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"With changes in federal law related to many legal issues that our university could face in today’s changing higher education environment, we need exceptional leadership and service. That’s exactly what we’re getting through our relationship with Hayley Hanson and Husch Blackwell."

–University President

Overview

Focused on education law, Hayley guides higher education clients through compliance, governance and operational issues, including the most complex and sensitive matters of campus life.

Hayley has more than 20 years’ experience in education law. Private and public universities and colleges, major research institutions and academic medical centers are just a few of the Higher Education clients relying on her guidance. Hayley understands that rigorous compliance audits, policies and training are the way forward to meeting and exceeding benchmarks in this highly regulated environment. She is skilled at helping clients navigate what can be especially challenging issues such as social media, Greek life and sexual assault allegations. Hayley ensures that the firm’s Education team stays current on numerous statutes impacting the day-to-day of campus life, including:

  • Title IX
  • Title VI
  • Title VII
  • Clery Act
  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
  • Title IV Federal Student Aid

When disputes arise, Hayley works with clients to map best paths forward. She is a skilled investigator, leading experienced teams through sophisticated analysis and meticulously gathering information on uneasy matters. In litigation, arbitration and mediation, she seeks not only to best position institutions for optimal outcomes, but to close gaps in compliance so as to mitigate future exposure and create best possible student experiences.

Hayley’s advocacy extends beyond her legal work with clients and as sole outside counsel to myriad institutions. A nationally recognized speaker, Hayley presents at webinars and conferences for leading industry organizations including the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), Higher Learning Commission, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Campus Safety Summit and Jana’s Campaign. Hayley also regularly collaborates with United Educators on presentations that help institutions proactively manage and mitigate risk.

"With changes in federal law related to many legal issues that our university could face in today’s changing higher education environment, we need exceptional leadership and service. That’s exactly what we’re getting through our relationship with Hayley Hanson and Husch Blackwell."

–University President

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • Benchmark Litigation, Local Litigation Star, 2025
  • Chambers USA, Higher Education, Nationwide, 2024
  • Corporate Counsel, Women, Influence & Power in Law, Mental Health & Well Being Initiative, 2024
  • Debate Kansas City, Volunteer of the Year, 2012
  • Ingram’s magazine, “40 Under Forty,” 2013
  • Ingram's 250, 2023
  • Kansas City Business Journal, Best of the Bar, 2017-2018
  • The Legal 500 United States
    • Education, Recommended attorney, 2023 and 2024
  • Nonprofit Connect, Rising Star of Philanthropy, 2013
  • Northwest Missouri State University, Young Alumni Award, 2008
  • Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers, Schools & Education, 2013-2019
  • Missouri Lawyers Weekly, Up and Coming Lawyer, 2008, Women's Justice Awards, 2017

Education

  • J.D., Drake Law School
    • with high honors
    • Drake Law Review, executive editor
  • B.A., Northwest Missouri State University
    • magna cum laude

Admissions

  • Missouri
  • Kansas

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • The Missouri Bar
  • Missouri Council of School Attorneys
  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
  • National Council of School Attorneys
Experience
  • Proactive Programming – Hayley’s experience with college and university compliance programs includes legal compliance auditing of institutional systems, creating or revising policies and procedures, and guiding development of compliance systems, as well as establishing and delivering institution-wide training programs. Her services enhance institutional processes to help ensure full compliance with required guidance and regulations.
  • Title IX – Hayley applies her deep understanding of issues surrounding gender equity and sexual misconduct to guide institutions in preventing and responding to allegations of sex discrimination in their programs and activities. She has conducted investigations on behalf of institutions, guided numerous institutions in responding to U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights complaints, represented colleges and universities in Title IX litigation, and conducted legal compliance audits surrounding discrimination prevention response systems at a range of institutions.
  • Government Investigations and Federal Student Aid Program Review – Hayley applies her experience with government investigations (including U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights investigations), program reviews and audits to assist institutions in demonstrating compliance and administrative capability.
  • Litigation – Through more than a decade of litigation experience representing educational institutions, Hayley has developed the skills and insight to best position institutions should suits arise. She has repeatedly succeeded in obtaining dismissals and summary judgment for institutions in student and employee litigation, as well as in alternative dispute resolution and trial settings.
  • Accreditation – Hayley assists in matters of accreditation, securing initial approvals, preparing for site visits, structuring changes of control and responding to accreditor concerns and sanctions.
White Papers | March 2021
2021 NCAA Compliance Report: The Changing Context of College Athletics

How to think about the coming year and the issues that will drive the conversation around college sports.

Legal Updates | October 11, 2019
Troubling Trends in Collegiate Sports, Is Your Institution Prepared?

Just under half (49.41%) of survey respondents indicated that their institution has no formal document describing the independent medical model of care adopted by their school.

Webinar | May 1, 2024
Updates on Title IX Regulations
Speaking Engagements | July 26, 2023
Speaker, "Title IX and Athletics," WAICU Compliance Summit
Speaking Engagements | July 26-28, 2022
Speaker, 2022 WAICU Summit on Diversity and Compliance
Webinar | April 12, 2022
Breaking Down Clery Act Challenges
Speaking Engagements | April 14 - 16, 2021
Speaker, Virtual Gulf Coast Campus Safety Summit
Speaking Engagements | April 5-9, 2021
Speaker, HLC 2021 Annual Conference
Webinar | March 25, 2021
Title IX Advanced Training
Webinar | January 27, 2021
Title IX Training 2021 - January 27th
Webinar | October 14, 2020
Title IX Training 2020 - October 14th
Webinar | September 11, 2020
Title IX Training 2020 - September 11, 2020
Webinar | September 3, 2020
Title IX Training 2020 - September 3, 2020
Webinar | August 4, 2020
Title IX Training 2020 - August 4, 2020
Webinar | July 31, 2020
Clery in Light of COVID-19

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | July 23, 2020
Title IX Training 2020 - July 23, 2020
Webinar | June 22, 2020
Return to Sport from COVID-19

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | May 11, 2020
Final Title IX Regulations and Their Effect on Your Campus

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | February 24, 2020
U.S. Department of Education New Regulations for 2020

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | November 12, 2019
403(b) Crunch Time

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

Webinar | October 24, 2019
Interassociation Recommendations: Preventing Catastrophic Injury and Death in College Athletics

Issues in Higher Education Webinar Series

News Releases | May 02, 2022
Former Univ. of Missouri System General Counsel Joins Husch Blackwell

Husch Blackwell is pleased to announce that Steve Owens has joined the firm’s Kansas City office as senior counsel in its Higher Education practice group after serving as the general counsel of the University of Missouri System for the past 14 years.

News Releases | January 15, 2020
U.S. Council for Athletes' Health and Husch Blackwell Announce Launch of Athletics Healthcare Compliance Platform

The platform operates as an all-in-one tool to assist with the delivery and execution of compliance requirements by all stakeholders in higher education athletic programs.

Community Leadership
  • Debate Kansas City, Board of Directors, 2005-2016
  • Kansas City Friends of the Zoo, Board of Directors, 2008-present
  • Teach for America/Kansas City, Board of Directors, 2013-present