The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) serves as a key resource to Oregon State University, as we provide legal advice on all manner of issues facing this large, complex, mission-driven university.
We target our legal advising to support OSU’s goals in service to its core mission. We add value by crafting creative and pragmatic solutions, fostering critical analysis, and facilitating resolution across a spectrum of needs and viewpoints. We bring a high level of knowledge, judgment and common sense to every issue on which we advise, and our advice is contextualized and specific to OSU’s needs. We excel at helping OSU navigate uncharted, novel or unclear issues that develop or change quickly in high profile ways. To be effective advocates and advisors for OSU, we take a genuine interest in and ensure understanding of OSU’s history, culture, current activities, community engagement, challenges and goals.
We are guided by a strong commitment to impeccable ethics and integrity as well as demonstrating respect, collaboration and inclusivity. Building and maintaining relationships across OSU is paramount to our ability to provide excellent service and foster stability across the institution. OGC is just one part of a large and multi-faceted team at OSU, and our attorneys respect the expertise, judgment and business decisions of OSU leaders. It is imperative that we are partners, advisors, and problem-solvers.
Although OGC is a fast-paced and often high-pressure environment that calls for a level of professional autonomy in each employee, our attorneys, paralegals and assistants work together to strive to provide the university with seamless service and to support and guide each other collaboratively. The principle of teamwork that is integral to relationships with constituents outside the office is evidenced in our working relationships within OGC.