Education Law

McNees Wallace & Nurick’s Education Law Group understands the unique needs of educational institutions. Our depth of knowledge in the legislative, policy, and practical matters affecting educational institutions allows us to approach legal issues with foresight, creativity, and sensitivity to the educational mission and the dynamic environment of educational institutions.

Through decades of experience in serving public school districts, charter schools, intermediate units, colleges, universities, and other providers of educational services, McNees has developed superior technical understanding of the legal issues that arise in the board room, the classroom, and the courtroom. We assist in all aspects of legal compliance, provide input on the development and implementation of policies, advise on issues involving governance and finance, and track legislative changes that affect educational institutions. We provide counsel on the requirements of federal and state laws and guidance on issues involving student and faculty rights and discipline. When claims are asserted, we defend our clients with zeal and professionalism, and when necessary, we do not hesitate to protect our clients’ rights through litigation.

Turn to McNees’s Education Law Group for all education-related legal services, including:

• Support in all aspects of compliance, including Title IX, the Clery Act, and the Higher Educational Opportunity Act (HEOA)
• Recommended practices for risk management and litigation avoidance
• Counsel on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Assistance with difficult issues related to student conduct, student rights, and student organizations
• Advice regarding employee discipline, hiring, firing, background checks, tenure decisions, and academic freedom
• Defense of discrimination and harassment claims
• Guidance with respect to tax-exempt status, excess benefit transactions, planned giving programs, and creation of endowments and foundations
• Counsel regarding employees benefits, retirement plans, and deferred compensation

McNees recognizes that the legal issues faced by educational institutions are numerous, varied, and complex. They touch on many areas of law far beyond those strictly applicable to the institutions themselves. Our broad array of practice areas and team approach to serving our clients allow us to coordinate seamlessly with our colleagues to provide comprehensive legal representation to our education clients in related areas including taxation, zoning, real property, construction, intellectual property, food and beverage law, labor and employment, pensions, healthcare regulations, business contracts, corporate governance, government relations, and more.