Our team of White Collar & Investigations lawyers has handled some of the highest-profile investigations of and for academic institutions and affiliated organizations. These have included 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. 

Practice Spotlight  

At Perkins Coie, our White Collar & Investigations lawyers are recognized on a national level for rigorous, independent investigations of sexual abuse. Our methodology is grounded in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach. We have managed some of the most sensitive and high-profile university and college investigations in recent years, including cases involving a former Ohio State University team physician. 

Learn more about our White Collar & Investigations practice here.

Our team is dedicated to assisting in every phase of clients’ construction and development projects, from property acquisition to design, engineering, and construction teams.  

Practice Spotlight 

We take pride in our representation of the University of Washington, a key player in the continuous development of downtown Seattle’s Metropolitan Tract, comprising an impressive 1.9 million square feet of office space and 600,000 square feet of 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 and monetizing IP is essential for academic institutions. Perkins Coie helps ensure the protection of college and universities’ discoveries and concepts. Our IP team includes numerous lawyers with advanced degrees in key fields such as electrical engineering, computer science, and the life sciences. They prepare and prosecute patent and trademark applications, foreseeing both licensing possibilities and potential disputes. Our approach to portfolio management is comprehensive, shepherding innovations through every stage of development in such industries as computer science, electronics, semiconductors, telecommunications, life sciences, biotechnology, medical devices, aerospace, and consumer products. 

Practice Spotlight 

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has retained Perkins Coie to handle patent matters in such areas 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 deal with complicated social and compliance risks that have the potential to attract unwanted and damaging public attention. Our lawyers partner with educational organizations to provide proactive, strategic guidance. We address concerns, from sensitive individual claims to policy development and compliance issues initiated by entities such as the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and the U.S. 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. We are also experienced in addressing union activities, immigration, and employee benefits.  

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

Practice Spotlight 

Perkins Coie was retained by two large state universities in connection with audits by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), resulting in zero-dollar settlements. 

Learn more about our Labor & Employment Law practice here.

Our litigation team is guided by leaders with extensive experience in higher education matters and a demonstrated understanding of the responsibilities of NACUA. We have represented clients in matters involving accreditation, government contracts, employment and labor, and the protection of IP. We are well-versed in handling the complexities that have emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, class actions to insurance claims, athletics-related concerns involving matters from NCAA regulations, and state and federal disability laws. 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.

Relationships with third-party vendors and the rise of “smart campuses” are among the challenges presented by the Internet of Things and remote learning. These underscore the importance of data privacy and information security. The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and at least 41 state laws address privacy as a critical IT challenge for higher education. Our team is dedicated to helping institutions 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 (P3) enable public-sector organizations to harness private-sector resources for capital improvement and growth. From start to finish, our lawyers 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 sophisticated clinical and research centers.