Melissa Carleton

I advise colleges, universities, and other educational entities. In some situations, I act as legal counsel. In other situations, I am a neutral investigator or hearing officer. I also do training and consulting work. As an attorney, I work as general counsel with respect to matters ranging from student issues, such as student conduct and disability disputes, to management issues, such as governance, employment matters, policies and contracts. I particularly enjoy working on unique collaborative matters between educational entities. I am admitted to practice in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. Civil Rights and Title IX compliance are hot topics due to the complex nature of the cases and the recent changes in OCR enforcement. I work with institutions to create policies and procedures that work for their communities. I regularly train investigators, decision-makers, informal resolution facilitators, advisors, appeals officers, and coordinators on how to implement their processes thoughtfully, equitably, and in a way that helps participants feel heard. I conduct independent investigations and hearings for both K-12 and higher education. I also consult with institutions of higher education to complete implementation and compliance reviews. I have a special interest in FERPA compliance, from both a legal and academic perspective. I have experience assisting religious organizations and nonprofits in addressing reports of sexual misconduct in a way that is consistent with both their legal obligations and their values. I love engaging on academic projects and guest speaking for college classes, especially for law schools. Don't hesitate to ask! Please note: I do not represent students, parents, staff, or faculty members against their educational institutions.