Higher Education | USA

Cozen O’Connor is known for its higher education practice, with a focus on university-related litigation and regulatory matters. The team advises on Title IX and Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance, and provides employment counseling and litigation support, including matters involving collective bargaining. The firm also has experience conducting internal investigations arising from issues such as sexual misconduct, pay equity and discrimination.

Hogan Lovells has a lauded higher education practice with significant expertise in regulatory and transactional matters relating to universities. The firm is particularly strong in handling cross-border matters.

Husch Blackwell has a highly regarded higher education team that regularly assists private and public universities with regulatory, transactional and litigation matters. It is noted for its expertise in Title IX defense work.

Jenner & Block's education team is known for its strong litigation work on behalf of universities, colleges and schools. The practice is also adept at handling government investigations, regulatory compliance and congressional scrutiny. The firm is particularly well regarded for its appellate capabilities, including before the Supreme Court.

Saul Ewing has a highly regarded education team that is particularly known for its capability in litigation for universities and colleges. Their work also includes compliance, regulatory, Title IV program reviews and various claims of discrimination.

Bond, Schoeneck & King is known for its strong higher education practice with particular expertise in matters involving the NCAA and collegiate sports.

Cooley specializes in providing counsel to higher education clients and considers complex issues with both a legal and business-minded perspective. The team's client base includes educational organizations, investors and other businesses in the sector. The firm has experience representing clients in litigation as well as handling a range of regulatory and transactional matters.

Faegre Drinker is a good choice for clients looking for education counsel. The firm has particular expertise advising institutions on their regulatory, public policy and transactional matters. The firm's attorneys also have experience dealing with federal agencies.

Holland & Knight boasts a long-standing higher education practice in the country and regularly represents colleges and universities in transactions, litigation and investigations. Their work covers matters related to Title IX, sexual discrimination and misconduct, employment, union issues, regulatory compliance and institutional advice.

McGuireWoods is a solid choice for those seeking education counsel. The firm assists its clients with a range of higher education-specific matters, including athletics matters, governance and admissions procedures.

Hirsch Roberts Weinstein is noted for advising colleges, universities and other educational institutions on legal and regulatory matters affecting students, employees and campus operations. The team offers broad support across compliance, employment matters and campus safety, and is regularly engaged to conduct investigations, manage crisis response and provide ongoing general counsel support.

Munger, Tolles & Olson boasts a sought-after higher education practice with capabilities in litigation, regulatory and investigative matters. The team advises colleges and universities on a wide range of issues, including Title IX proceedings, constitutional and governance questions, admissions policies, athletics and campus protests. Its work also encompasses internal investigations and pre‑litigation counseling, supporting institutions in managing sensitive matters.

O'Melveny & Myers is noted for its experience assisting higher education institutions with complex and sensitive litigation, investigative and policy and compliance matters.

Pillsbury provides full-service advice to public and private educational institutions across corporate, regulatory, litigation and real estate matters, with further strength in intellectual property, antitrust and tax issues.

WilmerHale is a well-known law practice that focuses on education and anti-discrimination matters. The firm has marked expertise defending institutions in civil litigation and governmental investigations and is skilled at counselling clients on regulatory and policy compliance.

Barnes & Thornburg’s education practice is recognised for its strength in regulatory matters, with particular experience advising on labor and employment disputes, Title IX mandates and issues connected to college-level athletics. The team predominantly handles matters arising in Washington, D.C., Indiana, Georgia, Massachusetts and Illinois.

Clark Hill is commended for its work in matters related to Title IX, student misconduct, faculty disputes, research misconduct and compliance demands.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has experience assisting university clients at both a federal and state level. Its attorneys are skilled at defending institutions against sexual misconduct allegations and alleged antitrust violations concerning financial aid. The firm is also experienced in representing institutions in cases concerning freedom of speech on campus, offering additional expertise in complex appeals.

Hecker Fink's highly acclaimed litigation strengths are called upon by a wide array of educational institutions, who turn to the firm for its high-caliber trial lawyers and disputes specialists in their most challenging civil and regulatory matters. The firm advises on areas including employment, misconduct, Title IX and Title VI cases, as well as on issues surrounding campus protest and free speech.

Michael Best & Friedrich LLP is recognized for advising public and private colleges, universities and research institutions on a broad range of education-related legal matters. The team provides support across labor and employment, intellectual property, immigration and transactional issues, and also advises on Title IX matters and other regulatory-related mandates affecting higher education institutions.

Ropes & Gray is a strong choice for higher education clients seeking assistance with sensitive or complex matters. The firm counts colleges, universities and academic medical centers among its clients.

Troutman Pepper Locke advises public and private colleges and universities on a broad range of legal matters, including employment, real estate, tax, nonprofit governance, intellectual property, regulatory compliance, student conduct, collective bargaining, and transactional issues. The team provides legal counsel on both complex and day‑to‑day issues affecting higher education institutions.