Higher Education Mediation
Mediator for Disputes Involving Colleges and Universities
Cooper Shattuck understands the overall organization and structure of colleges and universities.
Having served as General Counsel for Alabama’s largest university and employer during one of the most challenging times for colleges and universities in the U.S., Cooper grasps the challenges facing universities, such as Title IX, compliance, NCAA and athletics, governance, risk management, and the importance of bringing process to the chaos, making him one of the most experienced higher education attorneys in Alabama.
In his role as General Counsel of The University of Alabama System, Cooper advised the System’s Chancellor, Board, and other System and campus administrators on a full gamut of legal issues ranging from Title IX, compliance, and NCAA and athletics to governance, risk management, and other higher education matters.
Cooper now utilizes that experience to mediate cases involving colleges and universities throughout the United States on the following issues:
Higher Education Experience
Title IX
During Cooper’s tenure as General Counsel, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice, Congress, and the White House issued numerous forms of guidance including the Campus SAVE Act, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization, as well as several Dear Colleague letters.
In addition to these mandates, there were countless high-profile Title IX cases at universities as well as inflammatory documentaries and news articles. The presence of all these put enormous pressures on universities to implement effective Title IX policies and conduct fair and equitable investigations, even though the mandates have not provided adequate guidance.
Cooper assists parties throughout the United States mediating Title IX related matters involving colleges and universities. He also serves as a Title IX hearing officer.
Compliance
As General Counsel, Cooper Shattuck worked closely with The University of Alabama System’s three campuses on their compliance with federal and state statutes, as well as with SACSCOC accreditation and compliance.
In his private practice, Cooper has also assisted the Governor of Alabama, the Alabama Community College System, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) on policy issues.
Cooper assists parties throughout the United States mediating the following types of college and university compliance matters:
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Federal statutes such as ADA, VAWA, Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, HIPAA, FLSA, FMLA and FERPA
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State statutes such as ethics, constitutional and statutory requirements, open meetings, open records, and student benefits
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Compliance with SACSCOC accreditation
NCAA and Athletics
As General Counsel for The University of Alabama System, Cooper managed (National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) matters for three diverse university athletics programs at The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and The University of Alabama in Huntsville. From issues dealing with investigations and compliance to financial and contract issues, Cooper has experienced it all.
Cooper assists parties throughout the United States mediating the following types of NCAA and athletics matters:
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NCAA rules and regulations
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NCAA investigations
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Coaches contracts
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Hazing
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Title IX
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Licensing
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Litigation
Hazing
The University of Alabama has one of the largest Greek student populations in the United States.
As General Counsel, Cooper frequently dealt with issues regarding fraternities and sororities on campus.
Cooper assists parties throughout the United States mediating college and university hazing matters.
Discrimination
As General Counsel, Cooper played a crucial role in the desegregation of The University of Alabama Greek system.
He dealt not only with student discrimination issues but also with faculty and staff discrimination issues.
Cooper assists parties throughout the United States mediating discrimination matters involving students, faculty, and staff of colleges and universities, including:
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Sex discrimination
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Sexual harassment
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Age discrimination
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Race discrimination
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National origin discrimination
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Gender discrimination
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Disability
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ADA compliance
Student Disciplinary Matters
With over 65,000 students in the UA System, Cooper had the opportunity to deal with a wide assortment of student disciplinary matters including, but not limited to, Title IX, sexual harassment, hazing, drug and alcohol issues, Student Code of Conduct violations, and academic misconduct.
Cooper now assists parties throughout the United States by mediating college and university student disciplinary matters including:
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Title IX
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Hazing
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Cheating
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Student deaths
Faculty and Staff Issues
With over 38,000 employees in the UA System, Cooper dealt with a wide assortment of issues including, but not limited to, research issues, commercialization of research activities, Faculty and Staff Handbook violations, promotion, compensation, and severance.
Cooper now assists parties throughout the United States by mediating college and university faculty and staff matters including:
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Licensing
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Patents
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Copyright
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Employment issues
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Benefits
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Tenure
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Contract disputes
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Ethics
