Higher Education
Our attorneys serve higher education clients in a variety of legal, policy, and compliance arenas involving:
All aspects of Title IX law, including litigation, audits, training, and internal and Office for Civil Rights investigations
All aspects of general educational law, including rights and responsibilities under the Texas Education Code, Title 19 of the Texas Administrative Code, Texas Local Government Code, Texas Government Code, and federal law
Compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Public Information Act, records retention laws, conflict of interest laws, and related defense and litigation
Academic freedom, curriculum issues, faculty publishing, and freedom of speech, including providing advice, training, dispute resolution, and policy development.
Campus police and public safety, including drafting police regulation manuals and general orders; advising on trespass orders, expunction orders, grand jury subpoenas, and internal investigations; compliance with Texas Commission on Law Enforcement regulations; representing police departments in F-5 hearings; and advising on search and seizure laws
Compliance with the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act, including policy development, compliance with subpoenas, and employee training
Students’ claims regarding harassment and discrimination, including providing training, investigations, and defense of Office for Civil Rights claims
Compliance with the Clery Act, the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act, and Title IX, including policy development, training, prevention of sexual assault, and defense of claims
Student misconduct and discipline, including advising administrators on the investigation and discipline of students and conducting expulsion hearings; drafting policies compliant with state law and federal due process; and staff training
Compliance with disability laws, including student accommodation issues in academic and non-academic programs
Title IX, including compliance with student financial aid regulations, athlete eligibility, program integrity, and equity rules
Board governance and risk management
Copyright and trademark law, including faculty publishing, student works, use of social media, and use of third-party materials
Student issues, including student fees, releases and forms for student activities, student handbooks, legal issues affecting international students, and student/faculty relations
Academic matters, including admissions and registration, online education programs, and dual-credit programs
Preparation of reverse articulation agreements between institutions of higher education, clinical affiliation agreements with local hospitals, and contracts between community colleges and other entities such as school districts, and use/license agreements
Data breach response and general technology issues
Drug testing of students and employees and compliance programs related to security and drug and alcohol use
Service area issues, branch campuses, and out-of-district issues