Experience

Patent Portfolio Strategy for University Covering Science, Engineering and Medical Fields

Developed and executed patent filing strategy and managed diverse patent portfolio for a large university client. Technologies span various subject areas including science, engineering and medical fields.

Summary Judgment in Employment Discrimination Case

Secured summary judgment in the Circuit Court of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, for a university client in a heavily contested employment discrimination case. A former university coach claimed she was discriminated against based on gender stereotyping and implicit bias. Following numerous depositions and testimony from expert witnesses on both sides, the Court granted summary judgment for the university on all counts.

Summary Judgment for Higher Education Client on MHRA Claims

Obtained summary judgment for a higher education client on Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA) claims in state court where the claims were based on gender and race discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment and retaliation.

Investigated, Counseled and Presented on Topics Related to Title IX

Conducted investigations concerning alleged violations of Title IX. Assisted in drafting, revising and advising on Title IX policies, and presented trainings to prepare higher education staff to conduct Title IX investigations.

Patent Portfolio Strategy for University Covering Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences and Medical Fields

Developed and executed patent filing strategy and managed diverse patent portfolio for a large university client. Technologies span various subject areas including pharmaceuticals, life sciences and medical fields.

$46.6 Million Bond Financing for University

Served as bond counsel in a $46,690,000 bond financing for a university, in which the bonds were issued to refinance the university's educational facilities.

Defense Verdict for University System in Four-Day Wage and Hour Trial

Secured a defense verdict for a for-profit university system in a four-day trial on a wage and hour claim under the Fair Labor Standards Act in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

Won Contested Arbitration with Teacher’s Union

Won contested labor arbitration involving the teacher's union.

M&A Counsel to Private Liberal Arts College

Represented a private liberal arts college in the acquisition of a fine arts museum and its collections valued in excess of $100 million.

Resolution of Overpayment Claims for Higher Ed Institution

Worked with a higher education institution on resolving alleged overpayment claims by commercial third-party payors related to athletic trainer service.

Risk Assessment and Planning for Dental School Opening

Advised client on risks associated with various business models pertaining to the opening of a dental clinic for its new dental school.

Drafted IP Agreements for University

Evaluated and drafted IP licensing agreements, research and collaboration agreements and material transfer agreements for a large U.S. university.

Advised University on Inventorship Determination in Dispute

Advised a large U.S. university regarding inventorship determination in a disputed matter with a collaborating university.

Successfully Defended College in Discrimination Case Before the EEOC

Successfully defended EEOC charges alleging race and gender discrimination on behalf of private liberal arts college.

Counsel on Early Retirement Offers for Professors, Staff

Counseled private liberal arts college regarding early retirement offers for professors and staff.

Ongoing Title IX Counsel for Liberal Arts College

Provided ongoing counsel to liberal arts college in Title IX investigations and issues.

Trial Counsel in $240 Million Suit for College Brought By Colorado Attorney General

Served as counsel in a first-of-its-kind, five-day preliminary injunction hearing, winning a complete victory for a large career college, in which the Colorado Attorney General’s office sought 21 separate, broad injunctions. Subsequently tried a four-week bench trial against consumer protection and lending claims where the Colorado Attorney General sought $240 million. The decision limited the State’s relief to $3 million, which was reversed and remanded by the Court of Appeals.

Dismissal of Wrongful Termination Suit for University

Obtained dismissal of lawsuit brought in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri by the former employee of a university, who claimed wrongful termination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Missouri Human Rights Act.

Reversed Trial Court Decision on Appeal for For-Profit College

Represented for-profit college system in a wide-ranging consumer protection investigation brought by the Colorado Attorney General. Convinced the Colorado Court of Appeals to reverse a trial court decision that would have prevented the college from disclosing graduate employment statistics in accordance with accreditation standards. This ensured the college could present data on par with other colleges and universities.

Summary Judgment for University in Mass Arbitration

Won summary judgment in favor of a private university in a mass arbitration brought by students claiming that the school had defrauded them into enrolling and withholding material information about the value of degrees awarded by the university.

Reduced Financial Aid Liability for University

Represented a private university in the appeal of a United States Department of Education program review. The school had been ordered to refund over $500,000 due to problems found by the Department of Education in how the university verified student income and eligibility for financial aid. We drafted an appeal requesting that the department reduce the refund liability by $133,000 and grant the university an administrative hearing. The department accepted the appeal without hearing and agreed to the reduction in liability.

Structured Multimillion-Dollar, Multi-Year Sponsored Research Program and Joint Venture for Health Care Client

Structured a multimillion-dollar, multi-year sponsored research program and related joint venture between a health care client and a leading research university. Structured budgeting and oversight mechanisms for research funding; structured LLC joint venture (JV) entity and related governance matters; completed licensing agreements and conducted analysis related to JV intellectual property ownership; all enabling future commercialization of intellectual property developed from funded research.

Representation of Higher Education Institution in Development of Training, Reporting Procedures

Represented higher education institution in development of training and reporting procedures related to Title IX sexual assault misconduct policies.

Contract Review for Liberal Arts College

Reviewed vendor contracts for private liberal arts college, including food service agreements, cable television agreements, campus maintenance agreements and telephone systems agreements.

Filed University's First Ever Patent Applications

Filed the first ever patent applications for a university client. Worked with the university to create and implement internal intellectual property procedures for the client.

Prosecuted Patent Applications for Large University Client

Drafted and prosecuted patent applications relating to medical imaging technologies including CT, MRI, optical tomography and image processing.

Pharmaceutical Patent Portfolio for University

Managed pharmaceutical patent portfolio that includes filings in over 16 different countries. Worked with university and licensee on achieving patent protection worldwide.

Patent Preparation and Prosecution for Leading-Edge Technologies

Prepared and prosecuted patent applications on leading-edge technologies developed by research institutes, including new imaging and diagnostic methodologies for detecting diseases and monitoring treatment progresses.