Legal Affairs
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The Office of the NSHE General Counsel provides legal services to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), its Board of Regents, and institutions of the System. The office consists of the Chief General Counsel, two Deputy General Counsels for System Administration, and two legal assistants. The Legal Affairs office also oversees NSHE Human Resources, Risk Management, and Retirement Plan Administration.
In addition to the System level legal office, each System institution has its own Office of General Counsel providing legal services to the institution. The institutional General Counsel reports to both the President and the Chief General Counsel. This structure allows for collaboration and consistency in the legal advice provided across all System institutions. Attorneys at the System office or the campuses do not advise or represent Board members, administrators, faculty, staff or students about personal legal matters.
The core work of the office of the NSHE General Counsel includes:
- Advising and counseling Board members and System personnel regarding legal questions arising out of their activities on behalf of the System or its institutions;
- Interpreting provisions of the NSHE Code and Board policies;
- Coordinating and supervising legal services provided to the campuses;
- Providing training and programs on legal issues to System employees in order to reduce litigation risks and liability;
- Representing the System in litigation matters and administrative proceedings;
- Supervises the NSHE Human Resources Office and NSHE’s Retirement Plan Alternative Program;
- Managing the use of outside legal counsel;
- Reviewing and routing all contracts requiring Chancellor or Board approval;
- Serving as a resource for problem-solving and decision-making in furtherance of the mission of the System or its institutions;
- Providing legal advice and leadership in all real estate planning and transactions by the System or its institutions.
The attorneys in the NSHE General Counsel’s Office can be contacted Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contacts
Tina Russom
Deputy General Counsel
Tel: (775) 784-3421
Fax: (775) 784-1127
trussom@nshe.nevada.edu
Cindy Hunt
Senior Executive Legal Assistant
Tel: (702) 889-8426
Fax: (702) 552-7015
chunt@nshe.nevada.edu
Cathy Bandoni
Legal Assistant
Tel: (775) 784-4901 x3435
Fax: (775) 784-1127
cbandoni@nshe.nevada.edu
Sherry M. Olson
Director of Human Resources
Tel: (775) 784-3401
Fax: (775) 784-1127
solson@nshe.nevada.edu
Lisa Schaller
Director of Insurance and Loss Management
Tel: (775) 784-3472
lschaller@nshe.nevada.edu
Michelle Kelley
Director, Retirement Plan Administration
Tel: (702) 889-8426
Fax: (702) 889-8492
mkelley@nshe.nevada.edu
General Counsel by Institution
College of Southern Nevada
James J. Martines
Tel: (702) 889-8426
Fax: (702) 889-8495
jmartines@nshe.nevada.edu
Desert Research Institute
John Albrecht
Tel: (775) 673-7396
Fax: (775) 673-7315
John.Albrecht@dri.edu
Great Basin College
John Albrecht
Tel: (775) 673-7396
Fax: (775) 673-7315
John.Albrecht@dri.edu
Nevada State College
Berna L. Rhodes-Ford
System Counsel
Tel: (702) 992-2378
berna.rhodes-ford@nsc.edu
Truckee Meadows Community College
John Albrecht
Tel: (775) 673-7396
Fax: (775) 673-7315
John.Albrecht@dri.edu
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Elda Luna Sidhu
Tel: (702) 895-5185
Fax: (702) 895-5299
elda.sidhu@unlv.edu
University of Nevada, Reno
Mary Dugan
Tel: (775) 784-3491
Fax: (775) 327-2202
mdugan@unr.edu
University of Nevada School of Medicine
Matt Milone
Tel: (775) 784-6005
Fax: (775) 784-7741
mmilone@medicine.nevada.edu
Western Nevada College
John Albrecht
Tel: (775) 673-7396
Fax: (775) 673-7315
John.Albrecht@dri.edu
Recent NSHE News
- TMCC’s Estela Gutierrez Receives IDEA Recognition
- NSHE Board of Regents Re-Elects McAdoo as Chair and Elects Carvalho as Vice Chair
- Board of Regents Appoints Dale Erquiaga NSHE Acting Chancellor
- Research Investment Continues at UNLV and UNR
- Nevada Receives National Science Foundation Research Award for $20 Million