College administrators need partners who understand their world - the dynamic relationship between faculty and administration, the challenges of ensuring a stable and well-regulated student community, the expanding regulatory climate affecting education, and the technology that will frame the institutions of tomorrow.
Areas of Practice
We routinely advise administrators on compliance, best practices, and trends in the law uniquely affecting community colleges. These areas include:
- Institutional policies, including Employee, Faculty and Student Handbooks
- Admissions policies and practices
- Financial aid and scholarships
- Construction advice and litigation
- Construction agreements and facilities finance
- Labor negotiations
- Compliance with laws regulating classified and certificated employees
- Wage and hour compliance
- Severance and separation agreements
- Technology and software licensing agreements
- Third-party vendor and multi-institution contracts
- Online education contracting
- Regulatory compliance
- Fundraising and development
- Governance
- Bond counsel services
- Real Property
- Environmental Issues
Lozano Smith clients consistently turn to the Community College Practice Group for guidance in every aspect of claims and litigation. They assist this specialized group of clientele with:
- Employment litigation
- Harassment and discrimination complaints
- Student code of conduct violations and proceedings
- Tenure disputes
- First Amendment claims
- Layoff proceedings
- Labor arbitrations
- Breach of contract claims
- Embezzlement/fraud issues
- Unfair business practices claims
- Premises liability claims
- Vendor disputes
Investigations - Learn more
The inherent seriousness and sensitivity of workplace investigations often obligates an employer to hire an independent investigator to conduct a prompt and comprehensive investigation. Lozano Smith's Investigative Services Team, a specialist group within our Labor & Employment Practice Group, recognizes the challenges that come with investigations of employee, student, and parent complaints. These attorneys have expertly served as investigators and advisors to clients on a broad range of complaints and can help your district to navigate the investigations process. Working alongside K-12 school districts, community colleges, universities and other public agencies, the Investigative Services Team supports management in reviewing and responding to employee, student, and parent complaints in a fair, impartial, and legally compliant manner.
Title IX Impact Team
Title IX has taken center stage on a number of fronts. Long before the national attention, Lozano Smith’s Title IX Impact Team was formed as a specialized group dedicated to the pressing issues faced by school districts. From athletics to sexual violence, this team advises, trains, and educates clients on the various components of Title IX – from prevention and mitigation to investigation and response. The Title IX Impact Team draws from multiple practice groups and focuses to streamline advice and counsel. Areas in which the group provides advice and training include:
- Audit of athletic programs
- Audit of grievance procedures and policies
- Discipline of employees and students
- Sexual misconduct and harassment
- Student and employee protections
- Investigations
- Title IX Coordinator roles and responsibilities
- District and employee liability
- Interaction with law enforcement agencies
- Litigation
Real World Applications
By working with attorneys who specialize in the law of higher education, colleges save time and money, and can trust that the attorneys they are speaking to already understand their world. The Group's practical experience translates into proven, efficient solutions.
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February 2025Number 12On February 5, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) entitled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” (EO 14201).In this EO, President Trump aims to ban transgender women from women’s and girls’ sports, relying on the definitions of “male” and “female” from his prior EO, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” (EO 14168). Specific...
Department of Homeland Security Issues Directive Rescinding Policy Limiting Immigration Enforcement in Protected Areas
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According to CalPERS, School Districts May Not Hire Retired CalPERS Annuitants While Recruiting
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Progressive Design-Build Authority Has Been Expanded for Local Public Agencies
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New Bill Addresses Independent Contractor Conflicts of Interest and Provides Safe Harbor
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