Our attorneys are deeply attuned to the rigors and idiosyncrasies of accreditation, having worked with both programmatic and institutional accreditors on a regional and national basis. We have guided institutions through all phases of the accreditation process, from applications for initial accreditation to the renewal of accreditation. Our attorneys have worked closely with faculty and staff to prepare self-studies and related submissions and to ready campus personnel and facilities for site visits.
We counsel institutions on the full range of accreditor actions, such as show cause, probation, and the removal of accreditation, and represent institutions challenging accreditor actions in state or federal court.
Our attorneys also advise institutions on changes to accreditation standards and criteria, assist in the preparation and submission of responses to student and employee complaints, and aid in crafting various submissions and reports (e.g., outcomes, financial capability, significant growth). We also draft and negotiate a wide range of agreements in compliance with applicable accrediting standards, including domestic and international articulation, consortium, licensing, marketing, and partnership contracts.
ED’s Proposed Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment Rule
Safeguarding the Data and Your Compliance Program – USED and GLBA
A review of ED’s new third-party servicer guidance and suggestions for public comment
The Higher Education Regulatory Outlook for 2023
ED’s Proposed Borrower Defense to Repayment Rule: A Detailed Examination
ED’s New Title IX Rule: A Careful Review and Suggestions for Public Comment
ED’s Increased Scrutiny of College Contracts with Online Program Managers
Responding to Student Borrower Defense to Repayment (BDR) Claims
The Higher Education Regulatory Outlook for 2022
The Revised FTC Safeguards Rule - What It Means and Why It Is More Important Than You Might Think
Best Practices and Risk Considerations Relating to Summer Camps on Campus
Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccines in Postsecondary Education
Postsecondary Institutions: Business Considerations
Examining ED’s Incentive Compensation Rule
Higher Education Transactions: Valuation & Structure
CMMC and 800-171 in Government Contracting and Higher Education
The Regulatory Outlook for Higher Education
Protecting the Ever-Increasing Endpoints in Higher Education
Analyzing ED’s New Distance Education Rule
Title IX Module 6: Title IX Appeals
Title IX Module 5: Title IX Determinations
Title IX Module 4: Title IX Hearings
Title IX Module 3: Title IX Investigations & Informal Resolutions
Title IX Module 2: Formal Complaints of Title IX Sexual Harassment
Title IX Module 1: An Introduction to Managing Title IX Sexual Harassment on Campus
Getting Ready for USED’s New Student Disclosure Requirements
USED’s New Title IX Rule: A Detailed Examination
The CARES Act for Higher Education: Strategy and Implementation
Contingency Planning for Distressed Institutions of Higher Education
Higher Education & Immigration: Five Evolving Areas to Watch
Recent Court Decisions in Student Disputes That You Should Know About
A Year-End Roundup of USED Rulemaking Activity
Merging Institutions of Higher Education: Corporate and Tax Considerations
An Examination of ED's New Borrower Defense Rule: The Borrower Defense Claim Process
Colleges Held for Ransom: Responding to a Ransomware Attack
Examining the USED Approval Process for Higher Ed Mergers and Acquisitions
A Midsummer Update on USED Rulemaking Activity
Charitable Giving for Institutions of Higher Education
Advertising and Communications for Institutions of Higher Education
Intellectual Property Primer for Higher Ed Institutions
Guidance on Borrower Defense Regulations
USED’s Proposed Title IX Rules: A Detailed Examination
Mergers and Acquisitions in Higher Education: Key Points of the Letter of Intent
Minimizing Litigation Risk As To Student-Related Disputes
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Borrower Defense
Disclosure Requirements for Online and Distance Professional Licensure Programs
Borrower Defense Rule: Negotiated Rulemaking Session 3
Borrower Defense Rule: Negotiated Rulemaking Session 2
Borrower Defense Rule: Negotiated Rulemaking Session 1
Gainful Employment Disclosures and Student Warnings
New Audit Guidelines for Higher Educational Institutions
Final Borrower Defense Rule Webinar Series
Borrower Defense Rule Webinar Series
Gainful Employment Webinar Series
National Policy Perspectives on Cybersecurity
ED's new rule to decide and disclose the “financial value” of every Title IV program at every school
90/10 rule compliance strategies and considerations for proprietary institutions of higher education
ED further delays third-party servicer guidance, clarifies significant policies
FSA issues GLBA Safeguards Rule guidance
Title IX update: Important new ED guidance concerning pregnancy
