With an in-house background at a state university, Marissa assists the firm’s education clients with a variety of legal matters.
Marissa chose to pursue a law career out of a desire to have a positive impact. She knew the education sector would be a perfect fit for this goal—as well as a fascinating area of law, touching a broad spectrum of practices.
After law school, Marissa immediately took an in-house role in the general counsel’s office at the University of Kansas, where she represented the school, its medical center and its athletics department in a diverse array of matters, including regulatory compliance, student conduct, labor and employment, faculty grievances, contract negotiations, general litigation and international affairs. She led faculty and staff misconduct hearings, negotiated agreements with foreign institutions, and conducted legal research and drafted pleadings and motions on issues such as Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.
Today, Marissa represents educational institutions in litigation involving civil rights, class action claims and employment disputes. She also assists with policy review, provides counsel on compliance with education-related statutes and regulations, and guides clients through both internal and government investigations.
Marissa’s in-house background means that she understands education clients’ perspective: she knows how matters are often handled within universities, she knows what academic institutions need from legal counsel, and she grasps the internal politics and challenges that may influence a situation. She’s an effective problem solver known for her communication skills and her solid understanding of the academic world.