Husch Blackwell LLP

Lauded for being ‘an essential resource for any higher education institution’, the group at Husch Blackwell LLP has a deep bench of specialists operating in the full gamut of regulatory, contentious and transactional education mandates. The team’s key strengths include handling sensitive compliance reviews, high-profile investigations and transactions such as change of control processes involving mergers, acquisitions and divestitures. Co-leading the team from Kansas City, Hayley Hanson is relied upon by private and public universities and colleges, major research institutions and academic medical centers. Also in Kansas City, team lead Sean Tassi provides clients with day-to-day counseling on federal and state regulations and online offerings. Leading the group’s accreditor practice, Chicago-based Julie Miceli has carved out a strong niche supporting accreditors navigating the revision of accrediting standards with respect to their diversity, equity and inclusion goals and regulations. Another integral member of the firm’s Chicago office is Lisa Parker who routinely represents higher education institutions in litigation before trial and appellate courts.