The University Secretariat is headed by the General Counsel and University Secretary, who is also the Secretary to the Board of Governors.

The University Secretary and Secretary to the Board serves as the University’s most senior advisor on governance-related issues and on associated legislative and administrative matters. The Secretary is the chief of staff to the Board, advising on the fiduciary responsibilities and duties of the Board and its members and on the best practices that will enable the Board to function effectively and efficiently. As a senior officer of the University, the position is broadly concerned with the interface of governance and senior administrative activity, and acts as a facilitator and advisor on a wide range of matters.

As General Counsel, this position acts as the University’s chief legal counsel responsible for providing legal services to the University. A university is a complex organization that is governed by a vast array of laws and regulations. The areas of law that impact a university include contracts, employment and labour relations, human rights, access to information and protection of privacy, real property, intellectual property, corporate finance, taxation, estates and trusts and more. In this environment, General Counsel helps the University to avoid legal liability by providing up front and on-site legal and strategic advice to the University administration at all levels and working with the administration on development of policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance.

The General Counsel and University Secretary has reporting line responsibility for the Office of Human Rights. This office provides Human Rights Advisory services under Trent’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment and the Human Rights Code of Ontario. It also is responsible for Employment Equity compliance under federal legislation and education, reporting and compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the accessibility standards required under the Act's Regulations.

The General Counsel and University Secretary is accountable to the Board, reports administratively to the President and is a member of the President/Vice-President Executive Committee (PVP).