Our attorneys understand the challenges facing school systems, including complicated personnel decisions, government-mandated initiatives, special education issues, student disciplinary issues, contract reviews, school construction/bidding issues, policy drafting, FOIA requests and financing needs.
We also understand the financial constraints on school systems, especially when faced with litigation and employee grievances. We seek to avoid these when possible, being pro-active in the services we provide. We draw on our experience to guide clients to a thorough and efficient resolution that accomplishes their objectives.
Our team features attorneys who are uniquely qualified in the education field, having backgrounds and experience as educators, a central office administrator and a West Virginia Public Employee Grievance Board administrative law judge. Utilizing our insight, we offer in-service training and consultation programs, helping clients identify risks and avoid issues before they surface. We offer counseling and workshops in a variety of areas, including employee code of conduct, ethical issues, child abuse, sexual harassment, purchasing procedures and board-employee relations, leaning on our experience to tailor an approach to fit your needs.
Additionally, our Public Finance attorneys serve as bond counsel to hundreds of city, local, exempted village and independent school districts, helping them finance building projects, as well as refinancing and working capital needs.
Of particular note, our attorneys serve as counsel to the Cincinnati (Ohio) City School District and the Columbus (Ohio) City School District. We are experienced in preparing bond proceedings for voted bond issues and tax levies, as well as working with governmental agencies, such as the Ohio School Facilities Commission and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission in conjunction with the administration of state-assistance programs, such as the Ohio Expedited Partnership Program (ELPP) or the Classroom Facilities Assistance Program (CFAP). Our attorneys are also experienced in preparing and reviewing different types of financing documentation, such as certificates of participation, lease-purchase obligations, installment purchase contracts, energy performance contracts and other contractual agreements.
Our attorneys have experience handling financing transactions for a variety of educational facilities, including both public and private K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities. We have a thorough understanding of the unique regulations that accompany the financing of an educational facility, and we’re adept at working with our clients to structure the transaction to fit their needs.
In West Virginia, we represent many of the 55-county school systems. In addition, we have represented Regis Jesuit High School (Colorado), Valor Christian High School (Colorado), St. Mary’s Academy (Colorado), Denver Christian Schools (Colorado), Chaminade High School (New York), St. Francis High School (California), St. Mary’s School (Wyoming), and Xavier College Preparatory High School (California).
We also have experience representing a wide variety of college and universities in financing transactions, including The Ohio State University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, Ohio University, Miami University and the University of Cincinnati, as well as smaller schools such as Wheeling Jesuit, Chatham University, Transylvania University, Regis University, Colorado Christian University, and California Baptist University.
We have extensive experience with all varieties of financings in the education realm and have worked with both public and private schools at all levels. Often, we are called on to work with faith-based institutions due to our experience in the First Amendment issues pertaining to bond financing. Our familiarity with the unique components surrounding each type of institution enables us to provide comprehensive legal advice to fit each client’s needs.
Our commitment to understanding our client’s culture is the foundation for building our partnership, and our counsel and legal acumen allows you to move forward confidently in the constantly evolving world of education.
