Legal Services
Practice Areas
The Office of University Counsel (OUC) provides legal advice concerning all aspects of the university’s operations. Our main practice areas are listed below. To help you identify which attorney to contact for advice, they are listed under each area of focus.
However, please note that the General Counsel assigns work in the Office of University Counsel based on a variety of factors. If you have a question that is not included in the list of topics below, or are uncertain which attorney to contact, please do not hesitate to call our main number at 617-627-2147 or email legal@tufts.edu and we will direct you to an attorney who can assist you.
Lili Palacios-Baldwin and Dana Fleming
Legal Representation
It depends.
If you have been sued in connection with your official duties as a university employee and you have acted lawfully and in good faith, you will likely be indemnified and defended by the university. If you have questions about whether a lawsuit relates to your official duties or if you are concerned about any potential conflicts of interest, please discuss them with the Office of University Counsel at the outset of the case or as soon as they arise.
The Office of University Counsel does not represent employees or students in personal matters that do not affect the university’s legal rights.
The Lawyer Referral Service is a non-profit public service of the Boston Bar Association designed to provide you with an impartial referral to an attorney in your city or town. For more information call the Boston Bar Association at (617) 742-0625 or visit their website at www.bostonbar.org.
The University also offers personal legal services through MetLaw, a benefit plan administered by the Hyatt Legal Plans’ Client Service Center. Learn more information about the MetLaw Legal Plan.
No. If you believe your work for the university requires services of outside legal counsel, please contact the Office of University Counsel to discuss your needs. Please note that only the Senior Vice President for University Relations and General Counsel can hire lawyers or law firms for the university (or any of its schools or programs). The General Counsel will select, approve, and supervise those attorneys to control costs and ensure that the university receives consistent, competent advice. The university will not pay for any unauthorized outside counsel fees.