Hogan & Hartson’s education group represents public school districts, independent schools, public and independent colleges and universities, education associations, education focused businesses and investment groups, education institutions formed and operating in other countries, foundations and institutes in the education field, and other organizations involved with the teaching, research, and public service missions of education. Our public, nonprofit, and private clients are located throughout the United States and around the world. Our attorneys are experienced in the full range of legal matters faced by the education sector, including a very broad array of regulatory mandates; civil rights; trial and appellate litigation; corporate transactions; joint ventures, investments, and other business initiatives; privacy; labor and employment; technology acquisition and transfer; international initiatives; and intellectual property issues.

We aim to help education clients accomplish their missions. We draw on the experience of lawyers who have held positions in Congress, at leading universities, with school districts, and with education organizations. Among our lawyers are a former U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education; a former University Counsel and Deputy General Counsel of Harvard University; the former Interim Executive Director of the National Association of College and University Attorneys; and a former K-12 principal and senior administrator. We work seamlessly with lawyers in nearly all of the firm’s other practice groups who are conversant with particular types of legal problems of education clients.

We aim to have an intimate understanding of education clients’ needs. We stay abreast of education related developments, listen closely to our clients, and provide legal services adapted to the education environment. We keep costs down by staffing matters carefully and structuring fee arrangements that meet the objectives of our clients. We emphasize preventive law strategies to manage legal risk. Our lawyers work with client in-house counsel and co-counsel to provide cost-effective, high-quality service.

Leadership Positions

• John Edward Porter, former U.S. Representative from Illinois’ 10th District and Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education
• Martin Michaelson, former University Counsel and Deputy General Counsel to Harvard University and Fellow of the National Association of College and University Attorneys
• Elizabeth Meers, former trustee and member of the executive committee for Radcliffe College; Interim Executive Director of the National Association of College and University Attorneys; and Chair of the Grants Committee, Public Contract Section, Federal Bar Association
• Maree Sneed, former secondary principal and assistant principal, supervisor of countywide gifted and alternative programs (Montgomery County, Md.), and high school teacher (Montgomery County, Md.; Norman, Okla.).; Maree is on the board of directors of the National School Boards Foundation and has served on the Council of School Attorneys; as Co‑chair of the Council’s Urban Law Committee; and on the board of advisors of the American Association of School Administrators
• Audrey J. Anderson, former U.S. Supreme Court law clerk for Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist
• John W. Borkowski, former law clerk for The Honorable Patricia M. Wald, then chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
• Alexander E. Dreier, former assistant to the Provost of the University of Oklahoma and law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
• Patricia A. Brannan, Elizabeth Meers, and Steven Routh, former clerks at the District of Columbia Court of Appeals
• Stephanie J. Gold, former law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• John Borkowski has worked extensively with the Southern Education Foundation in Atlanta on higher education desegregation issues
• Our lawyers have served on the board of regents for Georgetown University; as trustee and executive committee member for Radcliffe College; on the board of advisors of the U.S. School Superintendents; and on the boards of directors of the National School Boards Foundation, Research! America, and Teach for America, D.C.
• Hogan & Hartson’s education practice includes two lecturers at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, as well as adjunct faculty members of The George Washington University School of Law and Loyola University School of Law.
• Firm lawyers have served as commentators and editorial advisors to West's Education Law Reporter, Trusteeship Magazine, Change Magazine, School Superintendent’s Insider, No Child Left Behind Financial Compliance Insider, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. We have published in the Journal of College and University Law, the Bureau of National Affairs’ Medical Research Law and Policy Report, and other publications.
• A member of the group has served on the board of directors of the Council of School Attorneys and as Co-chair of the Council’s Urban Law Committee. We belong to the National Association of College and University Attorneys, Magnet Schools of America, National Association of College and University Business Officers, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, National School Boards Association, American Association of School Administrators, and Education Law Association.

• Hogan & Hartson has represented every Ivy League institution, many of the flagship state universities, and universities in every region of the United States.
• Firm lawyers have served as counsel to more than 30 public school districts in 14 states.

• More than 100 independent and public colleges and universities located throughout the United States
• Dozens of public school districts, including:
  • Chicago Public Schools
  • District of Columbia Public Schools
  • Kansas City, Missouri School District
  • Miami Dade School District
  • Milwaukee Public Schools
  • Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools
  • San Francisco Unified School District
• K-12 education national and regional associations
• Independent elementary and secondary schools
• Academic medical centers
• National and regional higher education associations
• Postsecondary institutions
• Religious affiliated institutions
• Business, community, and philanthropic organizations that support education
• Education focused businesses
• International institutions