Legal Services
Legal Representation
The chief responsibility of the General Counsel’s office is to represent the University of Central Florida. We represent the University in all forms of litigation or legal disputes, including, but not limited to: lawsuits, administrative hearings, bid protests, arbitration, and mediations. In addition, we provide representation for individual employees who have had legal actions brought against them for actions they performed within the course and scope of their employment. An employee who has received a subpoena or notification of a lawsuit brought against them should contact the Office of the General Counsel immediately. The General Counsel’s office will sometimes coordinate with the State Attorney General’s Office or private attorneys when a matter is too complex to be handled by this office alone.
Signature Authority
The President of the University of Central Florida has signature authority for contracting, but can delegate that authority to other university employees. Only university employees with a written signature authority delegation may sign contracts on behalf of the university. Failure to follow university policies regarding signature authority, including signing contracts without signature authority, may subject the employee to personal liability.
Public Records Requests
Florida’s public records law, Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes, defines public records as: “All documents, papers, letters, maps, books, tapes, photographs, films, sound recordings, data processing software of other material, regardless of physical form, or characteristics, or means of transmission, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance or in connection with the transaction of official business by any agency. State and federal laws exempt certain types of public records, or portions thereof, from disclosure under the public records law. Before documents are released pursuant to a public records request, any exempt documents or exempt information contained within the documents will be removed. This determination will be made by the Office of the General Counsel. Requests should be handled by the department that maintains the documents requested. Requests do not need to be in writing, however a department may request that it be to ensure they fully understand what the requestor wants. The Office of the General Counsel will assist with any request as needed. Please contact us at (407)823-2482. Media requests should be directed to UCF Communications Office. Requests for statistical data or demographic data should be forwarded to Institutional Knowledge Management. Requests for documents maintained by UCF Athletics should be directed to the UCFAA Communications department.
- Florida Public Records Law: Understanding the Requirements & UCF Procedures
- Public Records Act, 2-100.5
- Florida Public Records Law – The “Minimum” Guide Q&A
- Florida Public Records Law Summary
The University of Central Florida is committed to compliance with the Florida Public Records Law. Please contact the custodian at gcounsel@ucf.edu or at 4365 Andromeda Loop N, Suite 360, Orlando, FL 32816. Florida Public Records Requests
Subpoenas
Subpoenas that are university related are to be served or sent certified mail to Custodian of Records, University of Central Florida, General Counsel’s Office, MH 360, 4365 Andromeda Loop N, Orlando, FL 32816. Out of state subpoenas are not enforceable in Florida and would need to be served in our jurisdiction in order to satisfy the federal law requirement. Subpoenas involving HR matters are to be served, faxed, or mailed to our HR Department.
The General Counsel’s Office does not accept subpoenas that are of personal nature. Subpoenas for records of an individual will need to be served to and signed by the actual individual in which the subpoena addresses.
Processes for Employees and Units Receiving Subpoenas and Other Legal Documents:
Subpoenas – Office of the General Counsel
Clerk of the University
Located in the General Counsel’s Office in Millican Hall 360, the Clerk of the University handles all petitions and/or requests to the University of Central Florida. The current Clerk of the University is Rebecca Pluguez. The documents that must be filed in this office include the following:
- Petitions to adopt, amend, or appeal a regulation;
- Requests for copies of a proposed regulation;
- Requests for notice of regulation-making meetings and public hearings on proposed regulations;
Legal Advice
The information contained on this website is provided as a service to the UCF community and does not constitute legal advice. While every effort has been made to provide quality information, the authors make no claims, promises, or warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website and its associated sites. Legal advice must be tailored to the specific facts and circumstances of each case, laws are constantly changing, and nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of your own legal counsel. Information on this site may not be relevant or accurate for all jurisdictions. The Office of the General Counsel provides legal advice to members of the UCF community solely within the context of the course and scope of employment or agency with UCF. Any employees should contact us with any questions or provide particular facts and circumstances upon which the Office of the General Counsel attorneys may base their legal advice. This office cannot provide legal advice to individuals, personally.
