Title IX law is in constant flux, with new rules and legal challenges continuing to shape how schools, colleges, and other institutions handle sex-based misconduct and discrimination.  Our firm closely monitors these developments and is committed to providing the most current information available. Click here to learn about the current state of Title IX and how we can help if you are facing accusations or other Title IX issues. 

A Title IX violation sanction can be a very difficult thing to deal with. It can affect your academic career and even follow you well after you leave school. However, just because you had a Title IX finding entered against you does not mean that you have no recourse. You can file an appeal against these very serious charges to protect your academic standing, future employment, and your reputation. A reversal of the decision against you is possible, as is a reduction of the sanction imposed upon you.

If you have been found guilty of a Title IX violation in Pennsylvania, highly experienced Title IX appeals attorneys from LLF National Law Firm can fight to have that decision overturned on your behalf. Your rights can still be protected.

Title IX Appeal Attorney in Pennsylvania

LLF National Law Firm has successfully handled hundreds of Title IX cases involving serious allegations of sexual misconduct, including rape and sexual assault, at major colleges and universities nationwide. They are driven and dedicated advocate for students facing Title IX charges.

Your rights deserve to be protected by an attorney highly experienced in fighting Title IX allegations. If you’re facing a Title IX charge or need to appeal a Title IX ruling, call our office at 888.535.3686 to speak to an experienced Title IX lawyer about your case today.

What Is Title IX?

Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Title IX applies to any educational “program or activity” that receives federal funding, including sports. It applies to elementary and secondary schools, high schools, colleges, and universities, and to federally-funded educational programs run by other institutions or businesses.

Title IX’s definition of sex discrimination includes sexual harassment and sexual violence such as:

  • sexual battery,
  • sexual coercion,
  • sexual assault, and
  • rape.

Any college or university that fails to follow Title IX policies risks forfeiting its federal funding. Because of this, many colleges and universities have created the position of Title IX compliance officer.  This is a person dedicated to processing Title IX investigations, hearings, and cases. Schools tend to take these cases very seriously, and in many cases are overzealous in handling them for fear of losing their funding. 

In Title IX cases, the accuser is known as the complainant and the student accused of misconduct is known as the respondent.

Title IX Appeals Process in Pennsylvania

Title IX does not specifically require schools to provide a respondent or complainant the right to file an appeal. Most universities and colleges, however, do permit some type of appeal process.  The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights suggests that schools provide a Title IX appeals process for both the complainant and the respondent.

Every process can be slightly different from school to school. It may set forth different deadlines for filing, officers in charge of the appeal, and many other small details. An experienced appellate attorney can navigate these technical details to make sure your rights are protected.

Common Grounds for Appeal

The grounds you can use to appeal your case will depend greatly on the facts of your case. Ultimately, it will be up to you and your attorney to determine what grounds for appeal exist and how best to proceed in your case. However, some of the following are common grounds for filing a Title IX appeal in Pennsylvania:

  • a procedural error occurred in the initial stages of the Title IX process
  • the school’s Title IX process violates federal law
  • the sanction is excessive based upon the finding (respondent appeal)
  • the sanction is insufficient based upon the finding (complainant appeal)
  • insufficient evidence existed to support the finding
  • the Title IX office failed to follow its own procedure

These different grounds can result in a reversal of the previous findings of the Title IX office at your university. Whether it is you filing the appeal, or the other party, you need highly experienced representation present to protect your rights. If you do not, you run the risk of facing high penalties when you could otherwise have reduced the penalties against you or had them dismissed outright.

Deciding Whether to Appeal

Deciding if you should appeal your case is a crucial decision, and should be done with the help of an experienced lawyer. You can receive harsher sanctions after an appeal, even if you were the one who filed the appeal. If the appeals board found that the sanction was insufficient based upon the original findings, they could actually increase the sanctions. This is not always common, but is something to consider before filing an appeal.

Whether to appeal is a decision best done after consulting with an attorney with years of experience fighting these charges and filing appeals. You do not have to face this difficult time alone.

Contact a Pennsylvania Title IX Appeal Attorney

Title IX allegations and findings can be difficult to handle on your own, but with an experienced attorney at your side you can move forward with confidence that you are doing everything in your power to defend your rights.

If you or your student needs to appeal a Title IX Sexual Misconduct offense, contact Pennsylvania Title IX attorneys at LLF National Law Firm today at 888-535-3686.

Pennsylvania colleges and universities where LLF National Law Firm 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:

Pennsylvania

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