Venable has been actively involved in the practice of education and school law for over 50 years. The firm represents a wide variety of educational institutions and handles virtually every kind of legal issue that can arise in representing independent secondary schools offering pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade programs, private and public colleges and universities and public county-wide school systems. Our education and school law attorneys regularly speak at state and national meetings on selected topics or offer in-house presentations.
Business matters.
- Review and preparation of contracts
- Estate planning techniques for fund-raising
- Executive compensation
- Tuition remission
- Executive severance agreements
- Tax issues for nonprofit institutions
- Public and private bond and financing issues
- Intellectual property issues pertaining to copyrights, trademark and patent infringement
- Legislative initiatives regarding federal financial aid programs
Real estate matters.
- Purchase and sale of buildings or property
- Zoning issues
- Relations with neighbors
- Maintaining safe campus
- Construction contracts
Risk management.
- Buildings and grounds
- Transportation vehicles and policies
- Safe premises
- Off campus restrictions
- Athletic risks and policies
- Alcohol policy risks
Labor relations and employee benefits.
- Employee Handbook
- Leave issues
- Medical screening and employment decisions
- Workers' compensation
- ERISA compliance
- Imposition of probation
- Suspension and termination
- Performance evaluations
- Faculty grievance procedures
- Union issues and labor contract negotiation
- Employment discrimination claims
- Affirmative action
- Application and hiring process
Student issues.
- Accommodation of learning disabilities
- Student Handbook policies
- Due process (Honor Code procedures) prior to suspension or discipline
- Academic dishonesty
- Theft investigations
- Appropriate role of school in custody and domestic issues
- Drug and alcohol policies and discipline
Interpretation of Americans With Disabilities Act.
- Admission of students with learning disabilities
- Undue burden determination
- Reasonable accommodation
- Facilities and program access
- Training of supervisors and administrators in ADA requirements
Sexual harassment.
- Prevention programs and training
- Investigations
- Confidentiality and privacy restrictions
- Disciplinary action
Faculty and tenure issues.
- Appointment, promotion and tenure
- Termination
- Disciplinary issues and dismissals
- Grievance procedures
- Retrenchment program
- Reduction and downsizing
- Litigation
Regulatory compliance and proceedings.
- IRS tax-exempt status
- Occupational Safety and Health Act
- Private and public accreditation
- Equal Employment Opportunity Act
- Family and Medical Leave Act Litigation
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Litigation.
- Personnel decisions, employment discrimination and wrongful discharge decisions
- Property disputes with neighbors
- Faculty disputes, dismissals and nonrenewals
- Defense of tenure decisions
- Challenges to public school financing formulae