Education

EDUCATION LAW

SomSull represents education clients from major universities to elite liberal arts colleges to private elementary and secondary schools. Our deep experience advising institutions from both inside and outside provides unique and valuable perspectives to help clients achieve their goals.

Litigation

SomSull defends the important work of educators facing increasing litigation against schools. We have litigated numerous high-profile education law matters, including:

Naca v. Macalester Coll., 2018 WL 4516950 (D. Minn. Sept. 20, 2018) (obtaining summary judgment on faculty termination dispute)

Doe v. Univ. of St. Thomas, 972 F.3d 1014 (8th Cir. 2020) (representing amicus curiae in establishing favorable interpretation of Minnesota common law claims against private colleges and universities)

Shank v. Carleton College, 993 F.3d 567 (8th Cir. 2021) (affirming summary judgment for college on Title IX and related claims)

Does v. Regents of the Univ. of Minn., 2023 WL 425531 (D. Minn. Jan. 26, 2023) (obtaining summary judgment against Title IX claims brought by former football players against university)

Counseling

We serve as outside general counsel to institutions advising on matters unique to education, including:

Faculty and student issues
Title IX and other non-discrimination statutes
Cleary Act compliance
FERPA and privacy matters
Regulatory compliance
Athletics