Academic Institutions

Musick Peeler has broad experience in the representation of universities, colleges, community college districts, charter schools, museums and other educational institutions. 

The firm is adept at handling the distinct issues unique to academia, including accreditation, affiliation agreements with training entities, facility construction, bonds and other forms of public finance, campus safety, Head Start Delegate agency matters, and concerns about student and faculty relations with the institution. The attorneys in the Academic Institutions Group freely access the expertise of the firm's many practice groups to assist clients in the areas of:

Tax, Trusts, & Estates

The firm's attorneys are knowledgeable about the tax-exempt status of educational institutions, including financing and planned giving, maintenance of non-profit status, investment issues, and the tax consequences of donations.

Corporate Matters

Musick Peeler has represented its academic clients in all type of corporate and transactional matters, including contract negotiations, technology transfers, and business ventures undertaken by institutions.

Labor & Employment

Labor & Employment attorneys work with clients to resolve such matters as collective bargaining, faculty tenure, employment and promotion, wrongful termination, discrimination, wage matters, contract negotiations with administrators, and student disciplinary matters.

Real Estate

Musick Peeler is skilled in the real estate issues that affect universities, colleges and other academic organizations such as expansion projects, environmental impact concerns, faculty lease agreements, landlord-tenant disputes and real estate-related Headstart Delegate Agency matters.

Litigation

Musick Peeler has successfully represented academic institutions in a broad spectrum of litigation matters, including tort claims initiated by students, faculty and staff, defamation and academic privacy claims, as well as claims arising from commercial, construction, academic and labor disputes.

Charter Schools

Musick Peeler focuses on representing charter schools and charter management organizations in all aspects of their operations, including formation, application and maintenance of tax-exempt and non-profit status, corporate governance, bonds and other forms of public and private financing, grants, real estate acquisitions, leasing transactions, facility construction, environmental impact concerns, labor and employment matters, tort claims by students, faculty, and staff, and claims arising from commercial, construction, and academic disputes.