The functioning of legal work organizations within universities is shaped by the interplay of national institutional frameworks, internal university management systems, and the organizations’ own behaviors. With the ongoing reforms in higher education and the emphasis on governing universities in accordance with the law, legal work organizations have emerged as specialized institutions dedicated to the institutionalization of colleges and universities. These organizations have been established and strengthened, their responsibilities have become increasingly clear, and they have grown into a significant force in advancing the rule of law within university governance systems. However, compared to traditional university departments, their operational structures are still underdeveloped.As relatively new entities, legal work organizations in universities face several contradictions: between external pressures and internal needs, between emerging trends and traditional frameworks, and between strategic planning and localized activities. These contradictions give rise to practical challenges such as weak intrinsic motivation, organizational fragmentation, and a lack of preventative and participatory measures. To enhance governance efficiency and improve the operational effectiveness of legal work organizations, universities should prioritize top-level design, balance external and internal forces, clarify roles and responsibilities within the governance system, and increase the effectiveness of legal entities, thereby advancing the high-quality development of legal frameworks in higher education.