Title IX attorney in Evanston.

Every school runs its Title IX process by its own written rules, and the school has its own interests to protect. An attorney at your side helps make sure the evidence is gathered properly, the process stays fair to you, and you are protected if anyone retaliates.

What Title IX covers

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 applies to education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, from elementary schools to universities. It reaches sexual harassment, sexual violence, discrimination based on sex or gender, retaliation, and failures by the institution itself. Title IX and related laws also address discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity or expression. The conduct can come from students, professors, teachers, coaches or anyone else in the school community.

Who Frances helps

Frances helps students, survivors and other individuals involved in Title IX complaints and proceedings at K-12 schools, colleges and universities. She also brings Title IX and related claims in court when a school’s process does not resolve the problem, or when the school itself failed to respond as the law requires.

Why the school’s process is hard to navigate alone

Federal regulations set detailed rules for Title IX grievance procedures, which have changed more than once in recent years, and each school adds its own written policies. Students may not know how to present their case, what evidence to gather, or what rights they have during investigations and hearings. That puts them at a real disadvantage in a process the institution designed and runs.

The Title IX coordinator and supportive measures

Every school covered by Title IX must designate a Title IX coordinator and publish how to reach them, and reports usually start there. Schools can also offer supportive measures while a matter is pending, such as changes to class schedules or housing, no-contact directives, extensions on coursework, or access to counseling. These are meant to protect your education. If you need changes to feel safe at school, ask in writing, keep a copy, and tell Frances what was offered.

Reporting and a formal complaint are different steps

Telling the school what happened and making a formal complaint are not always the same thing. A report puts the school on notice; a formal complaint usually starts an investigation and a grievance process. Some students want supportive measures without an investigation, at least at first. Frances can explain the difference at your school and what each choice would set in motion, so the decision is yours and it is informed.

State law can add protections

Many states have their own requirements. Some require colleges and universities to adopt comprehensive policies on sexual violence, and some state civil rights laws address sexual harassment in education in some circumstances. State law claims, such as contract or personal injury claims, can apply as well, even at schools outside federal funding.

Retaliation at school

Title IX prohibits retaliation against anyone who reports sex discrimination or takes part in a Title IX process, including as a witness. Retaliation can look like changed grades, a lost team place, discipline, or pressure from school staff. If it happens, it is a separate problem the school must address. For retaliation at work, see retaliation.

What to keep

Keep copies of everything: messages with the other party, reports you made, the school’s notices and decisions, and notes of meetings with school officials, including dates and who was present. Ask for the school’s Title IX policy in writing. Records made at the time are often the most useful.

When the school is also your workplace

Teachers, coaches and other school employees can be covered by Title IX and by employment laws such as Title VII and state fair employment laws. If the harassment happened in your job, see sexual and other harassment, and employment discrimination for how those laws apply at work.