FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2025

Former Department of Education Attorneys Launch Sligo Law Group to Support K–12 and Higher Education Clients Nationwide

Washington, D.C. - Former U.S. Department of Education attorneys are launching Sligo Law Group, PLLC, a boutique education law firm that aims to fill the gaps left by sweeping layoffs at the Department and an influx of new legislation, regulations, and administrative policies that have left schools and education partners reeling.

The three founding partners Emily Merolli, Jill Siegelbaum, and Josie Eskow Skinner (and three “Of Counsel” attorneys, also former Department lawyers) have decades of highly specialized expertise advising multiple presidential administrations on K–12 through higher education and beyond — the type of irreplaceable institutional knowledge that is being lost as thousands of career federal positions are cut. Sligo Law Group restores access to that federal education expertise by advising schools, local and state education agencies, advocacy groups, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders on education laws and policies.

“We came to the Department because we believe that equitable, accessible education is a fundamental right for students, and absolutely vital to a democracy,” said Ms. Skinner. “That didn’t change when we were laid off. Sligo Law Group is a way for us to keep supporting schools and agencies, especially now when the need is so urgent."

Sligo Law Group pulls its team from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of General Counsel, which recently lost approximately 85% of its employees. Ms. Merolli, who was with the Department for over twelve years, has extensive experience in developing education legislation, federal financial aid programs, civil rights and disability policy, oversight and accountability, and accreditation issues. Ms. Siegelbaum, a twenty-year veteran of the Department, was the Department’s lead attorney on business and administrative law, focusing on the federal education sector. Ms. Skinner worked at the Department for nearly eleven years advising on federal elementary and secondary education grants programs, and has worked closely on the intersection of federal education law and the First Amendment.

To learn more about Sligo Law Group and the team, please visit www.sligolawgroup.com

About Sligo Law Group, PLLC

Sligo Law Group blends unmatched technical expertise with a deep commitment to public service. The firm was established to meet the urgent legal needs of schools, educational agencies, and nonprofit organizations navigating a rapidly evolving federal education landscape.

Sligo Law Group provides legal services across five core practice areas:

  • Federal Grants: Legal support for securing, managing, and protecting federal education funding, including guidance on regulations, audits, and funding disputes.

  • K–12 Education: Advice on school operations, federal program compliance, emergency relief, and navigating oversight or appeals.

  • Higher Education: Support for colleges and universities on student aid programs, campus policies, accreditation, and federal requirements.

  • Civil Rights and Disability: Assistance with creating inclusive environments, responding to complaints, and meeting obligations under civil rights and disability laws.

  • Labor and Employment: Counsel on workplace issues, staff policies, dispute resolution, and employment-related legal matters.

The firm works with a wide range of clients, from state educational agencies, local school systems and higher education stakeholders, to advocacy groups and peer law firms, and offers flexible engagement models that include full representation, project-based consulting, co-counsel partnerships, and tailored trainings or legal briefings.

A Mission-Aligned, Client-Centered Approach

Sligo Law Group is committed to advancing equity, integrity, and compliance in education. Its unique structure allows for nimble, creative, and cost-effective legal solutions, grounded in deep federal experience and aligned with each client's mission.

Contact

Sligo Law Group, PLLC

📞 (202) 888‑2084
✉️ press@sligolawgroup.com
🌐 www.sligolawgroup.com
🏛️ 1717 K St. NW, suite 900, Washington, DC 20006