Our team of White Collar & Investigations attorneys is nationally recognized and has been at the forefront of guiding and responding to some of the highest-profile investigations for and on behalf of academic institutions and affiliated organizations. These have encompassed inquiries into a broad spectrum of issues, from financial impropriety and research misconduct to environmental regulations and campus security. We have worked collaboratively with these institutions to establish and enhance compliance protocols designed to mitigate and forestall such challenges.

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At Perkins Coie, we are recognized on a national level for our rigorous, independent investigations of sexual abuse. Our methodology is grounded in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach. We are proud to have managed some of the most sensitive and high-profile university and college investigations in recent years. This includes cases involving a former Ohio State University team physician and the Aurora, Colorado “theater shooter” (and former University of Colorado graduate student), James Holmes. 

Learn more about our White Collar & Investigations practice here. 

As a recognized leader in school construction and real estate law, our team is dedicated to assisting you in every phase of your construction and development projects. From property acquisition to building successful design, engineering, and construction teams, our attorneys are here to support you. We have represented school districts, community colleges, and universities, and other public and private property owners in the creation of thousands of design, engineering, construction, and related agreements for tens of billions of dollars in school construction projects.

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We take pride in our representation of the University of Washington, a key player in the continuous development of downtown Seattle’s “Metropolitan Tract,” an impressive 1.9 million square feet of office space and 600,000 square feet for retail. Our collaboration with the university extends across a variety of construction and real estate initiatives.

Learn more about our Real Estate & Land Use practice here. 

Safeguarding intellectual property stands as a cornerstone for the academic community. Distinguished educational and research institutions engage the services of Perkins Coie to ensure the protection of their discoveries and concepts. Our patent team boasts a cadre of lawyers with advanced degrees in key fields such as electrical engineering, computer science, and the life sciences. Their experience, coupled with their technical acumen, enables them to adeptly prepare and prosecute patent applications, foreseeing both licensing possibilities and potential disputes. Our approach to portfolio management is comprehensive, shepherding innovative technologies through every stage of development across an array of industries, including computer science, electronics, semiconductors, telecommunications, life sciences, biotechnology, medical devices, aerospace, and consumer products.

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The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has retained Perkins Coie to handle patent matters in various areas, such as biomedical sciences, nanotechnology, communications, and electronics. Among the notable inventions are UCSD’s electrochemical sensor technologies for skin-detectable, minimally invasive biosensors. Perkins Coie is also managing patent work for university inventions on microfluidic systems for bioengineering and nanomotors for targeted drug delivery in the circulatory system.

Learn more about our Intellectual Property practice here.

Educational institutions are confronted with a myriad of social and compliance risks that have the potential to thrust them into the public spotlight and political debates. Our dedicated team of Labor & Employment lawyers partners with educational organizations to provide proactive, strategic guidance to anticipate, evaluate, and tackle these challenges. We offer the wealth of experience and proficiency needed to address a broad spectrum of institutional concerns, from delicate claims to the intricacies of policy development and compliance issues stemming from federal and state regulations by entities such as the Department of Labor (DOL), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) among others.

Our team offers strategic guidance on all facets of employment law, from equal employment opportunities to employee discipline, faculty selection, and beyond. Whether it’s navigating the complexities of union activities or addressing immigration and employee benefits, we’re here to provide thorough representation, be it in administrative procedures, mediation, trials or appeals.

Our team has spearheaded and supported institutional responses to some of the nation’s most prominent investigations. These have encompassed inquiries regarding sexual abuse and harassment, discrimination, and hostile work environments.

Practice Spotlight

Perkins Coie was retained to conduct an internal investigation on behalf of The Ohio State University concerning allegations of sexual misconduct by a former university employee. Perkins Coie also represented two large state universities in connection with audits by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), resulting in settlements for zero dollars.

Learn more about out Labor & Employment Law practice here. 

Our litigation team is guided by leaders with extensive experience in matters related to higher education and who have demonstrated dedication to the NACUA. Our areas of expertise include but are not limited to accreditation, government contracts, employment and labor, and the protection of intellectual property. We are well-versed in handling the complexities that have emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, from class actions to insurance claims. Our focus on athletics-related concerns encompasses everything from NCAA regulations to state and federal disability laws, providing comprehensive support to our clients. We prioritize proactive advisory services to ensure compliance with statutes, regulations, and contracts, aiming to prevent litigation where possible. Additionally, we offer guidance in responding to investigations from federal and state agencies.

Learn more about our Litigation practice here.

As we examine the multitude of data collection points our students, staff, and administrators face daily, our attention turns to the intricate web of relationships with third-party vendors, the rise of “smart campuses,” and the challenges presented by the internet of things and remote learning. These intricacies underscore the paramount importance of prioritizing data privacy and information security. With state and federal laws, including the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and laws from at least 41 states, the 2020 EDUCAUSE study rightfully pointed out privacy as the second-most critical IT challenge for higher education. Our team, composed of esteemed industry leaders, is dedicated to helping institutions diligently protect the privacy rights of their constituents and uphold the responsibility for safeguarding restricted data.

Learn more about our Privacy & Data Security practice here.

Public-private partnerships are our specialty, enabling public-sector organizations to harness private-sector resources for capital improvement and growth. From start to finish, our attorneys support higher education institutions across the full spectrum of P3 transactions. This encompasses the development, financing, construction, operation, and management of a wide range of facilities—from student housing to cutting-edge clinical and research centers.

Practice Spotlight

Our recent P3 engagements illustrate our commitment to representing myriad stakeholders in the creation of transformative spaces. Whether it’s a university in Oklahoma embarking on student housing and more, a California-based academic institution expanding with a new facility, or a university in Alaska enhancing their student dining experience, we stand ready.