In April of 2024, the Department of Education approved New Title IX rules, which are scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2024. Our firm is closely monitoring ongoing challenges to these new rules in court, and is working hard to provide you the most up-to-date information. Click here to learn about the current state of Title IX and how we can help if you are facing accusations.
Title IX is a federal civil rights law that has been implemented and enforced in the majority of educational institutions in Michigan. It extends to all of the state's federally funded colleges and universities. Title IX prohibits gender-based discrimination, which includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other acts that could potentially create a hostile environment for members of the college community.
In the event that a student is found “responsible” for violating Title IX, he or she has the right to appeal this determination and/or sanction.
Your Right to Appeal
The right to appeal is one of the most crucial rights for student respondents. Much like the criminal justice system, the appellate process in school settings keeps institutions accountable for the decisions they make. As many students have unfortunately discovered, schools authorities are not infallible and are capable of making mistakes that can jeopardize a student's academic and professional career. This is why it's important student respondents are encouraged to take advantage of their right to appeal a Title IX case outcome. A successful appeal will ensure that, as far as possible, the decision made in your case is correct and fair.
Any inquiries about the appellate process and your course of action in your unique circumstance should be discussed with a student defense attorney. A legal professional can help you write an effective and compelling appeal.
Grounds for an Appeal
In order for an appeal to be granted, it must be based on specific grounds. Valid grounds for an appeal are usually strictly related to issues involving the procedural methods in the disciplinary process. Contrary to popular belief, an appeal is not the time to continue claiming your innocence, but to highlight the issues that made your case unfair. Essentially, a decision to appeal a determination and/or sanction boils down to you and your appeal advisors ability to compellingly establish at least one of four specific grounds:
- Disproportionate sanction: the sanction(s) imposed is unduly disproportionate to the severity of the alleged violation.
- Procedural error: a vital error made at some point in the disciplinary process influenced the outcome of a determination and/or sanction.
- A violation of due process rights: a student was stripped of their rights entitled under Title IX and school policy.
- New evidence available: evidence that could have backed the case of a respondent, and have a substantial impact on a case outcome became available after a hearing.
Michigan Title IX Appeal Advisor
If you are a student attending a Michigan college or university who is appealing a Title IX case outcome, you need the help of a skilled student defense attorney. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has helped numerous students win appeals and get their determinations and sanctions overturned. He can do the same for you. Contact him today online or at 888-535-3686.
- 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
A Title IX finding of responsibility can change an accused student's life if not properly addressed and appealed, and Joseph D. Lento has a decade of experience passionately fighting for the futures 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 New Jersey and New York, 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.
