The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) provides comprehensive legal advice and assistance to the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, the other senior administrators of the University, and through them, to the University’s faculty and staff, only on legal matters involving or affecting the institution.
The OLA advises the University on the legal implications of proposed policies and actions and on compliance with state and federal laws and regulations and UNC policies. The OLA drafts and reviews University contracts and other legal documents and is also available to provide educational services, including training programs on legal and policy matters, for any University constituency.
The OLA is responsible for selecting, engaging, and supervising any outside counsel engaged by the institution and coordinates all litigation conducted by the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office on behalf of the University. No attorneys other than those in the Office of Legal Affairs, outside counsel engaged by OLA, or the NC Attorney General's Office are authorized to provide legal advice to the University.
The Vice Chancellor for Institutional Integrity and General Counsel is the official process agent on behalf of the University upon whom court papers (including legal summons and complaints) should be served.
All work done by the OLA is done in a professional, collegial, and timely manner with a view toward ensuring that the University fulfills its mission and achieves its goals.
See the Office of Legal Affairs FAQs for more information.
NOTE: The Office of Legal Affairs does not advise administrators, faculty, staff, or students on any personal legal matters. For information about Student Legal Services, see below.
Student Legal Services
UNC Charlotte Student Legal Services, Inc. (SLS) provides free legal advice, limited representation, and resources to enrolled students. SLS is also available for presentations to student organizations and classes to educate students on their rights and responsibilities under the law.
SLS is a separate legal entity from the University and from the Office of Legal Affairs.
SLS is funded by student activity fees through the Student Activity Fee Commission. Services are provided to students at no additional charge.
SLS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that is a separate legal entity from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. SLS operates on campus through an agreement with the University. SLS employees cannot advise or participate in legal actions between university students or against the University, the University of North Carolina System, or the State of North Carolina.