Kacey Houston Walker

What do you focus on?

Complex Commercial Disputes

I represent clients from a variety of industries in a wide range of disputes, including commercial contract claims, business torts, and land-use litigation. I frequently represent clients in trade-secret and restrictive-covenant litigation, prosecuting and defending claims concerning the ideas, products, and people that are essential to the success of their business.

I work with clients to minimize risk by understanding their business needs and developing strategies to proactively avoid legal disputes. When disputes arise, I position clients to achieve their objectives outside of litigation whenever possible. And when litigation cannot be avoided, I leverage my breadth of experience and advocacy skills to guide clients through the litigation process in courts and arbitral tribunals.

Higher Education Law

I am passionate about helping colleges and universities navigate the challenges they face. In advising clients on policy and compliance issues and litigating significant disputes, I draw from my past professional experience in higher education administration to craft solutions that advance their educational missions and fit their campus cultures. My experience includes matters involving student and faculty conduct and disciplinary proceedings, compliance with and claims under anti-discrimination laws, and general litigation on behalf of institutions of higher education.

What do you see on the horizon?

Educational institutions face evolving challenges to their policies and processes concerning sexual misconduct as the regulatory framework and decisional law remains in flux. Our team is monitoring regulatory changes and litigation trends to help colleges and universities navigate this dynamic and high-stakes area.

Publications

• “Discovery Directed to Corporate Representatives or Executives” (coauthor), in Product Liability Litigation: Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices, Practising Law Institute (2015)
• “Decision-Making Rights of Teen Parents” (coauthor), Michigan Child Welfare Law Journal, Summer 2009