This program is eligible for 2 hours of CLE credit in 60-minute states. In 50-minute states, this program is eligible for 2.4 hours of CLE credit. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.
Overview
In today’s dynamic campus environments, the tension between academic freedom and free speech is more relevant than ever. Discover how universities are navigating this critical balance, fostering open dialogue while addressing concerns about censorship and inclusivity. Stay informed about the latest Title IX regulations and their profound impact on how colleges and universities address sexual harassment and assault. Understand the new frameworks that prioritize due process and protect the rights of all individuals involved, reshaping campus safety and accountability. Delve into the implications of the landmark Students for Fair Admissions case as the Supreme Court reconsiders affirmative action in college admissions. Explore how this ruling could transform diversity initiatives and redefine access to higher education for future generations.
Recorded in March 2025.
Faculty
Michael E. Baughman, Esq.
Mr. Baughman is a partner with Pepper Hamilton LLP, resident in the Philadelphia office. He has extensive experience litigating complex commercial disputes in jurisdictions throughout the United States. Mr. Baughman represents colleges, universities and other educational institutions in providing counseling, litigation and investigative services for the unique challenges that face institutions of higher learning. Mr. Baughman has defended numerous lawsuits brought against colleges and universities, in a number of different contexts. He has also represented institutions in investigations relating to complaints filed with the United States Department of Education. Mr. Baughman has provided extensive advice on compliance with the federal Clery Act, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other federal and state laws that apply to educational institutions. He has provided counseling and advice on drafting and complying with policies and procedures dealing with Title IX of the amendments to the Higher Education Act and the Department of Education’s April 2011 “Dear Colleague Letter.” Mr. Baughman also has provided extensive advice on student conduct policies and proceedings and faculty disputes. From 1996 until 1997 he served as law clerk to the Hon. William H. Yohn, Jr., U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Before joining Pepper, Mr. Baughman was a partner at Dechert LLP. He received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Cornell University and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Riley H. Ross III, Esq.
Riley H. Ross III is a Partner at Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC. He has extensive experience in the areas of civil rights litigation, federal criminal law, white-collar criminal defense, Title IX litigation, employment discrimination and general civil litigation. Mr. Ross is an experienced trial lawyer having tried numerous cases in his previous positions as the owner of Ross Legal Practice, LLC; as an attorney with litigation powerhouses Williams & Connolly in Washington, D.C., and Drinker Biddle & Reath, and Tucker Law Group in Philadelphia; and as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in Norfolk, VA. Mr. Ross is the 2023 recipient of The Honorable William F. Hall Award, presented by The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc. and the 2021 recipient of the Champion Award, presented by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Civil and Equal Rights Committee to an individual who champions for civil rights for all Pennsylvanians. Mr. Ross has been named a “2009 Lawyer on The Fast Track,” a “2010 Pennsylvania Rising Star,” and a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer® each year since 2014. Mr. Ross is an active member of the national, state and local legal communities. Mr. Ross is a member and past Chair of the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association. Mr. Ross was appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to serve on the Criminal Procedure Rules Committee and as a Hearing Committee Member for the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Mr. Ross is also an appointed member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Commission. Mr. Ross serves on the Board of Directors of the following organizations: Defenders Association of Philadelphia (Secretary); American Civil Liberties Union – Pennsylvania (ACLU-PA, Vice President); No Longer Bound; and Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. Mr. Ross is an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association by serving as a member of the House of Delegates; and as a member of Civil and Equal Rights Committee, the Minority Bar Committee and the Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee. Mr. Ross is also a member of the Villanova Law Inn of Courts. Mr. Ross is also licensed to practice in Virginia and the District of Columbia. Mr. Ross received a B.S. in Psychology from Longwood College, a M.A. in Experimental Psychology from Western Kentucky University and a J.D. from the University of Virginia. After law school, Mr. Ross clerked for the Honorable James C. Cacheris, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Nancy Conrad, Esq.
Ms. Conrad is a partner in the Commercial Litigation Department and Chair of the Higher Education Practice Group with White and Williams LLP, resident in Center Valley. She practices in the area of employment law and litigation with a focus on representing businesses, educational institutions and non-profit organizations in all aspects of workplace disputes. In addition to representing management in employee relations matters, Ms. Conrad’s practice includes the defense of federal and state discrimination claims, wrongful discharge claims, whistleblower claims, employment contract matters and restrictive covenant cases. Ms. Conrad’s practice includes representing colleges and universities in employment and education law matters with an emphasis on tenure related disputes and student discipline proceedings. Ms. Conrad also conducts investigations related to compliance, personnel and misconduct. Ms. Conrad received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Lycoming College and her M.Ed., summa cum laude, from The Pennsylvania State University and her J.D., cum laude, from Temple University School of Law. Ms. Conrad has been selected in a survey of her peers as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer and in The Best Lawyers of America. She has received the Athena Award from the Chamber of Commerce, and the Take the Lead Award from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and has been named by Lehigh Valley Business as a Woman of Influence. In May 2019, Ms. Conrad received the Anne X. Alpern Award from the PBA WIP and in 2022 and 2023, was named on the Lehigh Valley Business Power List in Law. Ms. Conrad is President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and a Past President of the Lehigh County Bar Association. Ms. Conrad is a Past Woman Governor on the PBA Board of Governors and a Past Chair of the PBA DEI Team. She is a Past Chair of the PBA Labor and Employment Law Section and a Past Chair of the PBA Commission on Women in the Legal Profession. Ms. Conrad currently serves as a Vice-Chair of the PBA Federal Practice Committee and serves on the PBA Civil Litigation Section Council and Labor Employment Section Council. Ms. Conrad is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys. Ms. Conrad is a certified Level 2 Civil Rights Investigator, and Title IX Hearing Officer.

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