Practice Areas

Securing and managing federal education grants requires more than strong program design — it requires a compliance strategy that can withstand federal review. At Sligo Law Group, our attorneys bring decades of experience inside the U.S. Department of Education advising on state-administered formula and discretionary grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA/ESSA), Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and Higher Education Act (HEA).

We counsel clients on the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR), Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), and related federal rules that govern allowability of costs, indirect cost recovery, procurement, and time and effort reporting. Our team provides practical legal guidance on audits, monitoring, cost allocation, suspension and debarment, enforcement actions, and grant closeout. We also represent grantees in appeals and challenges to grant terminations or disallowances.

Whether you are a state agency, school district, charter network, nonprofit, or higher education institution, we help you minimize compliance risks, protect critical funding, and respond effectively to oversight by the Department of Education, the Office of Inspector General, and other federal entities.

Public and private schools today face an increasingly complex federal compliance landscape. Our team draws on decades of federal experience to guide schools, school districts, state agencies, and nonprofits through the statutes and regulations that govern preschool, elementary, secondary, adult, and career and technical education.

We provide comprehensive counsel on legal requirements in statutes such as the:

• Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA)
• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
• Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (Perkins IV)
• Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA)
• Education Flexibility Partnership Act of 1999
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

We also advise on student privacy, equitable services to private school students and teachers, charter school laws, school choice, voucher programs, civil rights obligations, and equity in access to high-quality education. Our attorneys represent clients in federal and state audits, administrative appeals, and program reviews, as well as in the development of policies and procedures that ensure compliance while supporting educational mission.

From designing proactive compliance strategies to defending funding in enforcement proceedings, Sligo Law Group provides the expertise schools need to navigate daily operational challenges and protect their long-term educational priorities.

Colleges and universities operate under intense regulatory and accreditation pressures. At Sligo Law Group, our Higher Education Law practice helps institutions navigate the Higher Education Act (HEA), Title IV student aid programs, accreditation standards, and federal oversight processes.

We advise on issues including financial aid program integrity, Clery Act and campus safety compliance, student conduct matters, disability accommodations under Section 504 and the ADA, Title IX investigations, student privacy under FERPA, and foreign gift reporting. Our attorneys also guide institutions through accreditation site visits, NACIQI proceedings, and Department of Education program reviews.

Our team brings insider perspective from decades at the U.S. Department of Education, enabling us to anticipate agency priorities and provide practical solutions. We support institutions in responding to findings, appealing adverse determinations, resolving investigations, and developing sustainable compliance systems. Whether your institution needs proactive compliance strategies, representation in enforcement actions, or support in policy development, Sligo Law Group delivers tailored legal counsel to safeguard your programs and reputation.

Equitable access is a core principle of federal education law, and our attorneys are nationally recognized for their work in civil rights and disability compliance. We represent schools, colleges, and education agencies in ensuring compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX, Section 504, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Our team provides legal support in Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigations, Title IX policy development and investigations, disability accommodations, and systemic equity initiatives. We help institutions develop nondiscrimination policies, training programs, and holistic investigation procedures that meet federal requirements while fostering inclusive environments.

We also assist advocacy organizations and community groups in advancing systemic change through litigation support, compliance reviews, and policy development. Whether addressing student complaints, campus accessibility, or complex investigations, we provide responsive, trauma-informed, and legally sound solutions that promote equity and compliance.

Educational institutions face unique labor and employment challenges that intersect with federal law. Sligo Law Group’s Labor and Employment practice helps schools, districts, and states manage workforce issues while reducing legal risk.

We advise on Title VII discrimination claims, workplace investigations, employee discipline, performance management, and collective bargaining with teachers and staff unions. Our attorneys represent clients in unfair labor practice proceedings, labor negotiations, grievance resolution, and employment litigation.

Beyond dispute resolution, we help institutions design workplace policies and procedures that comply with federal and state requirements while supporting effective operations. Our attorneys also advise on whistleblower protections, retaliation claims, disability accommodations, and workplace equity initiatives.

By combining extensive backgrounds in labor and employment law with deep knowledge of the education sector, we deliver legal strategies that help institutions build fair, compliant, and resilient workplaces. From policy drafting to courtroom representation, we provide comprehensive labor and employment support tailored to education clients.