Saul Ewing LLP

Saul Ewing is a full-service, national law firm with more than 450 attorneys and a team of top-notch business professionals, all working together to deliver practical, proactive advice and excellent client service. Saul Ewing attorneys are well-versed in counseling independent K-12 schools. We advise them on a variety of matters, such as internal investigations; board governance; labor and employment; tax; policies; real estate; crisis management; disputes and litigation; student discipline; student housing; and academic, medical and disability accommodations. Our team regularly: - Advises and counsels private school boards on governance, endowment and investment issues. - Assists independent schools with all aspects of employee relations, including drafting and reviewing contracts, reviewing and revising employee handbooks/policies, advising on benefits and related issues, and defending schools in related litigation and administrative matters. - Drafts, reviews and updates school-wide policies, including student handbooks, discipline, sexual misconduct, student travel, and general releases and waivers. - Assists regarding compliance with applicable state and federal school laws, and handles compliance audits and government investigations. - Advises, and when necessary defends, schools on a multitude of student issues, including student discipline, student housing, mental health issues, accommodations and study abroad programs. - Reviews and advises schools on vendor contracts. - Handles a variety of tax matters for schools, including tax appeals, tax credits, and federal IRS 501(c)(3) requirements for tax-exempt status. - Advises on legal and public aspects of media relations when managing crises. - Represents schools on development and financing matters, including the purchase and/or lease of facilities, tax-exempt bond financing, partnerships with foundations, and loan guaranties. - Handles high-profile, in-the-media investigations into allegations of current or historic misconduct on campus.