NEW LAWYERS WORKSHOP - NACUA 2026 Annual Conference

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Session 2. Faculty 101: Critical Issues Every Higher Ed Lawyer Needs to Know

Nuances of faculty employment relationships, including tenure, contracts, and unionization
Faculty duties, responsibilities, performance assessments, and disciplinary measures for misconduct
Intersection of faculty speech with academic freedom and free expression
Emerging developments in faculty affairs, including recent case law and landmark cases

Justin Sorrell, Senior Associate General Counsel, University of North Florida

Martha Kim, Senior University Counsel, Stanford University

1:15 PM – 1:45 PM (Microsession)

Session 4. Super Anxious Ultra Modern Ethical Lawyer: Addressing Workplace Mental Health  

Discuss unique stressors, from managing crises to balancing complex ethical obligations, lawyers in higher education face
Explore the impact of mental health challenges on legal competence and ethical duties including:
- Confidentiality;
- The pressures of higher education legal roles;
- Ethical considerations when supporting colleagues; and
- Strategies for maintaining well-being
Offer practical guidance, including ABA ethics opinions and a review of relevant ethical rules to help lawyers navigate these challenges while fostering a healthier work environment

Destinee Waiters, Senior Associate General Counsel, Suffolk University

Alexandra Mitropoulos, Counsel, Nixon Peabody LLP

3:15 PM – 4:15PM

Session 6B. Wheels Up! – Navigating University International Programs

Understand different frameworks for evaluating international initiatives
Review select U.S. and foreign law compliance issues and discuss recent trends and hot topics – e.g., international employment; foreign taxation; export controls; foreign influence; international student recruitment; online and remote learning; global data privacy; and international student health and safety concerns
Share unique contract terms, tips, and strategies to negotiate cross-border contracts

Bill Ferreira, Partner, Hogan Lovells US LLP

Emma Bahner, Senior Associate, XL Law & Consulting P.A.

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Session 7B. The Mechanics of a Deal—Unique Aspects of Contracting for Higher Education Institutions

Unique issues related to contract administration on college and university campuses
The role of counsel in contract administration
Who is entering into contracts at your university? Signature authority and policies related to contract administration
Key contractual provisions
Practical take-aways related to contract review

Art Lee, Chief Campus Counsel, Stony Brook University

Esther Walker, Associate General Counsel, Dartmouth College

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM

Session 9A. Campus Safety: the Clery Act and Beyond

Introduction to the Clery Act, including the history and objectives of the law
Discussion of the main components of Clery compliance, including reporting and disclosure of crime statistics in the ASR, the crime log, timely warnings and emergency notifications, and policy disclosures
Exploration of the Clery Handbook—What is it, how is it used in practice, and does it contain the answer to my question?
Overview of enforcement actions, program reviews, and fines
Overlap with campus safety issues such as threat assessment/response, CARE/BIT teams

John Graff, Attorney, Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP

Michelle Tellock, Deputy General Counsel, Vanderbilt University