About Us

The Office of the General Counsel, established in 1982 by Boston University’s seventh President, John Silber, is staffed by eleven attorneys and two paralegals who work under the direction of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel, who in turn reports to the President.

Each of the attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel is both a generalist — capable of handling the wide variety of legal matters that arise in a large and complex private research institution —  as well as  a specialist in one or more areas of the law. In addition to expertise in particular legal areas, OGC attorneys have developed close working relationships with and individual responsibility for particular schools, offices or units of the University. Among other responsibilities, OGC attorneys represent the University before federal and state courts and administrative agencies, draft and negotiate contracts involving the University, review proposed University policies and procedures, advise University personnel on compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and supervise the activities of outside counsel when such specialized services are deemed necessary.  For a more in depth description of the subject matters handled by the office, please refer to the “Practice Areas” page.

Please note that OGC cannot provide legal advice concerning personal matters. Resources for personal legal advice and resources for students are available.