Education

We help institutions comply with the Clery Act, develop emergency response protocols, and manage reputational risk during crises. Our team also advises on mental health policies, behavioral threat assessments, and mandatory reporting.

Our attorneys counsel on FERPA compliance, data privacy, breach response, cybersecurity risk mitigation, and vendor management involving student and employee data.

We counsel boards, trustees, and senior leadership on governance best practices, fiduciary duties, open meetings laws, policy development, accreditation standards, and risk management.

We advise schools on the full range of workforce-related legal matters, including faculty contracts, tenure disputes, collective bargaining, employee investigations, and wage and hour compliance. Our team supports clients through employment litigation, labor arbitrations, and the development of personnel policies, handbooks, and internal protocols. We also assist with immigration matters, including obtaining visas for non-citizen faculty and staff. From discrimination and harassment claims to reductions in force and OSHA compliance, we help educational institutions manage risk and maintain strong, legally sound workplace practices.

Hinshaw defends educational institutions in federal and state court, before administrative agencies, and in internal investigations. We represent schools in disputes involving negligence, civil rights, employment claims, and contract matters.

Our team advises on student discipline, due process, free speech rights, Title IX, special education (IDEA/504), disability accommodations, and grievance resolution. We also represent institutions in student litigation and administrative complaints.

Hinshaw provides comprehensive Title IX support—from policy creation and training to investigations and hearing procedures. We also handle compliance with broader civil rights laws, including ADA, Section 504, and FERPA.