A former university deputy general counsel, Scott Goldschmidt acutely understands the stresses and complex legal, regulatory and compliance challenges that higher education institutions face every day. Drawing upon this background, he delivers a practical and actionable perspective to institutions and education companies, while considering their unique missions and culture.
Scott advises institutions on a range of day-to-day and long-term legal issues affecting the higher education community, offering particular experience in discrimination law (including Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act), student affairs, federal financial aid (Title IV) compliance, contract drafting and review, and policy development. He also frequently handles regulatory and transactional work for public and private higher educational institutions and education companies.
Before joining the firm, Scott worked for the better part of a decade in the general counsel’s office at The Catholic University of America, where he worked with members of the board, presidents, provosts, senior administrators, deans, department heads, and faculty on a variety of complex legal and compliance issues. Based on his experience, Scott understands that colleges and universities operate in an area of almost constant flux and uncertainty. While this uncertainty can make compliance difficult, Scott helps his clients understand, prepare for, and respond to non-stop regulatory churn and move forward confidently.
Scott has been an active member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA) since 2012 and frequently writes and speaks on topics impacting the higher education community. He also worked as a law clerk in the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the General Counsel.
Before attending law school, Scott started his career in education working in a fifth grade classroom in a Washington, D.C. elementary school with City Year, an education nonprofit dedicated to students’ and schools’ success. He is proud to currently serve on the City Year Washington, D.C. Executive Board in addition to his practice.
experience
- Counseled institutions and conducted trainings for institutional employees on compliance with federal regulations, including Title IX, ADA/Section 504, FERPA, the Clery Act.
- Represented institutions in investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Education regarding Title IX, Section 504 and compliance with federal financial aid regulations.
- Counseled institutions, higher education companies, and prospective institutions on federal financial aid compliance, accreditation standards, and state authorization requirements.
- Led investigations of staff and faculty regarding alleged misconduct and advised on employee conduct proceedings.
- Advised institutions with respect to mergers, sales, and acquisitions before the U.S. Department of Education, accrediting agencies, and state licensing agencies.
- Drafted and revised numerous institutional policies and faculty and student handbooks.
- Designed and delivered compliance training on Title IX, ADA/Section 504, FERPA, and the Clery Act.
- Assisted in the creation of institution-wide compliance programs and initiatives.
- Advised institutions in audits and reviews conducted by the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
- Counseled institution on the creation of protection of minors policy and procedures and summer camp risks.
Professional
- National Association of College and University Attorneys
Community
- City Year, Washington, D.C. Executive Board of Directors
- Quoted, “Alleging ‘Negligence,’ Fordham Files to Cut Ties With 2U”
Inside Higher Ed, September 12, 2024 - Co-Author, “The Terrence Shannon Case: Participating In College Sports Is a Right, Not Just a Privilege”
Sports Litigation Alert, July 26, 2024 - Quoted, “Why Colleges May Rethink Their Online Programs After 2U Declares Bankruptcy”
The Chronicle of Higher Education, July 25, 2024 - Quoted, “Nearly 700 More Colleges Don’t Have to Comply With New Title IX Rule”
Inside Higher Ed, July 17, 2024 - Quoted, “Is Biden’s Title IX rule built to last? This expert is unsure”
University Business, April 23, 2024 - Co-Author, “All Speech Considered: Expressive Activity in a Virtual World”
NACUA Spring CLE 2021 - Co-Author, “Managing Camp Liability”
NACUANOTE 2017
- “Title IX Regulations Update”
American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Webinar, October 2024 - “Hot Topics in FERPA”
SUNY Online Summit, March 2023 - “All Speech Considered: Expressive Activity in a Virtual World”
NACUA Spring CLE 2021 - “Policy Management: The Most Important Things You Are Not Doing”
NACUA Annual Conference, 2018 - “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah, Hello Lawyah? Managing Camp Risks and Liability”
NACUA Webinar, 2017
I’m a dad to two young kids, so my free time is mostly theirs, which suits me just fine. I am a big fan of baseball — and, during the summers, softball — and I enjoy sharing these simple pleasures with them.