The national focus of Faegre Baker Daniels on education extends to representation of more than 50 public and private colleges and universities from coast to coast.

Our professionals respond to legal services involving various administrative, faculty and student life issues, including concerns over board relationships and conduct, institutional development, business operations, faculty tenure and termination, liability issues and campus security. We also provide legal services in drafting and reviewing various policies, procedures and institutional documents.

Federal Funding and Legislation

We know the politics of education. Our Washington, D.C. office provides us with access to the U.S. Department of Education and other institutions and associations located in the nation's capital. In working with our consulting division — FaegreBD Consulting — over the last 20 years, we have helped more than 30 colleges and universities receive more than $250 million in higher education federal funding and resources they need to prepare students for an increasingly competitive world.

Additionally, partnership with FaegreBD Consulting provides guidance on federal, state and local government legislation — and the opportunity to advocate for improved laws and policies.

Trustees and Adjunct Faculty Members

Our commitment to education extends beyond merely providing legal representation to institutions. Our lawyers currently serve — or have served — as trustees at a number of Midwest colleges and universities. Several of our lawyers previously served in senior and mid-level administrative positions at institutions of higher education.

Our lawyers also are serving — or have served — as adjunct faculty members at such law schools as the University of Minnesota, Indiana University, University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University, University of Colorado, University of Denver, University of St. Thomas, Hamline University and William Mitchell.

In a full scope of matters, our professionals advise and counsel education clients on:

Employment

• Termination of tenured and tenure-track faculty
• Employee benefit issues, including development and administration of retirement and health and welfare benefit plans, and deferred compensation arrangements unique to tax-exempt or governmental employers — e.g., 403(b) plans or 457 plans
• Equal pay act claims and audits of pay practices
• Personnel policies and practices, including faculty handbooks
• Design and implementation of severance and early retirement arrangements
• Drafting of faculty and executive employment agreements
• Collective bargaining and teachers' union negotiations and arbitrations
• Advice on temporary and permanent work visas for faculty and staff
• Advice on I-9 compliance procedures

Student Affairs

• Student discipline, academic sanctions and other student affairs issues
• IDEA and disabilities considerations
• Foreign travel programs
• Issues unique to online education programs
• FERPA, HIPAA and other privacy and student records laws
• Preparation of sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual misconduct and student conduct policies and training materials

Finance and Administration

• Executive compensation
• Unrelated business income tax
• IRS audits
• Property tax exemption
• Restricted gifts and endowment funds
• Disclosure obligations in fund-raising solicitations
• Deferred giving programs

Intellectual Property

• Issues on trademarks, copyrights, website policies, software development and licensing, and online services such as online libraries, distance learning, alumnae directories, course registration testing and fundraising