Robinson+Cole regularly serves as outside counsel to large universities, midsize colleges and independent schools, providing investigatory, advisory, transactional, and litigation services to meet the needs that are unique to educational institutions. We provide legal services in a broad range of practice areas that shape the student, faculty and administrator experience.

Complete Service
The issues faced by our education clients are as diverse and complex as the members of their communities, from governance and administration to employees and students. Drawing upon the collective experience of every practice group Robinson+Cole has to offer, our Education Group brings a collaborative approach to solving these problems. Schools face many challenges amid dwindling resources, and we provide clear, practical guidance to help them achieve their mission.

Decisions in one area often cause ripples elsewhere that can disrupt the equilibrium of an institution. Our lawyers know this, and they work together and with clients to assess risk and provide practical solutions. When necessary, our attorneys guide clients through processes to resolve disputes early and efficiently. If early resolution is not possible, we are prepared to pursue a resolution in any forum, including litigation. Our firm has a wide range of experience in practice areas that educational institutions require:
•    construction, environmental, land use, and real estate
•    employment counseling and training
•    workplace investigations  
•    labor relations including collective bargaining and union avoidance
•    employee benefits and  executive compensation including advice on 403(b) and 457(b) and (f) programs, 4960 excise tax issues and fringe benefit programs
•    governance 
•    tax and tax-exempt advice, planning and counseling
•    immigration compliance and nonimmigrant petitions and applications
•    intellectual property
•    planned giving and fundraising
•    bonds and finance
•    public safety and campus security
•    sourcing and outsourcing
•    student affairs

Mission Awareness
Our lawyers closely monitor developments in the education sector. We maintain active membership in, attend and present at national and regional conferences for leading organizations such as the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the Higher Education Real Estate Lawyers, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, and the Licensing Executive Society.
Robinson+Cole offers clients personal attention, responsiveness, cost efficiency, and creative, alternative approaches to fees.