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau tells institutional lenders to cease withholding transcripts
Compromise and Settlement Authority
Department of Education proposes sweeping revisions to Borrower Defense to Repayment rule
Department of Education agrees to mass granting of BDR applications to settle lawsuit
EEOC issues new guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations in the workplace
A look at recent student athlete name, image and likeness legislation
JD Supra names Aaron Lacey a 2023 Readers’ Choice Top Author for Education
Jim Shreve talks cybersecurity and higher education with University Business
Thompson Coburn client Charles Rice wins 2020 Nobel Prize for Hepatitis C Virus discoveries
Claire Schenk imparts life (and rock climbing) advice in UMSL commencement speech
Bob Wallace launches sports podcast After the Buzzer
Bill Bay elected chair of the ABA House of Delegates
Higher ed webinar series provides insider’s look at borrower defense rulemaking
Bill Bay receives Spurgeon Smithson award
Rhonda Thomas listed in Crain’s Chicago Business among ‘Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago’
Bill Bay to receive Distinguished Lawyer Award at 2017 Law Day festivities
Rhonda Thomas to receive the University of Missouri School of Law Citation of Merit Award
Emily Wang Murphy appointed to Lawyers Have Heart board
Bill Bay named a 2016 ‘Excellence in Law’ award winner by St. Louis Magazine
Congratulations to our 2017 ‘Lawyers of the Year’
Thompson Coburn's lobbying group honored as among the top in the nation
Bill Bay elected to American Law Institute’s class of 2016
Webinar series to help higher ed navigate gainful employment regulations
Thompson Coburn earns corporate counsel recommendations five years running in national report
Aaron Lacey, Chris Murray author paper on regulatory hurdles for competency-based education
U.S. Olympic Committee appoints Ken Salomon to ethics committee
Tom Minogue named chair of University of Missouri-St. Louis board
Lori Jones elected to American College of Employee Benefit Counsel
Rightsizing the Right Way: Restructuring and Realignment in Higher Education
Chris Murray named to National Law Journal’s '40 under 40'
University of Missouri refinances $300 million in outstanding bonds
UMSL Research & Innovation Week to feature Tom Schlafly presentation
Steve Ritchey publishes article on patent basics for American Ceramic Society
Higher education attorney Aaron D. Lacey joins Thompson Coburn
Bob Wallace article: What’s acceptable behavior in the sports workplace?
Tom Minogue speaks at UMSL's 50th anniversary dinner
Ouster of Rutgers coach, athletic director highlights risks for universities
Lobbying & Policy group revs up with first three clients
Thompson Coburn launches new bipartisan Lobbying & Policy group in Washington, D.C.
Partner
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St. Louis
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Bill represents major corporations in high-stakes litigation in state and federal courts across the country. Bill represents major corporations in high-stakes litigation in state and f... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Ed serves as a key tax advisor to companies embarking on any type of corporate restructuring, from acquisitions and dispositions to spinoffs and management changes. Ed serves as a key tax advisor to companies embarking on any type of corpor... |
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Associate
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St. Louis
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With previous experience in higher education and secondary school administration and a master's degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education, Stephanie is keenly awar... With previous experience in higher education and secondary school administr... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Jeff helps all types of businesses navigate complex litigation, arbitration, class action, regulatory, and transactional matters in venues across the country. Jeff helps all types of businesses navigate complex litigation, arbitration... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Garrett counsels banks, financial institutions and other businesses on a variety of tax credit, commercial transaction and regulatory issues. Garrett counsels banks, financial institutions and other businesses on a va... |
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Senior Counsel
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St. Louis
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Dean has extensive first chair trial experience, limiting his practice to intellectual property and commercial litigation. Dean has extensive first chair trial experience, limiting his practice to i... |
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Partner
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Washington, D.C.
