Legal Advice
Student Legal Services (SLS) provides eligible Colorado State University undergraduate and graduate students with legal advice, counseling, and guidance on many legal matters. SLS strongly encourages students to contact us about any matter proactively to ask questions, understand options, design a plan to move forward, and have support throughout the process. All services are completely confidential.
No Charge for Most Services
The office receives a small portion of student fees paid by full and part-time CSU students, allowing the office to provide most services at no additional charge.
Please contact SLS about services charged at a nominal fee.
How We Assist
SLS attorneys “help you to help yourself.” SLS attorneys will not represent you in court. Many legal issues can be handled by students, themselves, after they have been fully advised by and supported by the SLS attorneys. For students needing intensive attorney representation in court or otherwise, SLS attorneys will help the student understand the legal issues and prepare the student to best select and hire an outside attorney. The office does retain the discretion to provide court representation in rare instances, taking into account 1) the circumstances and needs of the particular student and 2) how broadly a successful outcome might positively impact the whole student body.
Usually, appointments are set for one hour, which gives the attorney enough time to explore and understand the questions and goals of the student, explain the options and legal analysis, draft letters on the spot with the client’s assistance, make phone calls, review the student’s goals as they relate to the options, and assist in creating an action plan with next steps for the student. Follow-up appointments may be needed.
Areas of Legal Expertise
Combined, our SLS attorneys have experience in many areas of law. This allows the office to help as many eligible students as possible. SLS does not advise students with tax or complex intellectual property questions. When the attorneys do not have the expertise to assist a student, SLS attorneys will assist the student in accessing reputable resources and may refer the student to other relevant resources.
Conflict of Interest Policy
Occasionally, SLS is restricted from helping a student due to a conflict of interest. When appropriate, SLS may refer the student to community attorneys who have agreed to provide a consultation for a reduced fee that is paid by SLS. Criminal defense attorneys in Fort Collins tend to offer initial consultations at no charge, so SLS does not make paid referrals in criminal cases. SLS does not provide legal services for housing cases to landlords, even if they are eligible students.
