Contact Us
Office of the General Counsel
University of Alberta
3-03 South Academic Building (SAB)
11328 - 89 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB T6G 2G7
Canada
Telephone: 780-492-8995
Fax: 780-492-8990
Roles and Responsibilities
Brad Hamdon, KC
General Counsel & University Secretary
780-492-8997
brad.hamdon@ualberta.ca
Brad Hamdon graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 1990. After practising at a large law firm in Edmonton for five years, Brad held positions in the legal department of Enbridge Pipelines and EPCOR Utilities prior to joining the University of Alberta as its first general counsel in 2004.
- manages the provision of all legal services for the University of Alberta
- provides legal advice to the board, the senior executive team, deans, chairs, directors and others
- negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts
- manages the relationship with external legal counsel
- drafts and reviews policies and procedures
- provides legal education
- administrative resource for the provost and VP academic and his team, and assists in all areas included in the mandate of the office
- maintains an effective administrative support system for the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)
- liaises with internal and external stakeholders
- serves as member of provost's management team
Kimberly Marchuk
Legal Assistant to the Office of General Counsel
780-492-8995
kimberly.marchuk@ualberta.ca
- revises various legal documents and contracts
- conducts legal research
- arranges and co-ordinates meetings and events
- manages calendar and schedules meetings and appointments for both General Counsel and Legal Counsel
- establishes and maintains confidential files and record-keeping systems
- budget
- administrates the Legal Service Order Database
- Legal Services Committee resource
- meeting minutes
- general office management
Jaxine Oltean
Associate General Counsel
780-492-1237
jaxine.oltean@ualberta.ca
Jaxine Oltean graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 2000. Prior to joining the University of Alberta in December of 2014, she was counsel for the Attorney General of Canada in the Department of Justice Canada for 12 years, with a focus on civil litigation and administrative law.
- provides legal advice in the areas of human rights, privacy, administrative and constitutional law
- delivers internal legal education sessions in the above areas
- supervises and works with external counsel on the handling of litigation
- advises and collaborates on the development of policies and procedures
Darin McKinley
Senior Legal Counsel
780-492-4877
darin.mckinley@ualberta.ca
Darin McKinley graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 2007. Prior to joining the University of Alberta in April of 2013, he articled and practised with the law firm Emery Jamieson LLP.
- negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts
- provides legal advice on administrative law matters
- engages in legal projects, including reviewing legislation and identifying areas of risk to the university
- provides legal advice to faculties and other university business units
- oversees handling of legal matters by external counsel
- assists with registration of university trademarks and official marks
- provides legal education
Ben Esch
Senior Legal Counsel
780-492-4721
besch@ualberta.ca
Ben Esch graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Law in 2012. Prior to joining the University of Alberta in June of 2016, he articled and practised with a large Edmonton law firm.
- negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts
- provides legal advice on real estate and financial matters
- provides legal advice to faculties and other University business units
- oversees handling of legal matters by external counsel
- provides legal education