Higher Education

Higher education legal issues often cut across student affairs, academics, and human resources, requiring attention to complex compliance obligations. We help colleges and universities make decisions that meet their legal obligations and work in practice across the institution, without losing sight of the institution’s mission.

We advise colleges and universities on governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management, as well as matters involving students, faculty, employees, and community relationships.  Our attorneys work with governing boards, presidents, administrators, and other institutional leaders on both day-to-day questions and significant decisions. We develop advice around the institution’s policies, culture, and objectives rather than treating each legal question in isolation.

Our work includes Title IX, Title VII, Title VI, Title IV, FERPA, the Clery Act, the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the ADA, and Section 504. We advise on student conduct, student organizations, academic misconduct, campus safety, faculty employment, tenure, and academic freedom. We also develop policies, review contracts, provide training, and help institutions respond to government investigations and other compliance concerns.

When a matter becomes contested, we represent colleges and universities in administrative proceedings and state and federal courts. Other institutional initiatives may require experience in labor and employment, privacy, tax-exempt organizations, employee benefits, real estate, public finance, or business transactions. We bring the appropriate attorneys into the work so institutional leaders receive coordinated advice connected to the broader objective.