Our Higher Education Practice Group has extensive experience representing higher education institutions in all aspects of their operations.  We currently provide legal services to over 20 colleges, universities and research institutes.  Bowditch & Dewey was the first law firm designated as “Select Counsel” by United Educators Risk Retention Group, the preeminent insurer of colleges and universities in the areas of employment and education liability.

• ADA accessibility and compliance audits
• Affirmative action (in hiring, admissions, financial aid, and scholarships)
• Business contracts (for goods or services)
• Employment law (hiring, discipline, termination, sexual harassment, wage/hour, discrimination)
• Environmental matters related to compliance, audits, and claims
• Faculty relations, including appointment, reappointment, and tenure
• Intellectual property (copyright, trademark, mechanical and engineering patents, and software development and licensing)
• Immigration and visa issues relating to international students, faculty and staff
• Labor law including union elections, collective bargaining, and grievances
• Litigation in courts and administrative agencies
• Public safety and campus security
• Privacy issues, including FERPA and USA PATRIOT Act
• Real estate and facilities related matters including acquisitions, sales, development, permitting, leasing, construction, and code compliance
• Residence life
• Risk management and safety
• Sarbanes-Oxley/Non-Profit voluntary compliance
• Student affairs (including student discipline, issues relating to drugs, alcohol, and accommodating disabilities)
• Tax exempt financing for capital projects (representation of institutions and underwriters)