Higher Education

For decades, we have worked with institutions of every size, from liberal arts colleges and medical schools to large public university systems, helping them resolve disputes, strengthen compliance, manage workforce issues, and respond confidently when the stakes are high.

Legal Experience That Understands Campus Realities

Higher education presents challenges unlike those in most other industries. Decisions must account for complex governance structures, competing stakeholder interests, academic priorities, public scrutiny, and the expectations of students, faculty, staff, and leadership.

Our attorneys combine deep employment and education-related legal experience with an understanding of these institutional dynamics. We work alongside boards, presidents, human resources leaders, faculty administrators, Title IX coordinators, and student affairs professionals to develop solutions that are legally sound, operationally practical, and responsive to each institution's circumstances.

SERVICES

Campus Investigations and Compliance

Independent judgment and experienced support when sensitive matters put institutional trust at stake.

Our dedicated Campus Investigations and Compliance Group helps colleges, universities, graduate and residency programs, and other educational institutions address allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and other sensitive concerns.

We conduct impartial investigations, provide neutral hearing and appeals officers and informal-resolution facilitators, and step into interim leadership roles when institutions need experienced support without delay. Our attorneys also provide training, policy reviews, compliance consulting, and practical advice on Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, Section 504, and related obligations.

With experience navigating complex campus environments and training in trauma-informed investigative practices, we help institutions maintain fair, credible processes, address difficult concerns, and preserve operational continuity.

Explore our Campus Investigations and Compliance services.

Employment and Faculty Relations

Manage complex employment relationships while supporting your institution's academic and operational priorities.

We help institutions navigate faculty tenure and discipline, employment disputes, pay equity, workplace policies, employee benefits, immigration, and other personnel challenges. Our attorneys provide proactive guidance, develop practical solutions to sensitive workforce issues, and defend institutions in employment litigation and administrative proceedings.

Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining

Stay ahead of organizing activity and manage labor relationships that can shape your institution's future.

Our labor attorneys help public and private institutions navigate union organizing, representation elections, collective bargaining, contract administration, and grievances. We bring extensive experience with the distinctive labor relations challenges involving faculty, graduate student employees, and other campus workforces.

Student Affairs and Institutional Compliance

Address student-related challenges with processes that protect institutional interests and reinforce accountability.

We help institutions navigate student conduct matters, civil rights obligations, disability accommodations, campus safety requirements, and other compliance concerns. From reviewing policies and response protocols to defending institutions in regulatory proceedings, we help campus leaders make informed decisions and manage risk.

Athletics, NIL, and Pay Equity

Respond to a changing collegiate athletics landscape while protecting athletes, employees, and institutional interests.

We help institutions address evolving name, image, and likeness (NIL) issues, athletics-related employment and compensation questions, Title IX obligations, pay equity concerns, and allegations of misconduct. Our attorneys combine legal experience with practical strategies for managing high-profile and sensitive athletics matters.

Litigation, Crisis Response, and Emerging Risks

Protect institutional interests when disputes, regulatory scrutiny, or unexpected events threaten operations and reputation.

We represent colleges and universities in litigation, administrative proceedings, and government investigations involving employment, civil rights, and other institutional matters. We also help institutions respond to cybersecurity and data privacy incidents, campus controversies, and other crises requiring coordinated legal and communications strategies.

EXAMPLES OF HOW WE CAN HELP

You receive a sensitive complaint that requires an independent and impartial review.

Our Campus Investigations and Compliance Group conducts credible investigations involving discrimination, harassment, retaliation, misconduct, and other sensitive campus concerns, with careful attention to fair process and campus operations.

Your Title IX or compliance office has an unexpected leadership gap or requires immediate additional capacity.

Our attorneys can step in with experienced interim leadership and practical support, helping maintain continuity while the college or university addresses its longer-term needs.

You need an experienced neutral for a hearing, appeal, or informal resolution.

We provide neutral adjudication and resolution support tailored to the college or university’s policies, procedures, and campus community.

You receive a demand letter or complaint alleging violations of Title IX.

Our seasoned litigators defend colleges and universities against claims such as deliberate indifference and due process violations arising from internal Title IX proceedings.

Your female coaches allege that they are paid significantly less than their male counterparts.

We conduct pay equity audits to identify potential disparities and advise clients on appropriate, legally compliant remedial measures.

You receive an Office for Civil Rights complaint alleging violations of federal law and threatening the withdrawal of federal funding.

We represent colleges and universities in OCR compliance reviews and related litigation involving discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, and constitutional claims.

Your policies are outdated or need a fresh review.

We review student codes of conduct, student handbooks, employee handbooks, faculty handbooks, and academic policies to help ensure they comply with applicable law and reflect current practices.

You are concerned about your employees’ understanding of Title VII, Title IX, or related legal requirements.

We provide training on discrimination, harassment, retaliation, hiring, discipline and termination, Title IX investigations, FERPA, and other employment and student affairs topics.

A difficult employee or student matter requires high-level strategy and close attention.

We work with human resources leaders, Title IX coordinators, student affairs professionals, and other stakeholders to develop a coordinated strategy, manage risk, and closely oversee the matter.

Your Annual Security Report or other Clery Act obligations require attention.

We conduct Clery compliance audits, develop compliant policies, train campus law enforcement and campus security authorities, and represent colleges and universities in external compliance reviews.

Your graduate student employees are unionized, and it is time to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.

Our labor attorneys bring deep experience bargaining on behalf of public and private higher education employers.

You want to enhance your benefits offerings for faculty and staff.

Our employee benefits attorneys help design and revise benefit programs while addressing complex tax and ERISA requirements.

A head coach is accused of sexually abusing student-athletes over an extended period.

Our attorneys conduct independent Title IX investigations involving both current and historical allegations, including sensitive matters arising within athletics.