Jeffrey T. Sultanik
Represents school entities as solicitor. Advises on labor and employment, collective bargaining, governance, and education law compliance.
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Education leaders make decisions that affect students, employees, operations, and public trust. We advise K-12 schools, colleges, and universities with counsel grounded in how educational institutions work.
Our focus
Education counsel grounded in the realities of institutional leadership
Any decision made by an educational institution can have complex and multifaceted effects. A student matter may raise policy and compliance questions. A personnel issue can affect operations and community confidence. A board decision may carry financial and operational consequences. We help education leaders understand those connections and act with the institution’s mission and long-term interests in view.
We advise public school districts, charter schools, intermediate units, private and independent schools, colleges, universities, and other providers of educational services. Our Education Group brings together 45 attorneys and professionals serving more than 125 education-sector clients across Pennsylvania, Maryland, and beyond. The combined team offers distinct K-12 and higher education experience, with shared depth in areas such as civil rights, employment, and student rights and discipline.
Our attorneys counsel boards, administrators, and institutional leaders on governance, policies, regulatory compliance, and student and faculty matters. We also advise on labor and employment issues, special education, campus safety, and civil rights. When a complaint, investigation, or dispute arises, we represent institutions before administrative agencies and in state and federal courts. The practice also includes matters involving FERPA, the ADA, Section 504, the IDEA, the Clery Act, Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act.
The legal needs of educational institutions often extend beyond education-specific laws. Construction and real estate decisions may affect facilities. Public finance and procurement issues can shape investments, while privacy and data security concerns increasingly influence school operations. We bring the appropriate attorneys into the work so that all related issues are addressed through a single coordinated strategy.
We advise public school districts, charter schools, intermediate units, and private academic schools on governance, day-to-day operations, labor relations, student matters, and regulatory compliance. Our work includes collective bargaining, personnel decisions, policy development, special education, and representation as solicitor or special counsel.
We advise colleges and universities on governance, institutional policy, regulatory compliance, and student and faculty matters. Our work includes Title IX, Title VII, Title VI, Title IV, FERPA, campus safety, disability requirements, student conduct, academic issues, and investigations.
We advise independent schools, including private, non-profit institutions governed by self-perpetuating boards, on governance, board matters, institutional policy, regulatory compliance, and student and faculty issues. Our work includes employment matters, student discipline, admissions policies, accreditation, and day-to-day operational counsel.
We help educational institutions develop policies and grievance procedures, conduct or respond to investigations, and train administrators and other institutional personnel. When a complaint leads to an administrative proceeding or litigation, we defend the institution and the decisions made through its process.
We represent educational institutions in due process hearings, government investigations, administrative proceedings, and state and federal courts. Our work includes special education disputes, discrimination and harassment claims, student and employee matters, governance disputes, and other claims affecting institutional operations.
Key Contacts
Kimberly M. Colonna
Represents educational institutions in compliance, Title IX, student rights, and litigation. Advises and trains on policies, contracts, and risk management.
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Related news and insights
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McNees welcomes experienced litigator Phillip Michael in Lancaster
LANCASTER, Pa. (Aug. 10, 2026) — McNees Wallace & Nurick today announced that attorney Phillip Michael has joined the firm’s Litigation Group in its Lancaster office. Michael brings more than a decade of litigation experience in both the private and public sectors. He joins McNees from a Lancaster-based law firm and previously served as deputy […]
2026 School Solicitors Symposium
Education attorney Timothy Gilsbach presented “Now You Are the Hearing Officer – Do’s and Don’ts” at the 2026 School Solicitors Symposium on July 17, hosted by the Pennsylvania School Board Solicitors Association (PSBSA). His presentation focused on the conflicts and practical challenges of serving as a hearing officer, covering hearings involving student discipline, employment matters, […]
Greg Moyer’s Law expands CPR training and AED requirements for Pennsylvania schools
Pennsylvania schools will soon face expanded responsibilities for CPR training, access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and cardiac emergency preparedness following the passage of Greg Moyer’s Law. Named in honor of a Pennsylvania student athlete who died from sudden cardiac arrest at a high school basketball game, the legislation amends the School Code to strengthen […]
Education litigator Macy Laster joins McNees’ growing Plymouth Meeting office
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. (Aug. 17, 2026) — McNees Wallace & Nurick today announced the addition of education attorney Macy T. Laster to the firm’s new and growing Plymouth Meeting office. An experienced education litigator, Laster joins McNees’ Education and Litigation groups. She represents school and educational entities, with a particular focus on special education, student discipline […]