Office of General Counsel

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Welcome to the Washington and Lee ("W&L” or “University") Office of General Counsel ("OGC"). The OGC is committed to providing high-quality legal services and facilitating the mission of W&L, while practicing and promoting W&L’s core values of honor, integrity and civility.

The OGC oversees all University legal matters, and provides legal advice and counsel to the W&L Board of Trustees, the President, and other University administrators when acting in the course and scope of their employment or as University agents conducting business on behalf of W&L. To assist in the advancement of W&L’s mission, strategic priorities, and goals, the OGC provides and coordinates all legal services for the University, manages all University legal affairs, evaluates and monitors institutional risk, and handles all legal matters generated by University operations, including the colleges, centers, departments, and other operating units. 

Since January 2025, the OGC has also handled all Federal government affairs, lobbying, and advocacy efforts on behalf of W&L.

The OGC represents the University but does not represent or provide legal services to individual students, faculty, or staff 1. For personal legal advice students, faculty, and staff should consult a private attorney.

This site is intended to inform the W&L community about various University policies, guidelines, and procedures, to provide information on topical legal issues that may affect University operations, to answer frequently asked questions, and provide links to W&L resources and other legal sites that may be useful to the W&L community. This site does not contain or constitute legal advice. For legal advice for the University, please contact the OGC.

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1An exception may be made when an individual is named as defendant in litigation due to alleged actions or omissions within the course and scope of their employment or institutional representation.