Legal Office

The Legal Office is one of the important offices reporting to the President of the American University of Kurdistan (AUK). The mission of the Office is to provide high quality service and leadership in proactively managing and coordinating AUK’s legal affairs, and to support and enhance the University's educational, research, and public service mission. The Legal Counsel runs the Legal Office and oversees the activities of the University’s Public Relations Manager.

The Legal Counsel oversees and manages the provision of all legal services on the whole spectrum of legal matters to AUK to ensure maximum protection of its legal rights and to maintain its operations within the limits prescribed by the applicable laws and regulations. The Office of the Legal Counsel provides strategic guidance, consultation, and support to senior administrators and other members of management on a comprehensive range of legal and associated issues. The Legal Counsel advises proactively on developments in relevant statutes, regulations, policies, legal exposures as well as risks and legal challenges and to assist on any legal issues.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provides legal advice and guidance to AUK administrators and other members of management on all legal matters including applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and laws pertaining to faculty, staff, and students, real estate transactions, contracts and grants, tax matters, employee’s compensation, partnership, and other laws and regulations.
2. Anticipates and identifies legal issues in order to develop strategies and solutions, often in situations of great political, public relations, or financial risk.
3. Reviews, researches, interprets, and prepares both written and oral opinions on a wide variety of legal issues.
4. Drafts, reviews, and approves policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws, and other legal documents.
5. Reviews contracts and other legal documents; researches legal issues and recommends revisions as necessary.
6. Represents or oversees the representation of AUK’s administrators and other members of management in judicial and administrative proceedings, and in negotiations with other state and non-state agencies.
7. Designs, establishes, and maintains an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the organization's goals and objectives; oversees recruitment, training, supervision, and evaluation of unit staff.
8. Provides training to the campus community on various legal issues.
9. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest developments in applicable laws and regulation in the Region.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.
11. Prepares and oversees the budget of the Legal Office.

The Public Relations Manager has a dynamic role in the University, which is establishing and maintaining the University’s relations with a wide range of stakeholders around the Region. The Public Relations Manager reports to the Legal Counsel.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Establishes and maintains working relationships with public and private institutions as well as organizations of the civil society.
2. Represents the University in the nature of public relations to different stakeholders in the Kurdistan Region and wherever is necessary.
3. Coordinates with government protocol teams during events organized and hosted by AUK.
4. Assists AUK’s faculty and staff in their onboarding, housing, and transportation.
5. Facilitates and assists international faculty and employees with visa applications and residency permits as well as opening bank accounts.
6. Coordinates with the government offices for martyrs’ and political prisoners’ affairs for matters concerning student scholarships.
7. Communicates and coordinates with public and private sector offices as well as NGOs for student internship placement.