Even if you think that your legal issue is outside of our bounds, the SLS office will nonetheless have the resources and contacts to ensure that you are pointed in the direction that will be best equipped to handle your situation.
Please be aware that attorney cannot guarantee the confidentiality of emails sent or received from the university server.
When available, limited-scope representation can include drafting of pleadings (such as in the context of an agreed divorce, name change, or expungement), providing form-based templates (such as for a Power of Attorney, Affidavit of Paternity, etc.) as well as sample forms for students to draft themselves, subject to attorney guidance and review (such as simple contracts, wills, etc.).
All services provided by SLS are subject to availability and student eligibility requirements.
Students who receive services from the SLS attorney are entitled to the same benefits that all lawyers provide their clients, specifically confidentiality and privilege. The attorney will not discuss your case with anyone without your permission - including your family members, your friends, the media, the police, and university officials - except in the very rare and narrow circumstances where such a disclosure is authorized by Oklahoma Law.
Due to the limited nature of the program, the SLS attorney cannot represent students in court or provide any in-depth or on-going representation outside of the bounds of limited-scope legal services.
SLS provides referral information only in matters of tax law, business entity formation, Intellectual Property rights, and any other area of specialized legal expertise. SLS cannot advise as to any potential tax consequences or liabilities based on any specific course of action and advises all to consult their CPA or tax attorney.
As an attorney for students, funded by the University, SLS cannot use the benefit of services provided to one student at the expense of another. SLS has a conflict of interest anytime a student’s issue involves or is against the interest of another student, a university employee, the University itself or its policies.
Due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest, SLS cannot advise students regarding violations of the Student Code of Conduct, academic misconduct cases, or issues related to Title IX.
When a student contacts the SLS office directly, they will receive a responsive email with scheduling instructions. After submitting their Intake and Consent form, students are able to select the format of their consultation when scheduling. Appointments are available via videoconference, telephone, email, and in-person.
As a reminder, SLS is a single-employee office and therefore does not have the ability to serve students on a walk-in basis.
You must email sls@ou.edu your completed Intake and Consent form before initiating services. This form is mandatory as it establishes our (limited) attorney-client relationship, which entitles the student-client to confidentiality and privilege. Until the signed and completed form is on-file with the SLS office, no services may be provided, including the initial consultation.
Reliable legal advice is researched and nuanced, and cannot be distributed “on the fly." Attorneys must apply the law to an individual’s particular situation, and that requires knowledge of the facts and circumstances surrounding your legal issue. Please gather all documentation and plan to submit copies along with your Intake and Consent form. Once your Intake and Consent form is collected, you will receive an email with detailed scheduling instructions, and you are welcome to book your appointment at that time. Currently, appointments are being offered by videoconference (Zoom), by telephone, by email, and in-person. When scheduling, students will have the ability to choose the format of their consultation. As a reminder, SLS does not maintain drop-in appointment hours.
Please recognize that in order for the attorney to give you the best possible advice applicable to your unique position, the attorney must be fully informed of the situation. Legal answers do not exist in a vacuum - attorneys must be fully aware of the facts and circumstances surrounding your issue in order to properly apply the law to your case and render an opinion. In the event that these foundation materials are not provided to the attorney in time for review in advance of your consultation, your appointment may need to be rescheduled, at the attorney’s discretion.
The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; SLS does not recommend or endorse the contents of third-party sites. SLS reserves the right to modify the program, with or without notice.
The SLS program is a department within the Division of Student Affairs.
