Frequently Asked Questions

Absent a conflict of interest, the Office of the General Counsel will advise and represent administrators, faculty and staff when they act within the scope of their employment, on issues impacting the University. In practice, the University’s General Counsel does not represent employees or students on personal matters or on matters that represent a conflict with the University’s interests.

Where additional or specialized legal expertise may be required, our office will evaluate and retain the use of outside counsel. All retention of outside legal counsel must be handled through the Office of the General Counsel.

Determining when the attorney-client privilege applies, and when it does not, to communications made for the purpose of seeking legal advice from the University’s General Counsel can be complicated. To protect the best interests of the University, University personnel should consult the University’s Office of the General Counsel on how to handle a particular situation. General information about attorney-client privilege, and its situation-specific application, can be found here:

Attorney-Client Privilege Information

All contracts, agreements, amendments and binding documents must be reviewed and approved by the General Counsel’s Office, and contracts covering certain subject matter must also be approved by other offices.The Signature Authority Policy describes the approvals required. Currently, the University uses the iContracts database for the review, approval and routing to authorized individuals for signatures.

University personnel must have express authorization in the Signature Authority Policy or delegated authority from an authorized signatory to approve any contracts and purchase orders, sign contracts and purchase orders, and approve and pay invoices. Delegated signature authority must be recorded in writing and signed by the authorized signatory, and a copy of the signed delegation must be submitted to the General Counsel’s Office.

Responses are time sensitive, please immediately email the OGC at ogc@sju.edu or call the office at 610-660-3140.

The Office of General Counsel does not currently provide Notary Services.