The Office of the General Counsel provides legal services to the University.  The Office provides representation, advice, research, training and opinions to the Board of Regents, administration, faculty and staff, and others acting on the University's behalf.  The General Counsel reports jointly to the Board of Regents and the President.

Mission
Within the University's shared governance system, the mission of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is to provide legal advice to The Regents, Faculty and University Administrators, anticipate and resolve potential legal problems, defend the University's legal rights, and ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements and University policies. OGC strives for the highest standards of legal representation. Its attorneys, paralegals and staff work as a team to vigorously represent the interests of the University with integrity.

The Work of the General Counsel's Office
The legal challenges facing the University are as vast, varied and complex as its activities. The University is one of the nation's largest and most complex organizations. It educates over 214,000 students in programs around the globe and is the second largest public employer in California employing over 173,000 faculty and staff. It manages an investment portfolio in excess of $66 billion and has an annual budget of over $16 billion covering ten campuses and five medical centers, each of which operates an enormous physical plant. Additionally, the University manages a national laboratory and co-manages two others in a consortium with private corporations.