General Counsel: Frequently Asked Questions

Berklee personnel sometimes receive official legal documents, such as subpoenas requiring Berklee to provide documents in court proceedings, summonses informing the college of a lawsuit, and notifications of class actions or bankruptcies. Such notifications may be addressed to Berklee College of Music or to particular college officials, departments, or programs, and may arrive via hand delivery, regular mail, email, or facsimile. Because legal notices often require a response within a short period of time and have the potential to impact the legal rights of the college, its employees, and students, it is important that college personnel know what to do if they receive a subpoena, summons, or other notice.

If you receive a summons or subpoena involving Berklee, please inform the general counsel immediately by emailing lbishop@berklee.edu. The college accepts subpoenas served in accordance with court rules that apply in Massachusetts. Transmittal of subpoenas by fax or email is not acceptable. You should keep a record of the date, time, and method (by hand or mail) by which you received the notice.

You should not respond to any summons or subpoena yourself or ask another employee or department to do so without first contacting the general counsel.

Please forward any other legal notifications to the general counsel for review and response when necessary.

If an outside, non-Berklee attorney contacts you about your work at Berklee, let the attorney know that they will need to speak with the general counsel, and ask them to contact the general counsel at 617-747-6862. You should not communicate with or respond to attorneys who have made or plan to make claims against the college. If you receive a call, correspondence, or any other form of communication from an outside attorney relating to your work at Berklee, contact the general counsel immediately at lbishop@berklee.edu.

Generally speaking, your conversations with the general counsel on matters involving institutional business will be privileged as to outside third parties, but will not be confidential as to other Berklee officials.

No. The general counsel does not represent employees or students for personal matters that do not affect Berklee's legal rights.

If you believe your work for Berklee may require the services of outside legal counsel, contact the general counsel to discuss the situation. The general counsel will help you determine whether the matter may be handled more effectively by the general counsel or by outside counsel.

Please be aware that outside legal advice is expensive. The general counsel will help you select, approve, and supervise any outside counsel. This is to ensure consistent, competent advice to Berklee and to control costs.