Our blog authors are members of Franczek’s K-12 and Higher Education Practice Groups with a special passion for Title IX issues.
Amy Kosanovich Dickerson: Having practiced in the field of education law for over a decade, Amy has focused a significant part of her education law practice on counseling, training, and representing public and private K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities, in Title IX-related issues. Amy has represented clients in all phases of the OCR complaint process regarding Title IX compliance, as well as in federal and state court litigation, and frequently reviews school policies, procedure and protocols to ensure compliance with Title IX and related federal and state laws. Using her experience and knowledge of the various state and federal laws impacting higher education institutions and K-12 schools’ responses to sexual harassment and violence, Amy regularly assists Title IX Coordinators and school administrators with responding to reports of sexual harassment or violence, from providing counseling through the various steps of the investigation process to advising on nuanced issues. Amy also frequently presents on Title IX issues and conducts trainings for Title IX Coordinators and investigators regarding all phases of the complaint and compliance process.
Emily Tulloch: Emily’s appreciation for the importance of Title IX began during her time as a college athlete; she was the Captain of the varsity volleyball team at Washington University in St. Louis. Emily built on that experience during law school, where she earned a certificate in Child and Family Law and served as president of the Education Law & Policy Society. Now, as an education lawyer, she uses her passion to advise and represent clients facing complaints or administrative charges relating to harassment and discrimination, including those involving sexual harassment and violence and athletics issues.
Jennifer Smith: Jennifer is Co-Chair of the firm’s K-12 and Higher Education Practice Groups. Jennifer’s practice involves representing education institutions on a wide range of issues. She has extensive experience in representing higher education institutions and school districts in civil rights investigations and litigation. Jennifer has experience with sensitive internal investigations and audits for higher education institutions and school districts. Jennifer has litigation and trial experience before state and federal courts, and numerous administrative agencies. She has presented numerous Title IX presentations and has delivered several trainings to Higher Education K-12 Education institutions.
Kaitlin Atlas: Kaitlin concentrates her practice on student, special education, and Title IX related issues arising in both the public and private school sectors. Kaitlin regularly works with clients on due process matters, student discipline matters, and developing policies and procedures. Kaitlin enjoys proactively counseling clients to maintain compliance with state and federal laws. She is an active member of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys and the National Council of School Attorneys. She is a frequent speaker at the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education, the Joint Annual Conference, and at school districts throughout the state. Kaitlin also regularly serves as a guest lecturer for school law classes.
Jenny Lee: Jenny focuses her practice on education law, advising and representing higher education and K-12 clients in a wide range of student, labor and employment, governance, and federal and state compliance matters. She has extensive experience in Title IX, civil rights, discrimination and harassment investigations, student and employee discipline, school safety and student mental health, policy development and review, curriculum, tenure, and due process issues. Jenny comes to Franczek with over a decade of experience in higher education teaching and administration. Prior to Franczek, Jenny was an English and Humanities professor and a Title IX administrator, serving as Title IX Deputy Coordinator, investigator, decision maker, and informal resolution facilitator and overseeing and conducting investigations and trainings for college leadership and students.
John Swinney: John’s practice includes representing public and private-sector employers, K-12 public schools, charter schools, and colleges and universities on a variety of employment matters including discrimination claims, leave laws, accommodations, as well as education matters including Title IX, special education, curriculum requirements, and student discipline.
Kristen Kinast: Kristen’s represents and advises school districts, higher education institutions, and other private and public sector clients on a variety of education and employment law matters, with a focus on student and special education issues. Kristen’s practice includes student discipline, special education matters, labor and employment matters, and policy development. Kristen is an active member of the Illinois Council of School Attorneys and the National Council of School Attorneys. Kristen strives to create strong relationships with clients in order to best serve their needs.
Eliza Kaye: Eliza’s practice includes advising and representing clients in both the public and private sectors in a wide range of education, labor, and employment matters. In her practice, Eliza handles issues related to discrimination and harassment claims, employee discipline and dismissal, collective bargaining, policy development, student due process matters, student discipline, residency, and Title IX. Eliza has represented clients in litigation matters and in administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office of Civil Rights, Office of the Attorney General, Illinois Department of Human Rights, and Illinois State Board of Education. Eliza also has experience with a variety of board governance matters, including contract review, Freedom of Information Act, and Open Meetings Act concerns. Eliza is admitted to practice law in Illinois and New York.
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Nicki Bazer |
Dana Fattore Crumley
Mike Hernandez
Caroline Kane |
Bill Pokorny
Sally Scott |
