Williams Kastner’s Education Law Practice Team supports clients in academia so they can continue enriching communities by providing education. Student discipline, teacher terminations, internet usage policies, school security, increased regulatory scrutiny, and document management issues challenge the accomplishment of this goal every day. We provide educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to provide quality education to their students, in a traditional or virtual classroom environment, while facing these challenges. In addition, our education law attorneys assist clients in expanding their educational service platform through solid business planning, assistance with corporate governance, entity formation and the establishment of joint ventures.

Our Education Law Practice Team has the experience, resources, and knowledge to provide exceptional legal services in the areas of risk management, labor and employment, finance and investment, governance, domestic and international transactions, contract law, litigation, premises liability, tribal law, and regulatory law including regulations under FERPA, Title IV, and Washington’s Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board. Our attorneys have represented a variety of academic institutions including: pre-schools, K-12, tribal schools, school districts, public and private colleges and universities, and vocational/technical career schools.

Our Services Include:

• Compliance with accrediting standards and state and federal regulations
• Education and training for employees, managers, and in-house counsel
• Drafting or reviewing contracts, disclosures, and arbitration agreements
• Electronic document management and retention policies
• Litigation, arbitration, or alternative dispute resolution
• Crisis management
• Organizing profit and non-profit corporations
• Obtaining 501(c)(3) status as private foundations or public charities
• Establishing profit ventures under a non-profit parent
• Joint ventures between U.S. and non-U.S. educational institutions
• Performing due diligence for transactions
• Immigration issues regarding employees

Williams Kastner attorneys are members of the following organizations:

• Board of Governors, City University of Seattle
• The Association of Governing Boards of Universities & Colleges
• Northwest Career Colleges Federation
• Board of Advisors for Gonzaga University School of Law
• Education Law Association
• Council on Law in Higher Education

Articles and Presentations:

“Changes in Education Loan Regulations: The ‘New TILA/Regulation Z’ and You,” Williams Kastner Education Law Webinar, Seattle, WA, March 3, 2010.

“Hiring and Terminations—Proceed with Caution,” Williams Kastner Education Law Webinar, Seattle, WA, January 13, 2010.

“FERPA Amendments: Updates and Analysis,”, Williams Kastner Education Law Webinar, September 23, 2009.

“Changes in ADA Compliance for Both Students and Employees,” Williams Kastner Education Law Webinar, July 29, 2009.

“Changes in ADA Compliance for Both Students and Employees,” Northwest Career Colleges Federation Annual Conference, June 4, 2009.

“Managing Communications in the Age of E-Discovery,” Educational Law Association Annual Conference, November 11, 2008.

“Emerging Legal Issues: School Violence,” June 17, 2008.

“Protecting Student Privacy Rights,” includes “Summary of Proposed Changes,” Northwest Career Colleges Federation Teleseminar, May 20, 2008.

“Career School Responsibilities Under USERRA, “ Northwest Career Colleges Fall 2007 Update.