Kimberly M. Colonna
Represents educational institutions in compliance, Title IX, student rights, and litigation. Advises and trains on policies, contracts, and risk management.
See full profileTitle IX
When institutions receive Title IX reports or complaints, they need a clear process, sound judgment, and counsel that can step in quickly.
Our focus
Our Title IX practice helps colleges, universities, K-12 schools, and other educational institutions respond to sensitive matters with timely legal guidance. We advise on institutional response, grievance procedures, investigations, training, and recordkeeping, with attention to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the operational realities of campus and school environments.
When a report is made, our attorneys work with Title IX Coordinators, administrators, and investigators to assess next steps, preserve records, structure the grievance process, and manage communications and documentation. We also support proactive compliance through policy reviews, role-specific training, and tools that help institutions prepare before issues escalate.
The team brings experience across K-12 and higher education, including matters involving minors, student discipline, campus proceedings, employee respondents, governance issues, recordkeeping, and institutional liability. That background helps us provide focused, responsive counsel that reflects each institution’s structure, risks, and operational demands.
Our approach is built around preparation and responsiveness. Title IX reports do not follow a convenient schedule, so our attorneys are available to step in quickly, work alongside investigators, serve as neutral adjudicators where appropriate, and coordinate with colleagues in education, employment, and litigation when a matter calls for broader support.
For public and private K-12 schools, we help administrators respond when reports involve students, employees, parents, and overlapping conduct concerns. Our work includes reporting pathways, grievance procedures, written-question processes, emergency removals, supportive measures, disciplinary code alignment, staff training, and templates for key Title IX documents.
For colleges and universities, we help manage Title IX matters that may involve live hearings, involvement of legal counsel for the parties, complex arrangements for supportive measures, parallel criminal processes, faculty or employment issues, and Office for Civil Rights complaints. Our work includes guidance regarding investigation scope and procedures, preparation and review of required forms, notices, and reports, and counsel regarding supportive measures, informal resolution, and hearing procedures. We also assist with drafting Title IX and related anti-harassment policies and providing campus-wide or targeted training programs on Title IX and related nondiscrimination obligations. We regularly defend institutions that face Title IX claims in court or through government agency processes.
Key Contacts
Bonnie A. Young
Represents private employers and K-12 school entities in employment matters. Advises on workplace disputes, Title IX compliance, and employment-related risk management.
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Alexis J. Spurlock
Counsels K-12 schools and educational institutions in labor and employment law matters. Advises on Title XI issues and employment discrimination issues.
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How can we help?
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