Overview
Sarah Pheasant advises clients on various aspects of education law and regulatory compliance, including issues pertaining to the Higher Education Act, Title IV federal student aid programs, state educational licensing laws and the accreditation of postsecondary institutions. She has helped to advise non-profit and for-profit educational institutions and private investors on complex transactions, including changes of ownership involving institutions of higher education.
Before joining the firm, Sarah handled a diverse range of litigation, from pharmaceutical product liability and white-collar criminal defense to legal malpractice and securities litigation. She has also advised on legislative and policy matters around elder care and non-profit administration.
Education Industry Transactions and Contracts
- Represents clients in purchases and sales of institutions or their assets
- Represents private institutional clients in conversions from proprietary to not-for-profit status
Higher Education Act and Federal Student Aid Programs
- Counsels clients on U.S. Department of Education negotiated rulemaking processes
- Advises clients on matters arising from institutional participation in federal student aid programs, including change of ownership processes and requirements, campus crime, safety and sexual assault regulations under the Clery Act and Title IX of the Higher Education Act
Related Legal Services
Credentials
Bar Admissions
District of Columbia
Court Admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
Education
Harvard Law School
J.D. Journal of Legislation, Women's Law Journal, Journal on Law & Public Policy
Swarthmore College
B.A. cum laude
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
News
Other Perspectives
- U.S. Department of Education Proposes Revised Regulations on Borrower Defense and Other Student Loan Discharge Matters
Republished in Career Education Review, Summer 2022, Issue 3, Sept. 20, 2022
Firm Blog Contributions
- Discerning Data – a forum that discusses developments in privacy, cybersecurity, information governance and data analytics
Leadership & Community
Pro Bono
- Washington Lawyers’ Committee
- Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
- Election Protection 2008, 2012, 2016, 2018
- Erie House
- Kids in Need of Defense
Professional Associations
- Women’s Bar Association
- District of Columbia Bar, Litigation Section
- District of Columbia Bar, ADR Section
Civic Activities
- District of Columbia Bar – Lawyer Assistance Committee
- New York Avenue Presbyterian Church – Community Club Tutoring
- Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows – Mentor
Firm Leadership
- Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Associates Committee; Public Interest Committee; D.C. Pro Bono Committee; Women’s Committee
Honors
- Faegre Drinker — Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2021-23
Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.