely advice that permits effective and efficient decision-making by University administration; and
Solution-Oriented – to highlight risks and present options in a manner that allows for the practical and effective resolution of legal issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I attend at the university to effect personal service of legal documents on The Governors of the University of Alberta?
The Office of General Counsel is the primary office that accepts personal service of legal documents on behalf of The Governors of the University of Alberta, located at:
Office of the General Counsel
3-03 South Academic Building (SAB)
Edmonton, AB T6G 2J7
To make arrangements for personal service of legal documents, please email Jaxine Oltean, Associate General Counsel, at jaxine.oltean@ualberta.ca, with a copy to the office’s legal assistant, Kimberly Marchuk, at kimberly.marchuk@ualberta.ca.
As a secondary alternative, the office of University Governance may also accept personal service of legal documents on behalf of The Governors of the University of Alberta, located at:
University Governance
3-04 South Academic Building (SAB)
Edmonton, AB T6G 2J7
How do I have contracts or other legal documents signed on behalf of the university?
Please see the University of Alberta Policies and Procedures Online (UAPPOL) policy on Contract Review and Signing Authority.
I have a legal question about technology commercialization. Who do I contact?
The Office of the General Counsel does not administer legal matters arising from the commercialization of technology. Those are done through Technology Transfer Services. Please refer to the Technology Transfer Services website if you have legal questions related to such matters.