Legal Documents

What to do if you are served with a legal document like a Summons, Writ, or Complaint indicating that a lawsuit has been filed against the University.

What to do if you receive a legal document

If you are a Penn State employee who is served with a legal document – such as a Summons, Writ, or Complaint – indicating that a lawsuit has been filed against the University, please take the following steps immediately:

1. Contact the Office of General Counsel right away

Call (814) 867-4088 or email generalcounsel@psu.edu.

2. Email a scanned copy of the legal documents received

Send the documents to generalcounsel@psu.edu. Be sure to include:

  • A scanned copy of the legal documents
  • A scanned copy of the envelope in which the documents were received
  • Any certified mail return receipt (the green card), if it exists

3. Include the following details in your email:

  • The name of the person who received the documents
  • The date the documents were received
  • The method of delivery (i.e. hand delivery, FedEx, UPS and/or UPPS certified mail).

4. Send the original copy of the legal document to:

The Pennsylvania State University
Office of General Counsel
227 West Beaver Avenue, Suite 507
State College, PA 16801