As the education sector becomes increasingly privatized, we help our clients navigate the growing global education market and the challenges posed by the Internet and other distance-learning technologies.

For decades, our lawyers have helped educational institutions of all types and size (and the people who run, govern and advise them), as well as the technology and other companies that service the education sector, to achieve their goals. We work with public, private, non-profit and proprietary institutions and companies to structure transactions, address legislative initiatives, resolve disputes, and protect, enforce and develop IP rights.

Our clients include education companies, institutions, investors and technology and other service providers. They benefit from seamless, firmwide access to skilled lawyers across disciplines and regions. In this way, we deliver timely, cost-effective sector knowledge and insight along with a full range of commercial legal services, many of which are critical to the success of institutions and companies in the education sector.

Our deep knowledge and broad experience in all aspects of the education industry provides the full complement of legal services necessary to invest in, operate, grow and exit investments in educational institutions and related businesses that operate in this highly complex and litigious environment. 

Focus areas

  • Government relations and advocacy
    With a worldwide network and years of experience in the sector, we help clients develop stronger relationships with key legislators and policymakers. In addition, our lawyers advise clients appearing before legislative and executive branch decision makers regarding proposed legislation and administrative rules and regulations, and devising overall advocacy strategies at the federal, state and local levels.
  • IP protection and technology transfer
    We advise on the protection and transfer of intellectual property developed for and within educational institutions to maximize value and use.
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
    Our lawyers defend educational institutions in False Claims Act, or qui tam, litigation, as well as matters involving the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), civil rights and other faculty, staff and student-related disputes. We also help clients respond to state law consumer advocacy claims and handle construction disputes and related litigation.
  • Transactional services

    Our lawyers regularly handle mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, other debt and equity financings, private equity and venture capital investments, and financing and real estate transactions involving for-profit and non-profit educational institutions. We also work with technology and other companies that focus on the education sector, as well as transaction-related due diligence services. We combine our leading M&A, capital markets, and emerging growth and venture capital practices with significant education industry experience, including transactional, litigation and government relations matters.