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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is the Office of the General Counsel? What areas of practice do the attorneys provide? What other legal services do the attorneys provide? Who do the attorneys represent? Where can students seek legal assistance for non-USF concerns? What should I do if I am contacted by an outside attorney or investigator? I received a legal document relating to USF business, what should I do? I received a summons relating to USF business, what should I do? What do I do when I receive a notice of claim? What do I do if I am served with a subpoena relating to USF business? What is a subpoena for trial? What is a subpoena for deposition? What if I cannot attend on the date or at the scheduled location? Will an attorney go with me to the deposition? What does duces tecum mean? What if the subpoena asks for 'super confidential' information (i.e. genetic, HIV, substance abuse, mental health records)? I just received a public records request. What should I do? I have a question about the legality of something I am doing or have been asked to do at USF; who should I contact? What is the difference between a University regulation/rule and a University policy? Does the General Counsel assist students in filing student complaints/grievances? Does the Genral Counsel assist students in student administration such as transcript requests, residency issues or grade changes? What is Intellectual Property? What products are protected under intellectual property laws? What are patents? What are Trademarks? What are Trade secrets? What is a Copyright? What types of works are protected by copyright? When are copyrights protected? How is a copyright different from a patent or a trademark? How can I submit feedback to the Office of General Counsel?