Frequently Asked Questions

1. I have a legal issue arising from University business or operations and I am going to retain my friend, who is a lawyer.  Sound good?

No.  Hiring outside counsel for the purpose of providing legal services related to University business are managed exclusively by the Office of the General Counsel in accordance with Regental Bylaw 21.2.  Outside counsel can only be engaged through attorneys in the Counsel’s office or in Oakland. In addition, we would advise you to use caution and consult with the Counsel’s office about what you intend to disclose to third parties about University matters that have a legal dimension.  Communications about any legal matter are especially sensitive because they may be subject to the attorney-client privilege, and even inadvertent disclosures of confidential legal matters may result in a waiver of the privilege.

2. Anything I send to your office is confidential and privileged, right?

Not necessarily.  Generally, confidential communications between University officers and employees and the Counsel’s office for the purpose of securing legal advice for the University are covered by the attorney-client privilege.  This means that they are generally held confidential and are not subject to the disclosure through Public Records Act requests or in litigation.  But whether a particular communication is covered by the privilege depends on the specific circumstances, so please make sure to discuss this matter with us in detail, and we can advise you – confidentially, of course – about the scope of the privilege and how to protect it appropriately.

3. Are you my lawyer?  Who do you represent?

Attorneys in the Campus Counsel’s office represent the Regents of the University of California as an institution.  We also advise and represent University employees acting within the course and scope of their employment in matters concerning the University.  We do not, however, advise or represent students or employees in their individual capacity or on personal matters not involving University business.

4. I just received a call from a lawyer and it sounded like she’s threatening to take action against the University.  What should I do?

Please do not engage in communications with them and contact our office.  We will work with you to either refer the attorney directly to us for assistance or to otherwise respond appropriately.

5. I am a student.  Can you give me some legal advice?

Unfortunately, we cannot advise students about personal legal matters.

6. I am a process server.  Will you accept service?

Please see our page on service of process for instructions on properly serving the Regents.

7. A law enforcement agent/a process server/investigator just came into my office and asked for records.  Should I provide them?