Rice University, Office of General Counsel

Rice University aspires to groundbreaking research and unsurpassed education for the betterment of our world. We fulfill this mission by cultivating curiosity to advance discovery, fostering connections to enhance collaboration, and empowering diverse leaders in an inclusive learning community that promotes excellence and student success through a culture of care.

Welcome to the Office of General Counsel

Nobel Prizes. MacArthur “Genius Grants.” Poets Laureate. Pulitzer Prizes. Groundbreaking cancer research. National academies. A world-class opera hall. National-caliber opportunities for student-athletes. An unmatched culture of care.

In the Office of General Counsel, we serve a preeminent research and teaching university whose excellence is established and whose ambitions are courageous, transformational, and global. The Vice President and General Counsel is the chief legal officer for the university and its Board of Trustees, and the office provides comprehensive legal advice and representation to the university and its authorized officials. The office also authorizes and contracts all outside counsel that are needed to serve the university.

Every OGC attorney is pleased to assist authorized Rice faculty and staff. The Areas of Practice Concentration page lists the most common subjects on which we advise; it also identifies the best initial contacts for campus clients on each subject.

While we do not provide legal representation or advice on personal matters, we are always happy to help members of the Rice community identify outside, private attorneys who may be able to assist them.