We provide elite client service and comprehensive guidance across the broad range of legal issues your institution may face—from protecting your intellectual property to complying with Title IX to investing in your real estate and infrastructure. The possibilities are as varied as the institutions themselves.
We serve as general counsel, special counsel and consultant, taking a future-focused approach to your legal needs. We believe anticipation and a proactive strategy are crucial to effective legal counsel, and our industry experience will help you address the ever-changing world of higher education.
More than attorneys, we are members of the team working to ensure your institution’s short- and long-term success. And we can connect your institution with key players in government, real estate, financial services and other business areas.
We support our college and university clients’ missions and help them succeed by offering a deep bench of service areas including: environmental health and safety, tenure disputes, employee benefits, grants and contracts, investments, energy, student discipline, corporate governance, civil rights/affirmative action policies, tax-exempt financing, charitable giving and fundraising, restricted fund management, student privacy rights, student housing, intercollegiate athletics, construction litigation, immigration, labor, employee benefits, intellectual property and technology transfer, export controls, economic sanctions, FCPA, government contracting, government relations, renewable energy tax credits, protection of human subjects in research, real property and land use management, museums and libraries, medical and professional schools, health services institutions, residency training programs and academic medical centers.
The Business Journals | March 04, 2022
Washington, DC Corporate partner Mike Cooney, a member of NP’s Higher Education team, is quoted in this article on the moves by some colleges and universities to divest Russian assets following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Business Journals | February 03, 2022
In this Q&A feature, Providence Complex Disputes partner Steven Richard, leader of NP’s Higher Education team, discusses the state of lawsuits arguing that institutions owe students refunds for moving operations and instruction online, noting some of the variables that could come into play over the next year.
Rhode Island Bar Journal | January 10, 2022
Providence partner and leader of the Higher Education and Title IX teams Steven Richard and department attorney Caitlyn Horbert, both of the Complex Commercial Disputes practice, contributed this article on a much-debated and evolving Title IX question of whether discrimination against a transgender student in an education program or activity constitutes discrimination “on the basis of sex” subject to the statute’s protections.
The Brown Daily Herald | February 18, 2021
Providence Complex Commercial Disputes partner Steven Richard is quoted in this article on virtual legal proceedings in Rhode Island during the pandemic, noting he has seen a greater degree of collegiality among attorneys and more willingness to work together with opposing counsel.
Stanford Social Innovation Review | December 11, 2020
In this article by Stanford University’s Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society’s news website, Washington, D.C. Corporate partner Mike Cooney is quoted for his outlook on whether foundations can increase payouts and/or alter their founding intent.
Intellectual Property Magazine | October 01, 2020
Intellectual Property partner and Life Sciences Practice co-chair Seth Levy and Intellectual Property counsel Peter Wied, both of Los Angeles, contributed this article, based on their alert, which examines the Gensetix Inc v Baylor College of Medicine case and a recent ruling to allow an infringement case to proceed without the state university patent owner’s involvement.
Bloomberg Law | September 30, 2020
This article covers the U.S. International Trade Commission’s institution of a second investigation into leading retailers and suppliers of filament LED lighting products, based on a complaint NP filed on behalf of the Regents of the University of California (UC). Los Angeles Intellectual Property partners Seth Levy and Shawn Hansen are leading the NP team in UC’s LED patent enforcement campaign.
Times Higher Education | September 19, 2020
This article discusses how the LED lighting patent enforcement campaign on behalf of the Regents of the University of California (UC) could chart a path for other universities to protect their innovations, as well as the role of litigation funding in the campaign. The article quotes Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner Seth Levy.
National Association for Law Placement | May 19, 2020
Boston-based senior business development manager Paul Lazdowski, who also co-chairs the NALP Legal Employers Alumni Relations/Programs Section, co-wrote this article on how law firms can rethink the ways in which they stay connected and engaged with alumni amid the global pandemic.
Law360 | April 01, 2020
This article on the latest developments in the college admissions scandal highlights jurisdictional arguments from a brief written by Boston Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Brian Kelly and associates Josh Sharp and Lauren Maynard. The NP attorneys are co-counsel to defendant Gamal Abdelaziz.
Inside Higher Ed | March 26, 2020
Providence Complex Commercial Disputes partner Steven Richard says the lack of a fixed time frame for the completion of Title IX investigations has created uncertainty for colleges and universities during this public health crisis.
Law360 | March 25, 2020
This story on the latest developments in the college admissions matter mentions Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Brian Kelly and associates Josh Sharp and Lauren Maynard for their representation of Gamal Abdelaziz.
Newsweek | February 29, 2020
Boston Government Investigations and White Collar Defense partner Brian Kelly provides third-party commentary in this article about investigations into scientists and researchers at universities across the country for alleged theft of intellectual property and U.S. secrets as part of a long-term Chinese campaign.