Title IX of the Education Amendments is a law that prohibits discriminatory acts committed against students, staff, and faculty in institutions that are federally funded. This law is commonly enforced on college and university campuses.
Title IX states that “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal funding.”
Although this law is referenced in a variety of contexts, such as women's intercollegiate sports teams and students' accessibility to women's resources on campus, it has been recently commonly applied to a controversial topic: sexual misconduct.
Sexual misconduct falls under the umbrella of gender-based discrimination in accordance with Title IX. Once schools are informed of an instance of sexual misconduct through a report, they are obligated by law to investigate, reprimand and aid in convicting students found guilty of this offense. These instances are reported at staggering rates across campuses nationwide, and the treatment of those involved from the school is seemingly always in question.
The Benefits of Choosing an Attorney as Your Title IX Advisor
Federal law allows for both an accuser and the accused to choose an advisor to assist them when processes are being carried out by a school. Although an accused student has the freedom to choose anyone, they should consider selecting an attorney. Here are a few of the advantages of hiring an attorney to be your Title IX advisor:
An attorney will hold your college or university accountable for its actions
Unfortunately, not all schools play by the rules. And in these cases, higher education institutions have been known to stray from their own policy when it comes to cases of this nature. Although you may have access to your school's policy and may be able to identify your school's unfair treatment towards you, you won't be able to effectively object to your school's practices. An attorney, however, has the authority to issue a “litigation hold” letter to an institution. This notice notifies school authorities that the mistreatment of the accused could lead to legal action if it continues.
An attorney will not disclose confidential information
Schools typically recommend that accused students choose its appointed Title IX advisor to help them through this processes. They will likely give you this convincing spiel about how this individual has received extensive training in Title IX processes and is best suitable for helping you prepare a defense. But what they aren't telling you that this person is likely employed by the school. This means that any point they can use the information you've disclosed to them against you in a hearing, or more importantly, in a criminal trial if charges are brought by an accuser. A legal professional has no incentive to reveal confidential information. Their main duty is to ensure that your rights and protections aren't being stripped by your school.
Experienced Michigan Title IX Advisor
If you attend a Michigan college or university and are facing allegations of sexual misconduct, you should immediately consult with a professional who is determined to make certain your academic and professional goals are not impeded. Skilled Title IX advisor Joseph D. Lento is here to help you every step of the way. Contact him today.
Michigan colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's Title IX advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Adrian College
- Albion College
- Alma College
- Alpena Community College
- Andrews University
- Aquinas College
- Baker College Center for Graduate Studies
- Baker College of Allen Park
- Baker College of Auburn Hills
- Baker College of Cadillac
- Baker College of Clinton Township
- Baker College of Flint
- Baker College of Jackson
- Baker College of Muskegon
- Baker College of Owosso
- Baker College of Port Huron
- Bay de Noc Community College
- Bay Mills Community College
- Calvin College
- Central Michigan University
- Cleary University
- College for Creative Studies
- Compass College of Cinematic Arts
- Concordia University Ann Arbor
- Cornerstone University
- Davenport University
- Delta College
- DeVry University Michigan
- Eastern Michigan University
- Ferris State University
- Finlandia University
- Glen Oaks Community College
- Gogebic Community College
- Grace Bible College
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Grand Valley State University
- Great Lakes Christian College
- Henry Ford Community College
- Hope College
- International Academy of Design and Technology Troy
- ITT Technical Institute Canton
- ITT Technical Institute Dearborn
- ITT Technical Institute Swartz Creek
- ITT Technical Institute Troy
- ITT Technical Institute Wyoming
- Jackson Community College
- Kalamazoo College
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College
- Kellogg Community College
- Kettering University
- Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
- Kirtland Community College
- Kuyper College
- Lake Michigan College
- Lake Superior State University
- Lansing Community College
- Lawrence Technological University
- Macomb Community College
- Madonna University
- Marygrove College
- Michigan Jewish Institute
- Michigan State University
- Michigan Technological University
- Mid Michigan Community College
- Monroe County Community College
- Montcalm Community College
- Mott Community College
- Muskegon Community College
- North Central Michigan College
- Northern Michigan University
- Northwestern Michigan College
- Northwood University Michigan
- Oakland Community College
- Oakland University
- Olivet College
- Rochester College
- Sacred Heart Major Seminary
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College
- Saginaw Valley State University
- Sanford Brown College Dearborn
- Sanford Brown College Grand Rapids
- Schoolcraft College
- Siena Heights University
- South University Novi
- Southwestern Michigan College
- Spring Arbor University
- St Clair County Community College
- The Art Institute of Michigan
- University of Detroit Mercy
- University of Michigan Ann Arbor
- University of Michigan Dearborn
- University of Michigan Flint
- University of Phoenix Metro Detroit Campus
- University of Phoenix West Michigan Campus
- Washtenaw Community College
- Wayne County Community College District
- Wayne State University
- West Shore Community College
- Western Michigan University
- Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit
Title IX violations and Title IX charges can change an accused student's life if not defended against properly and as early as possible during the disciplinary process, and Joseph D. Lento has nearly a decade of experience passionately fighting for the future of his clients at universities and colleges throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead, prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as a Title IX advisor and educational consultant to students facing disciplinary cases in Michigan and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Title IX attorney Joseph D. Lento today.