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A former deputy general counsel for a private university, Scott understands the unique challenges that our higher education clients face and how to best help them achieve... A former deputy general counsel for a private university, Scott understands... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Ed is a veteran litigator and head of the Firm's Antitrust Practice Group. Ed is a veteran litigator and head of the Firm's Antitrust Practice Group. |
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Associate
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St. Louis
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Eric is an associate in the Firm's business litigation and higher education groups. Eric is an associate in the Firm's business litigation and higher education... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Chris leads complex litigation and class action defense for a host of major corporations in the financial services and agriculture industries. Chris leads complex litigation and class action defense for a host of major... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Larry practices in the Firm's private client services area and is a frequent speaker around the country to professional groups. Larry practices in the Firm's private client services area and is a frequen... |
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Partner
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Chicago
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David is Co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate and Securities Practice Group. David is Co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate and Securities Practice Group. |
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Senior Counsel
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St. Louis
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Sara is a trusted legal advisor to public entities, nonprofit borrowers, investment bankers and bankers in a wide variety of public financing and lending transactions. Sara is a trusted legal advisor to public entities, nonprofit borrowers, in... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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The Chair of Thompson Coburn's Higher Education Practice, Aaron assists institutions to navigate a wide range of complex legal and regulatory matters. The Chair of Thompson Coburn's Higher Education Practice, Aaron assists ins... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Mike focuses his legal practice on public finance, corporate law, business transactions, governmental and nonprofit law. Mike focuses his legal practice on public finance, corporate law, business ... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Rick advises companies and individuals on a variety of federal (domestic and international), state and local tax matters. Rick advises companies and individuals on a variety of federal (domestic an... |
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Partner
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Chicago
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Susan is a highly experienced employment law attorney who serves as a seamless extension of her clients' HR and in-house legal teams. Susan is a highly experienced employment law attorney who serves as a seaml... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Sonette is a highly experienced litigator and business advisor who counsels corporate clients on all phases of commercial litigation in state and federal courts throughou... Sonette is a highly experienced litigator and business advisor who counsels... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Steve serves as a trusted advisor to financial institutions engaged in all types of public finance and lending transactions. Steve serves as a trusted advisor to financial institutions engaged in all ... |
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Partner
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Washington, D.C.
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Clients have consistently praised Emily for her "practical, common sense solutions" and "natural instincts" for deal flow. Clients have consistently praised Emily for her "practical, common sense so... |
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Partner
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Washington, D.C.
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Chris came to Washington to attend college and has been at the intersection of politics and education ever since. Chris came to Washington to attend college and has been at the intersection... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Chuck is a creative and highly efficient employment litigator and advisor to private and public sector employers across a wide spectrum of industries. Chuck is a creative and highly efficient employment litigator and advisor t... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Ali is experienced in various types of tax-exempt and taxable financings as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, issuer's counsel, disclosure counsel and bank counsel. Ali is experienced in various types of tax-exempt and taxable financings as... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Steve advises clients on domestic and international patent applications and provides comprehensive counsel on licensing and technology transfer. Steve advises clients on domestic and international patent applications and... |
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Partner
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Washington, D.C.
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Jayna advises companies, transportation authorities, educational institutions, and other entities regarding their rights and obligations when doing business with (or rece... Jayna advises companies, transportation authorities, educational institutio... |
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Partner
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Washington, D.C.
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Ken has spent his entire legal career in the public and private sectors in Washington, DC and has a thorough understanding and appreciation of how lobbying can advance cl... Ken has spent his entire legal career in the public and private sectors in ... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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Kristen litigates complex commercial disputes and class actions for clients across the country. Kristen litigates complex commercial disputes and class actions for clients... |
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Senior Counsel
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St. Louis
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Linda advises companies that provide goods or services to the federal government; she also has extensive experience in business immigration matters. Linda advises companies that provide goods or services to the federal gover... |
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Associate
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Chicago
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Kayla brings a keen insight to assess corporate transactions from an analytical and economic perspective. Kayla brings a keen insight to assess corporate transactions from an analyt... |
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Partner
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Chicago
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Rhonda is a public finance attorney who leads complex, large-scale projects for public- and private-sector clients across the country. Rhonda is a public finance attorney who leads complex, large-scale projects... |
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Partner
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St. Louis
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As chairman of the Firm's Sports Law Group, Bob represents teams, prospective buyers of sports teams, companies interested in sports marketing and civic and government en... As chairman of the Firm's Sports Law Group, Bob represents teams, prospecti... |
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Associate
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Washington, D.C.
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Throughout her career, Hope has always found ways to help public institutions achieve their goals. Throughout her career, Hope has always found ways to help public institutio... |
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Counsel
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Washington, D.C.
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Katie handles a wide variety of regulatory and transactional work for the nonprofit and for-profit higher education sector, including online education programs, and has e... Katie handles a wide variety of regulatory and transactional work for the n... |
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NOTICE.
Although we would like to hear from you, we cannot represent you until we know that
doing so will not create a conflict of interest. Also, we cannot treat unsolicited
information as confidential. Accordingly, please do not send us any information
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By clicking the ‘ACCEPT’ button, you agree that we may review any information you transmit to us. You recognize that our review of your information, even if you submitted it in a good faith effort to retain us, and, further, even if you consider it confidential, does not preclude us from representing another client directly adverse to you, even in a matter where that information could and will be used against you. Please click the ‘ACCEPT’ button if you understand and accept the foregoing statement and wish to proceed.