Education/Private School Law

McLane's Education and Private School Practice Group represents a large number of independent schools and colleges in the New England region. With twelve attorneys practicing in this area of law, we believe our focus and dedication to this industry is unparalleled.

The attorneys in the Education Group are drawn from a wide range of legal areas, including business, employment, immigration, litigation, and taxation law. All the attorneys who practice in this Group apply their skills in these areas of law to the specific needs of educational institutions.

Representing private schools and colleges in all aspects of operation, the Education Group advises on a wide range of issues, from administration, employment and fiscal matters to risk management, torts, training, regulatory compliance and immigration issues. This includes assistance regarding faculty, staff, and student matters, policy drafting and implementation, training and seminars, internal investigations, and representation before federal, state, and local courts and agencies.

Regarding the administration of schools, the Education Group advises on corporate governance issues, including representation of the Board of Trustees. We also advise on fiscal and financial issues and their legal risks and opportunities, including tax-exempt status. Our Group also advises on employment issues, including tenure, personnel policies, student handbooks, the Americans with Disabilities Act, civil rights, immigration issues for faculty and students, employee benefits, and sexual harassment.

Risk management is always an important issue, and one the Education Group has significant experience counseling private schools on a variety of issues. We provide advice and conduct training programs on such issues as reporting laws, sexual harassment, and professional boundaries for teachers. In addition, the Group has worked with a number of education clients on the issues specifically relating to the risks unique to summer programs. Should the need for litigation arise, our attorneys include some of the most experienced litigators in New England.

School Health Services is another area the Group advises on, including confidentiality issues, licensing, risk management, HIPAA, and regulatory compliance. The McLane Law Firm is an active member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), of the National School Boards Association (NSBA), and of the Independent School Association of Northern New England (ISANNE).

For further information on the Education and Private School Practice Group, contact one of our Education Attorneys at (603) 625-6464.