Mission Statement

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) of American University is committed to service, knowledge of the law, and facilitating the educational mission of American University. It is our function to provide, manage, and coordinate all legal services for the university and to minimize legal risks and costs efficiently, reliably, and professionally.

Our Representation

The attorneys within OGC are licensed in the following states: District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Each attorney is responsible for providing legal support to specific divisions.

OGC represents American University and may not represent individual students, faculty, or staff except when these individuals are named as defendants in litigation as a result of actions or omissions within the course and scope of their employment or institutional representation. For personal legal advice, employees and students should consult a private attorney.

Subject Matter Assignments

Traevena Byrd, Vice President & General Counsel

Subject matter assignments

Subject Matter	Division
Real Property	Office of Finance and Treasurer
International Agreements	Office of the Provost
DC Regulatory Matters	Office of the President
Governance & Higher Education	Office of the President

Bethany J. Bridgham, Senior Associate General Counsel

Subject matter assignments

Subject Matter	Division
Environmental Law	Office of Facilities Management
Commercial & Transactional Law	Office of Finance and Treasurer
Employee Benefits (Tax Related)	Payroll Office
Taxation	Office of Finance and Treasurer
Trust & Estates	Office of Development

Hisham Khalid, Associate General Counsel

Subject matter assignments

Subject Matter	Division
Litigation	Office of General Counsel
Police & Safety	Public Safety
Campus Plan	Office of Facilities Management
Employment & Labor Law	Human Resources
Debt Collection & Bankruptcy	Human Resources & Office of Finance and Treasurer

Thi Nguyen-Southern, Associate General Counsel

Subject matter assignments

Subject Matter	Division
Discrimination Claims	Human Resources & Office of Campus Life
Faculty Relations	Office of the Provost
Immigration Law	Office of the Provost & Office of Campus Life
Telecommunications	WAMU
Tuition & Financial Aid	Office of Enrollment

Justin Perillo, Assistant General Counsel

Subject matter assignments

Subject Matter	Division
Athletics	Athletics
Commercial & Transactional Law	Office of Finance & Treasurer
Intellectual Property	Office of Sponsored Research
Scientific Research	Office of Sponsored Research
Student Cases	Office of Campus Life
Student Organizations	Office of Campus Life