New York Title IX Defense Lawyers
Comprehensive Title IX Defense Across New York
Most educational institutions receive federal funding, which makes them subject to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. This federal law bans discrimination based on sex in all education programs, including those outside the classroom. When someone files a Title IX complaint, the educational institution must investigate and conduct disciplinary hearings. If you face a Title IX violation, your professional reputation, academic career, and even your freedom may be at stake.
At Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein, we provide legal representation for individuals accused of Title IX violations. Our New York Title IX defense lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience and understand how schools adjudicate these cases. You will work directly with one of our attorneys, who will defend your interests throughout every stage of the Title IX process.
We have a strong track record of securing favorable results for our clients, and our legal professionals will take every measure to seek the best possible outcome for you.
Call Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein today at (888) 646-0025 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our Title IX attorney in New York!
What Is Considered a Title IX Violation in New York?
A person commits a Title IX violation if they engage in discrimination based on sex. This includes all types of sexual violence.
Sex-based discrimination can take many forms, including:
- Sexual assault
- Sexual harassment
- Creating or contributing to a hostile environment
It is also illegal to retaliate against someone for exercising their Title IX rights. In other words, someone accused of a Title IX violation cannot mistreat the person who filed the complaint, even if the allegations are not true. Examples of unlawful retaliation include demotion, lower grades without justification, and threats of suspension or expulsion.
The scope of Title IX violations can vary, as institutions adopt different definitions that may extend beyond legal interpretations. For example, some schools may flag certain aggressive speech even when it does not meet broader legal standards for harassment.
New York’s approach to Title IX connects with state initiatives, such as the “Enough is Enough” law (Article 129-B), which requires all colleges and universities to set clear sexual misconduct policies and make procedures public. In situations where federal and state policies overlap, legal guidance can clarify your options and help you avoid actions that might harm your standing with the institution.
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Attentive Service. Strategic Defense.
Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein is here to help you get the results you need with a team you can trust.
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Personalized Legal StrategyWe don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every case is handled with a custom legal approach tailored to your goals, your circumstances, and your future.
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We offer a risk-free evaluation of your case and are here to help you understand your legal options. We are available 24/7, day or night, to help you.
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Nationally recognized for results. Our attorneys have been ranked among the best in the U.S., Trusted for their strategy, skill, and relentless client advocacy
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Former ProsecutorsOur founding partners are both former New York prosecutors who bring unique experience and insights to every case, especially when it comes to going to trial.
What are the Consequences of a Title IX Violation?
A finding of responsibility for a Title IX violation is a permanent, life-altering sanction that is generally far more damaging to a young person’s future than a misdemeanor conviction.
- Expulsion or Suspension: The most common and immediate consequence, resulting in the loss of tuition, loss of all credits for the semester, and a devastating interruption to one's academic path.
- Transcript Notation: The record of disciplinary action for a Title IX violation (often labeled as "Found Responsible for Sexual Misconduct") is typically permanent and will be disclosed to future graduate schools, professional licensing boards, and employers.
- Ineligibility for Education: An expelled student may be permanently ineligible for transfer or admission to other universities, effectively ending their higher education career.
- Career and Licensing Barriers: Professional licensing boards (Law, Medicine, Nursing) view findings of sexual misconduct as evidence of a lack of moral character and professional fitness, leading to automatic denial or revocation of licensure.
- Loss of Financial Aid/Scholarships: A suspension or expulsion can immediately void scholarships, grants, and federal financial aid eligibility.
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They treated me wonderfully and helped me out of a bind. I feel that this firm really cares.- Michelle A.
How Does the Title IX Complaint & Investigation Process Work in New York?
When someone files a Title IX complaint with their local Office for Civil Rights, the relevant educational institution must investigate, even if there is no clear evidence supporting the allegations. The subject of the complaint receives a formal notice and time to prepare for an initial interview. If you receive this notice, do not wait to contact our New York Title IX defense attorneys. We address essential steps immediately to protect your interests.
An appointed investigator will conduct interviews and collect evidence. Unfortunately, investigators may introduce bias or make errors as they interpret evidence. Recently, the growing number of Title IX cases has pressured schools to accelerate investigations, sometimes causing them to overlook important facts. In some cases, investigators may miss evidence favorable to the accused.
Both parties have the right to submit evidence, including relevant witness testimony. The institution must give everyone at least ten days to review and respond to all gathered evidence.
Next comes a Title IX hearing, which, in many respects, resembles a trial. Each party can call and cross-examine witnesses. A decision-maker employed by the institution decides whether the accused committed a Title IX violation.
Depending on your position within the school or college, penalties for a Title IX offense may include:
- A formal warning
- Probation
- Mandatory counseling
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Loss of employment
- Loss of tenure
- Loss of scholarships or financial aid
- Restitution
- Withholding or revocation of a degree
- Criminal charges
The investigation can affect the outcome of a hearing, which makes legal counsel important. Large caseloads and institutional bias can affect how investigators and decision-makers interpret evidence. We make sure clients stay informed and prepared at every step, working to ensure procedural fairness and minimize the risk of unnecessary penalties.
What is Our Approach to Title IX Violations Defense?
As former prosecutors, Raiser Kenniff, & Lonstein approaches Title IX defense with a litigator's mindset, focusing on exposing holes in the accuser's narrative and ensuring the school follows strict procedures.
- Challenging the Allegations of Consent: We analyze communication and behavioral evidence before, during, and after the incident to show the conduct was consensual, or that consent was not effectively revoked. We use the affirmative consent definition to our advantage.
- The Credibility Attack: Our firm focuses on inconsistent statements, contradictory texts, and motives for misrepresentation to undermine the credibility of the accuser, a strategy where our former trial experience is decisive.
- Procedural Due Process Violations: Schools frequently make errors that violate the accused's due process rights (e.g., failure to provide all evidence, insufficient notice of charges, biased investigators). We document every procedural error to use as grounds for appeal or legal challenge in court.
- Parallel Criminal Exposure: When the incident is also reported to police, our firm manages the Title IX defense with an eye toward the criminal case, advising the student on their Fifth Amendment rights to prevent self-incrimination.
Contact Our New York Title IX Lawyers Today
Facing any type of Title IX complaint can be enormously stressful, especially with so much on the line. At Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein, P.C., we are committed to protecting your due process rights. Our New York Title IX defense lawyers know how to represent clients effectively in these cases and will be by your side throughout the process.
Contact Raiser, Kenniff & Lonstein by calling (888) 646-0025 today to meet with our Title IX lawyer in New York!