Legal Services

In concert with the University Advancement staff, the Office of General Counsel advises on gift agreements and other diligence and documentation as related to the receipt of University gifts, including gifts of real property and corporate interests.

The Office of the General Counsel should review all contracts that name Butler University. Examples of contractual or transactional matters that require review from the Office of General Counsel include:

• Clinical training and internship placements
• Construction and capital improvements
• Corporate governance
• Employment
• Equipment, service, and supply purchasing
• Food services
• Professional services
• Sale, lease, and purchase of real estate and property
• Software and technology licensing

If you have questions about who in your department is able to sign contracts on behalf of the University, please email Claire Aigotti.

The Office of General Counsel can assist in providing advice and assistance in general and complex corporate governance and securities matters such as:

• Conflicts of Interest
• Compliance with applicable state and federal law, as well as University policies
• Corporate restructuring and change of control
• Drafting, negotiating, and reviewing agreements, including operating agreements, stockholder agreements, stock purchase agreements, management agreements, and inventor wavier agreements
• Inter-institutional arrangements and collaborations with outside entities
• Investment transactions
• Litigation management
• Preparation and implementation of meetings of the Board of Trustees

The Office of the General Counsel aims to keep the Butler community informed of legal matters of importance to them in their role as faculty, staff, and students of the University. There are many legal issues that intersect with the day-to-day activities of faculty, administration, and staff members. The Office of General Counsel works closely with the Human Resources department.

The Office of General Counsel can advise on a variety of issues related to:

• Accommodation requests and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Background checks
• COBRA
• Compliance with state and federal employment laws
• Development and implementation of employment policies
• Discrimination and retaliation claims
• Employee discipline and termination
• Employee grievances
• Employee leave and compliance with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Faculty retention, promotion, and tenure
• Garnishments
• Job titles, descriptions, and classification and compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Recruitment and offer letters
• Reductions in force
• Subpoenas
• Settlement agreements
• Workers compensation

A complete library of policies can be found on the Human Resources website.

The Office of the General Counsel supports matters related to the University’s intellectual property rights including:

• Business transactions and contracting matters, including confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, intellectual property agreements, material transfer agreements, collaboration agreements, and sponsored research agreements
• Copyright and trademark registrations, fair use, and infringement
• Development and implementation of intellectual property policies
• Employee invention assignment
• In-licensing issues
• Licensing and acquisition of third-party content

Butler University is proud to foster global learning, innovative scholarship, and cross-cultural engagement by supporting faculty member travel, facilitating study abroad experiences, and hosting international students. The Office of General Counsel works closely with the Center for Global Education, Human Resources, and various University units to assist with the legal and policy matters associated with this global reach. Some specific services include:

• International student exchanges
• International service-learning projects
• International agreements
• International satellite campuses
• Faculty-led study-abroad programs
• Immigration/Visa matters

The Office of General Counsel supervises litigation matters handled by outside counsel.

University-wide policies, procedures, rules, and guidance should be reviewed by the Office of General Counsel.

A complete library of policies can be found on the Human Resources website.

On a larger scale, the Office of General Counsel assists with purchasing matters for the University by providing the Purchasing Department with guidance on various issues such as:

• Conflicts of interest
• Purchase orders
• Purchase transactions
• Purchasing scams
• Prohibition of gifts
• Vendor issues

Butler’s Office of General Counsel provides advice and assistance regarding legal issues related to real estate owned and leased by and to the University. Some specific legal services include:

• Broker agreements
• Confidentiality agreements
• Construction and capital improvement agreements
• Commercial and residential lease agreements
• Compliance with state and federal regulations
• Easements and restrictive covenants
• Environmental health and safety
• Estoppel certificates
• Facilities use agreements
• Gift agreements
• Litigation and risk management
• Sales, purchases, and other transfers of real property
• Utility agreements

The Office of General Counsel works closely with the University’s Director of Risk Management and Insurance to minimize and avoid risk and to ensure compliance with University policies and procedures, as well as applicable laws and regulations. The Office of General Counsel also provides support for waiver, release, and indemnification agreements.

The General Counsel and Assistant General Counsel provide a variety of legal services that pertain to student affairs such as:

• Accommodations under the ADA
• Admissions
• Bankruptcy, debt collection, and tuition liens
• Community safety and crime reporting
• Development and implementation of student policies
• Discrimination
• Sexual harassment
• Student academic appeals
• Student academic and behavioral misconduct
• Student housing agreements
• Student organizations
• Student records, privacy, and FERPA