We have an extensive and growing counseling practice, in which we help clients develop policies, implement compliance programs, and resolve internal disputes before those disputes ripen into claims. Two of our partners have worked as in-house counsel for major research universities in the Chicago area. In addition, we represent a significant and growing number of smaller institutions and companies that do not employ in-house counsel; for these clients, we offer “real-time” counseling that helps them manage emergent risks.
Our specific counseling experience includes;
- Drafting and updating governing board bylaws, conflict of interest policies, and other governance documents to comply with recent IRS Form 990 revisions and other evolving “best practices.”
- Drafting and updating faculty handbooks, tenure evaluation policies, termination and dismissal processes, and grievance procedures.
- Drafting and updating student affairs policies, including academic integrity procedures, disciplinary codes, threat assessment protocols, and involuntary withdrawal policies.
- Developing employee handbooks and internal compliance programs, including anti-harassment and whistle-blowing procedures.
We also advise administrators, faculty committees, and governing board members about the proper implementation of tenure procedures, financial exigency policies, and other critical rules or regulations. In the process, we have developed a deep understanding of academic culture, in general, and our clients’ unique campus cultures, in particular. In turn, this helps us offer practical, cost-effective counseling to our full range of not-for-profit and corporate clients.
