The rules in the highly regulated industry of higher education are unforgiving, leaving little to no room for error or inexperience. There are very few bona fide higher education practice groups with our depth of experience that are entirely dedicated to and not merely dabbling in the higher ed space.
Our attorneys have worked for institutions of higher education, served as post-secondary regulators, and hold advanced degrees in education and higher education administration. As we guide clients through their most complex regulatory, transactional, litigation and policy matters, we never forget who they are and what makes them special.
Our regulatory prowess is foundational to our practice. For our group, the laws, standards and guidance enforced by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), accreditors and state education agencies, and the complex Federal Student Aid Programs framework are table stakes. And we never simply tell clients what the law says. Because we know the challenges and tensions a new requirement could create, we provide practical solutions for compliance and achieving business goals.
masters of higher ed M&A
As the higher ed space continues to contract, colleges and universities are combining forces at an accelerating pace. Investors are active in the arena as well. Considering that some post-secondary schools are almost small cities themselves, higher ed transactions are often large and very complicated. We are well-known and optimally positioned for handling every aspect of higher ed M&A — so much so, in fact, that we often get calls from AmLaw 50 law firms asking us for our expertise on their high-profile education deals.
from litigation to lobbying
Our experienced team of postsecondary litigators have successfully defended institutions of higher education in lawsuits and arbitrations brought by former students in multiple jurisdictions (typically where the student alleges misrepresentation and violation of state consumer protection statutes). We also have extensive experience advising institutions of higher education and loan servicers facing government investigations, charges brought by regulators, False Claims Act actions and employee-related litigation. As an added bonus, our Lobbying and Policy practice boasts decades of experience in higher education policy, a natural complement to our other higher ed offerings.
what our clients say
“Thompson Coburn is a key strategic partner for multifaceted and complicated matters, such as corporate restructuring and institutional acquisitions. Throughout such processes, their decades of experience managing higher education transactional matters with counsel from regulatory, corporate, tax, employment and other necessary aspects supported our client needs and resulted in successful outcomes. Their attorneys balance the business and legal considerations to support client needs from start to finish.”
Mark Falkowski, Vice President and General Counsel, Lindenwood Education System
“The team at Thompson Coburn is deeply connected in the higher education sector and they have specialized expertise across the complex regulatory, tax, and enterprise issues at the heart of every deal. They deftly balance the responsibility of vigorously protecting their clients while getting deals to the finishing line. Thompson Coburn are partners in success for their clients and they have a style that makes people excited to work with them.”
Mike Buttry, Managing Director, Cherry Tree & Associates
“We knew merging our school with another university would be a complex undertaking, and that we would face regulatory hurdles and potential cultural clashes along the way. Thompson Coburn’s experience with higher ed M&A was invaluable. They anticipated the various twists and turns, from faculty issues to athletics to regulatory requirements. It felt like they were an extension of our own administration, addressing the details so that we could focus on the bigger picture. Merging wasn’t easy, but with Thompson Coburn by our side, it felt like smooth sailing, compared to what it could have been.”
Ali R. Malekzadeh, Ph.D., President, Roosevelt University
“When we decided to expand into the United States through acquisition, we knew we wanted a firm that focused on higher education and had a track record of handling transactions in the space. TC worked with us in every phase, from early strategy to post-closing regulatory approvals. We appreciated their experience and expertise, and also their genuine desire to see us be successful.”
Samarth Jain, Business Development Manager North America, S P Jain School of Global Management
Our knowledge of and commitment to the higher education community is unmistakable on our complimentary Higher Education Resources webpage.
For many institutions, we often serve as general counsel, efficiently assisting with compliance, training, labor matters, and other operational matters.
We advise postsecondary institutions on governance and other internal matters involving students, faculty and staff, facilities, academics, marketing and operations.
Some members of our team have been practicing together for 20+ years, which further enhances our synergies and ability to deliver seamless service.
Find updates on REGucation, our higher education blog that strives, through practical advice and insight, to help the higher education community manage a fast-changing and increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Read REGucation
